HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice
Questions
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory
later. Which statement is true regarding note-taking?
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors.
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as the nurse records
what is said.
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention away from the patient, resulting in an
increased comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may increase
his or her level of comfort. - ANS-A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the
patient's nonverbal behaviors.
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-taking may be unavoidable. But be aware that
note-taking during the interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often, and it
shifts attention away from the patient, which diminishes his or her sense of importance. It
also may interrupt the patient's narrative flow, and it impedes the observation of the patient's
nonverbal behavior.
\2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more
about that." Which verbal skill is used with this statement?
A) Reflection
B) Facilitation
C) Direct question
D) Open-ended question - ANS-D) Open-ended question
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for narrative information. It states the topic to be
discussed but only in general terms. The nurse should use it to begin the interview, to
introduce a new section of questions, and whenever the person introduces a new topic.
\3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on all of the patients attending a wellness
workshop. On the history form, one of the written questions asks, "You don't smoke, drink, or
take drugs, do you?" This question is an example of:
A) talking too much.
B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics. - ANS-C) using biased or leading
questions.
Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or biased questions. Asking, "You don't smoke,
do you?" implies that one answer is "better" than another. If the person wants to please
,someone, he or she is either forced to answer in a way corresponding to their implied values
or is made to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
\4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an open position. As the
interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment, however, he suddenly crosses his arms
against his chest and crosses his legs. This would suggest that the parent is:
A) just changing positions.
B) more comfortable in this position.
C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment. - ANS-D) uncomfortable talking about his
son's treatment.
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open position with the extension of large muscle
groups shows relaxation, physical comfort, and a willingness to share information. A closed
position with the arms and legs crossed tends to look defensive and anxious. Note any
change in posture. If a person in a relaxed position suddenly tenses, it suggests possible
discomfort with the new topic.
\5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a hearing impairment. What techniques
would be most beneficial in communicating with this patient?
A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because most hearing-impaired people find this
degrading.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before meeting with him to help facilitate the
communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial movement when talking with him because this
helps with lip reading. - ANS-A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf person the preferred way to communicate—by
signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person prefers lip reading, then the nurse should be
sure to face him or her squarely and have good lighting on the nurse's face. The nurse
should not exaggerate lip movements because this distorts words. Similarly, shouting
distorts the reception of a hearing aid the person may wear. The nurse should speak slowly
and should supplement his or her voice with appropriate hand gestures or pantomime.
\6. The nurse is performing a health interview on a patient who has a language barrier, and
no interpreter is available. Which is the best example of an appropriate question for the
nurse to ask in this situation?
A) "Do you take medicine?"
B) "Do you sterilize the bottles?"
C) "Do you have nausea and vomiting?"
D) "You have been taking your medicine, haven't you?" - ANS-A) "Do you take medicine?"
Page: 46 In a situation where there is a language barrier and no interpreter available, use
simple words avoiding medical jargon. Avoid using contractions and pronouns. Use nouns
repeatedly and discuss one topic at a time.
\7. A female patient does not speak English well, and the nurse needs to choose an
interpreter. Which of the following would be the most appropriate choice?
,A) A trained interpreter
B) A male family member
C) A female family member
D) A volunteer college student from the foreign language studies department - ANS-A) A
trained interpreter
Page: 46 whenever possible, the nurse should use a trained interpreter, preferably one who
knows medical terminology. In general, an older, more mature interpreter is preferred to a
younger, less experienced one, and the same gender is preferred when possible.
\8. The nurse is conducting an interview. Which of these statements is true regarding
open-ended questions? Select all that apply.
A) They elicit cold facts.
B) They allow for self-expression.
C) They build and enhance rapport.
D) They leave interactions neutral.
E) They call for short one- to two-word answers.
F) They are used when narrative information is needed. - ANS-B) They allow for
self-expression.
C) They build and enhance rapport.
F) They are used when narrative information
Page: 32 Open-ended questions allow for self-expression, build rapport, and obtain narrative
information. These features enhance communication during an interview. The other
statements are appropriate for closed or direct questions.
\9. The nurse is conducting an interview in an outpatient clinic and is using a computer to
record data. Which is the best use of the computer in this situation? Select all that apply.
A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to-face manner.
B) Enter all the data as the patient states it.
C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters data.
D) Type the data into the computer after the narrative is fully explored.
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during typing. - ANS-A) Collect the patient's data in a
direct, face-to-face manner.
D) Type the data into the computer after the narrative is fully explored.
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during typing.
Page: 32 The use of a computer can become a barrier. The nurse should begin the interview
as usual by greeting the patient, establishing rapport, and collecting the patient's narrative
story in a direct face-to-face manner. Only after the narrative is fully explored should the
nurse type data into the computer. When typing, the nurse should position the monitor so
that the patient can see it.
\10. During an assessment, the nurse notices that a patient is handling a small charm that is
tied to a leather strip around his neck. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?
A) Ask the patient about the item and its significance.
B) Ask the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe.
, C) Tell the patient that a family member should take valuables home.
D) No action is necessary. - ANS-A) Ask the patient about the item and its significance.
Page: 21 The nurse should inquire about the amulet's meaning. Amulets, such as charms,
are often seen as an important means of protection from "evil spirits" by some cultures.
\11. In the majority culture of America, coughing, sweating, and diarrhea are symptoms of an
illness. For some individuals of Mexican-American origin, however, these symptoms are a
normal part of living. The nurse recognizes that this is true, probably because
Mexican-Americans:
A) have less efficient immune systems and are often ill.
B) consider these symptoms a part of normal living, not symptoms of ill health.
C) come from Mexico and coughing is normal and healthy there.
D) are usually in a lower socioeconomic group and are more likely to be sick. - ANS-B)
consider these symptoms a part of normal living, not symptoms of ill health.
Page: 27 The nurse needs to identify the meaning of health to the patient, remembering that
concepts are derived, in part, from the way in which members of the cultural group define
health.
\12. Among many Asians there is a belief in the yin/yang theory, rooted in the ancient
Chinese philosophy of Tao. The nurse recognizes which statement that most accurately
reflects "health" in an Asian with this belief?
A) A person is able to work and produce.
B) A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
D) A person is able to care for others and function socially. - ANS-C) All aspects of the
person are in perfect balance.
Page: 21 Many Asians believe in the yin/yang theory, in which health is believed to exist
when all aspects of the person are in perfect balance. The other statements do not describe
this theory.
\13. An individual who takes the magicoreligious perspective of illness and disease is likely
to believe that his or her illness was caused by:
A) germs and viruses.
B) supernatural forces.
C) eating imbalanced foods.
D) an imbalance within his or her spiritual nature. - ANS-B) supernatural forces.
Page: 21 The basic premise of the magicoreligious perspective is that the world is seen as
an arena in which supernatural forces dominate. The fate of the world and those in it
depends on the actions of supernatural forces for good or evil. The other answers do not
reflect the magicoreligious perspective.
\14. If an American Indian has come to the clinic to seek help with regulating her diabetes,
the nurse can expect that she:
A) will comply with the treatment prescribed.
Questions
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory
later. Which statement is true regarding note-taking?
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors.
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as the nurse records
what is said.
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention away from the patient, resulting in an
increased comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may increase
his or her level of comfort. - ANS-A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the
patient's nonverbal behaviors.
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-taking may be unavoidable. But be aware that
note-taking during the interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often, and it
shifts attention away from the patient, which diminishes his or her sense of importance. It
also may interrupt the patient's narrative flow, and it impedes the observation of the patient's
nonverbal behavior.
\2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more
about that." Which verbal skill is used with this statement?
A) Reflection
B) Facilitation
C) Direct question
D) Open-ended question - ANS-D) Open-ended question
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for narrative information. It states the topic to be
discussed but only in general terms. The nurse should use it to begin the interview, to
introduce a new section of questions, and whenever the person introduces a new topic.
\3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on all of the patients attending a wellness
workshop. On the history form, one of the written questions asks, "You don't smoke, drink, or
take drugs, do you?" This question is an example of:
A) talking too much.
B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics. - ANS-C) using biased or leading
questions.
Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or biased questions. Asking, "You don't smoke,
do you?" implies that one answer is "better" than another. If the person wants to please
,someone, he or she is either forced to answer in a way corresponding to their implied values
or is made to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
\4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an open position. As the
interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment, however, he suddenly crosses his arms
against his chest and crosses his legs. This would suggest that the parent is:
A) just changing positions.
B) more comfortable in this position.
C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment. - ANS-D) uncomfortable talking about his
son's treatment.
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open position with the extension of large muscle
groups shows relaxation, physical comfort, and a willingness to share information. A closed
position with the arms and legs crossed tends to look defensive and anxious. Note any
change in posture. If a person in a relaxed position suddenly tenses, it suggests possible
discomfort with the new topic.
\5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a hearing impairment. What techniques
would be most beneficial in communicating with this patient?
A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because most hearing-impaired people find this
degrading.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before meeting with him to help facilitate the
communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial movement when talking with him because this
helps with lip reading. - ANS-A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf person the preferred way to communicate—by
signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person prefers lip reading, then the nurse should be
sure to face him or her squarely and have good lighting on the nurse's face. The nurse
should not exaggerate lip movements because this distorts words. Similarly, shouting
distorts the reception of a hearing aid the person may wear. The nurse should speak slowly
and should supplement his or her voice with appropriate hand gestures or pantomime.
\6. The nurse is performing a health interview on a patient who has a language barrier, and
no interpreter is available. Which is the best example of an appropriate question for the
nurse to ask in this situation?
A) "Do you take medicine?"
B) "Do you sterilize the bottles?"
C) "Do you have nausea and vomiting?"
D) "You have been taking your medicine, haven't you?" - ANS-A) "Do you take medicine?"
Page: 46 In a situation where there is a language barrier and no interpreter available, use
simple words avoiding medical jargon. Avoid using contractions and pronouns. Use nouns
repeatedly and discuss one topic at a time.
\7. A female patient does not speak English well, and the nurse needs to choose an
interpreter. Which of the following would be the most appropriate choice?
,A) A trained interpreter
B) A male family member
C) A female family member
D) A volunteer college student from the foreign language studies department - ANS-A) A
trained interpreter
Page: 46 whenever possible, the nurse should use a trained interpreter, preferably one who
knows medical terminology. In general, an older, more mature interpreter is preferred to a
younger, less experienced one, and the same gender is preferred when possible.
\8. The nurse is conducting an interview. Which of these statements is true regarding
open-ended questions? Select all that apply.
A) They elicit cold facts.
B) They allow for self-expression.
C) They build and enhance rapport.
D) They leave interactions neutral.
E) They call for short one- to two-word answers.
F) They are used when narrative information is needed. - ANS-B) They allow for
self-expression.
C) They build and enhance rapport.
F) They are used when narrative information
Page: 32 Open-ended questions allow for self-expression, build rapport, and obtain narrative
information. These features enhance communication during an interview. The other
statements are appropriate for closed or direct questions.
\9. The nurse is conducting an interview in an outpatient clinic and is using a computer to
record data. Which is the best use of the computer in this situation? Select all that apply.
A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to-face manner.
B) Enter all the data as the patient states it.
C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters data.
D) Type the data into the computer after the narrative is fully explored.
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during typing. - ANS-A) Collect the patient's data in a
direct, face-to-face manner.
D) Type the data into the computer after the narrative is fully explored.
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during typing.
Page: 32 The use of a computer can become a barrier. The nurse should begin the interview
as usual by greeting the patient, establishing rapport, and collecting the patient's narrative
story in a direct face-to-face manner. Only after the narrative is fully explored should the
nurse type data into the computer. When typing, the nurse should position the monitor so
that the patient can see it.
\10. During an assessment, the nurse notices that a patient is handling a small charm that is
tied to a leather strip around his neck. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?
A) Ask the patient about the item and its significance.
B) Ask the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe.
, C) Tell the patient that a family member should take valuables home.
D) No action is necessary. - ANS-A) Ask the patient about the item and its significance.
Page: 21 The nurse should inquire about the amulet's meaning. Amulets, such as charms,
are often seen as an important means of protection from "evil spirits" by some cultures.
\11. In the majority culture of America, coughing, sweating, and diarrhea are symptoms of an
illness. For some individuals of Mexican-American origin, however, these symptoms are a
normal part of living. The nurse recognizes that this is true, probably because
Mexican-Americans:
A) have less efficient immune systems and are often ill.
B) consider these symptoms a part of normal living, not symptoms of ill health.
C) come from Mexico and coughing is normal and healthy there.
D) are usually in a lower socioeconomic group and are more likely to be sick. - ANS-B)
consider these symptoms a part of normal living, not symptoms of ill health.
Page: 27 The nurse needs to identify the meaning of health to the patient, remembering that
concepts are derived, in part, from the way in which members of the cultural group define
health.
\12. Among many Asians there is a belief in the yin/yang theory, rooted in the ancient
Chinese philosophy of Tao. The nurse recognizes which statement that most accurately
reflects "health" in an Asian with this belief?
A) A person is able to work and produce.
B) A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
D) A person is able to care for others and function socially. - ANS-C) All aspects of the
person are in perfect balance.
Page: 21 Many Asians believe in the yin/yang theory, in which health is believed to exist
when all aspects of the person are in perfect balance. The other statements do not describe
this theory.
\13. An individual who takes the magicoreligious perspective of illness and disease is likely
to believe that his or her illness was caused by:
A) germs and viruses.
B) supernatural forces.
C) eating imbalanced foods.
D) an imbalance within his or her spiritual nature. - ANS-B) supernatural forces.
Page: 21 The basic premise of the magicoreligious perspective is that the world is seen as
an arena in which supernatural forces dominate. The fate of the world and those in it
depends on the actions of supernatural forces for good or evil. The other answers do not
reflect the magicoreligious perspective.
\14. If an American Indian has come to the clinic to seek help with regulating her diabetes,
the nurse can expect that she:
A) will comply with the treatment prescribed.
