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. - 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 - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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?" - 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 - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.
