HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice
Questions and Answers Graded A+
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. - Correct answer-A) Note-taking may impede
the nurse's observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors.
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,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 - Correct answer-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.
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,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. - Correct answer-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
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, 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. - Correct answer-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?
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Questions and Answers Graded A+
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. - Correct answer-A) Note-taking may impede
the nurse's observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,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 - Correct answer-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.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,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. - Correct answer-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
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, 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. - Correct answer-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?
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
