HESI A2 CRITICAL THINKING 2026
ANALYTICAL THINKING PRACTICE SET
ANSWERS FULL SOLUTION
◉ 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
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.
◉ 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.
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 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.
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?
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.
Answer: 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?"
Answer: 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?
ANALYTICAL THINKING PRACTICE SET
ANSWERS FULL SOLUTION
◉ 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
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.
◉ 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.
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 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.
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?
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.
Answer: 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?"
Answer: 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?
