1
HESI A2 Patient Communication 2025 |
200 Real Exam Q&A with Rationales
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Clarifying Medical Instructions and Ensuring Patient
Understanding.................................................................................................2
Subtopic 2: Emotional Tone, Reassurance, and Compassionate Word Choice
in Nursing Communication.............................................................................10
Subtopic 3: Patient Education and Teaching Techniques Using Clear Language
.......................................................................................................................18
Subtopic 4: Interpreting Patient Questions, Feedback, and Verbal Cues........25
Subtopic 5: Therapeutic Communication and Empathy in Clinical Settings...33
Subtopic 6: Interpreting Tone, Mood, and Contextual Meaning in Medical
Dialogue.........................................................................................................42
Subtopic 7: Interpretation of Figurative and Idiomatic Language in Clinical
Settings..........................................................................................................51
Subtopic 8: Language Precision in Legal, Ethical, and Consent
Communication..............................................................................................59
Subtopic 9: Recognizing Ambiguity and Clarifying Intent in Medical
Conversations................................................................................................67
Subtopic 10: Language Clarity, Cultural Sensitivity, and Therapeutic Use of
Words.............................................................................................................75
, 2
Subtopic 1: Clarifying Medical Instructions and
Ensuring Patient Understanding
Question 1
A nurse tells a patient, "You’ll be NPO after midnight." The patient looks
confused. What should the nurse say next?
A. "You will be asleep during that time."
B. "This means you should not eat or drink anything after midnight."
C. "You need to stop taking your medications at midnight."
D. "You’ll get your medication at midnight."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medical jargon like "NPO" must be clarified in patient-friendly
language. "NPO" means "nothing by mouth," and explaining it ensures
patient compliance.
Question 2
The nurse tells a client they will receive "a diuretic." Which patient response
indicates understanding?
A. “That will help me sleep better.”
B. “That will boost my appetite.”
C. “That will help me get rid of extra fluid.”
D. “That will lower my blood sugar.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diuretics help the body eliminate excess fluid through urination,
commonly used in hypertension and heart failure.
Question 3
, 3
The nurse says, “This medication may cause drowsiness.” What should be
the nurse’s follow-up instruction?
A. “Don’t worry, you’ll sleep well tonight.”
B. “Call your provider if you feel sleepy.”
C. “Avoid driving or using heavy machinery.”
D. “You’ll get used to the sleepiness.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drowsiness can impair activities requiring alertness, so safety
precautions are essential to communicate.
Question 4
A patient asks, “What does ‘benign’ mean?” The best response by the nurse
is:
A. “It’s a dangerous condition.”
B. “It means it spreads quickly.”
C. “It’s not cancerous or harmful.”
D. “It’s an infection in the body.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Benign” refers to a non-cancerous or non-threatening condition;
accurate definition helps reduce patient anxiety.
Question 5
The nurse says, “You’re scheduled for a laparoscopic procedure.” What
should the nurse add to help the patient understand?
A. “It will be painful.”
B. “It will be a long surgery.”
C. “It involves small incisions and a camera to see inside your body.”
D. “It’s a robotic surgery.”
, 4
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Explaining technical terms in plain language improves patient
cooperation and informed consent.
Question 6
Which statement best demonstrates therapeutic communication when
explaining medication side effects?
A. “You won’t have side effects, don’t worry.”
B. “Some people experience nausea, but let me know if you do.”
C. “It’s just a minor effect, ignore it.”
D. “Side effects are normal, you’ll be fine.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging possible side effects and encouraging
communication is a therapeutic and honest approach.
Question 7
A nurse says, “Let me auscultate your lungs.” The patient seems confused.
What should the nurse do?
A. Proceed without explanation.
B. Say, “I’m going to listen to your lungs with my stethoscope.”
C. Ask another nurse to explain.
D. Tell the patient it’s a medical term.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clear communication of actions in layman's terms reduces fear
and confusion in patients.
Question 8
A patient is told their "prognosis is good." What is the nurse's best
explanation?
HESI A2 Patient Communication 2025 |
200 Real Exam Q&A with Rationales
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Clarifying Medical Instructions and Ensuring Patient
Understanding.................................................................................................2
Subtopic 2: Emotional Tone, Reassurance, and Compassionate Word Choice
in Nursing Communication.............................................................................10
Subtopic 3: Patient Education and Teaching Techniques Using Clear Language
.......................................................................................................................18
Subtopic 4: Interpreting Patient Questions, Feedback, and Verbal Cues........25
Subtopic 5: Therapeutic Communication and Empathy in Clinical Settings...33
Subtopic 6: Interpreting Tone, Mood, and Contextual Meaning in Medical
Dialogue.........................................................................................................42
Subtopic 7: Interpretation of Figurative and Idiomatic Language in Clinical
Settings..........................................................................................................51
Subtopic 8: Language Precision in Legal, Ethical, and Consent
Communication..............................................................................................59
Subtopic 9: Recognizing Ambiguity and Clarifying Intent in Medical
Conversations................................................................................................67
Subtopic 10: Language Clarity, Cultural Sensitivity, and Therapeutic Use of
Words.............................................................................................................75
, 2
Subtopic 1: Clarifying Medical Instructions and
Ensuring Patient Understanding
Question 1
A nurse tells a patient, "You’ll be NPO after midnight." The patient looks
confused. What should the nurse say next?
A. "You will be asleep during that time."
B. "This means you should not eat or drink anything after midnight."
C. "You need to stop taking your medications at midnight."
D. "You’ll get your medication at midnight."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medical jargon like "NPO" must be clarified in patient-friendly
language. "NPO" means "nothing by mouth," and explaining it ensures
patient compliance.
Question 2
The nurse tells a client they will receive "a diuretic." Which patient response
indicates understanding?
A. “That will help me sleep better.”
B. “That will boost my appetite.”
C. “That will help me get rid of extra fluid.”
D. “That will lower my blood sugar.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diuretics help the body eliminate excess fluid through urination,
commonly used in hypertension and heart failure.
Question 3
, 3
The nurse says, “This medication may cause drowsiness.” What should be
the nurse’s follow-up instruction?
A. “Don’t worry, you’ll sleep well tonight.”
B. “Call your provider if you feel sleepy.”
C. “Avoid driving or using heavy machinery.”
D. “You’ll get used to the sleepiness.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drowsiness can impair activities requiring alertness, so safety
precautions are essential to communicate.
Question 4
A patient asks, “What does ‘benign’ mean?” The best response by the nurse
is:
A. “It’s a dangerous condition.”
B. “It means it spreads quickly.”
C. “It’s not cancerous or harmful.”
D. “It’s an infection in the body.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Benign” refers to a non-cancerous or non-threatening condition;
accurate definition helps reduce patient anxiety.
Question 5
The nurse says, “You’re scheduled for a laparoscopic procedure.” What
should the nurse add to help the patient understand?
A. “It will be painful.”
B. “It will be a long surgery.”
C. “It involves small incisions and a camera to see inside your body.”
D. “It’s a robotic surgery.”
, 4
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Explaining technical terms in plain language improves patient
cooperation and informed consent.
Question 6
Which statement best demonstrates therapeutic communication when
explaining medication side effects?
A. “You won’t have side effects, don’t worry.”
B. “Some people experience nausea, but let me know if you do.”
C. “It’s just a minor effect, ignore it.”
D. “Side effects are normal, you’ll be fine.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging possible side effects and encouraging
communication is a therapeutic and honest approach.
Question 7
A nurse says, “Let me auscultate your lungs.” The patient seems confused.
What should the nurse do?
A. Proceed without explanation.
B. Say, “I’m going to listen to your lungs with my stethoscope.”
C. Ask another nurse to explain.
D. Tell the patient it’s a medical term.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clear communication of actions in layman's terms reduces fear
and confusion in patients.
Question 8
A patient is told their "prognosis is good." What is the nurse's best
explanation?
