BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT COMPLETE EXAM
PREP 2025-2026
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. 2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You mentioned shortness of
breath. Tell me more about that." Which verbal skill is used with this
state- ment?
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. 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:
1/
,A) talking too much.
B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
2/
,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. 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. 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 commu-
nicate—by signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person prefers lip reading, then
3/
, 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
4/
PREP 2025-2026
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. 2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You mentioned shortness of
breath. Tell me more about that." Which verbal skill is used with this
state- ment?
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. 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:
1/
,A) talking too much.
B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
2/
,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. 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. 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 commu-
nicate—by signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person prefers lip reading, then
3/
, 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
4/
