HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Exam
Questions and Answers
1. 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, result- ing 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.
Page correct answer: 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 statement?
A) Reflection
B) Facilitation
C) Direct question
D) Open-ended question correct answer: D) Open-ended question
Page correct answer: 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.
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Exam
Questions and Answers
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 correct answer:
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Exam
Questions and Answers
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 correct answer: 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 correct
answer:
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 correct answer: 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?
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Exam
Questions and Answers
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 facili- tate the communication.
Questions and Answers
1. 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, result- ing 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.
Page correct answer: 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 statement?
A) Reflection
B) Facilitation
C) Direct question
D) Open-ended question correct answer: D) Open-ended question
Page correct answer: 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.
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Exam
Questions and Answers
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 correct answer:
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Exam
Questions and Answers
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 correct answer: 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 correct
answer:
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 correct answer: 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?
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Exam
Questions and Answers
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 facili- tate the communication.
