2026 HESI A2 Critical Thinking Quiz (116 Questions And Complete Answers)

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?

1. Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors.
2. Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as the nurse records what is said.
3. Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention away from the patient, resulting in an increased comfort level.
4. Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may increase his or her level of comfort.

During an interview, the nurse states, "You mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more about that." Which verbal skill is used with this statement?

1. Reflection
2. Facilitation
3. Direct question
4. Open-ended question

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. talking too much.
2. using confrontation.
3. using biased or leading questions.
4. using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics.

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:

1. just changing positions.
2. more comfortable in this position.
3. tired and needs a break from the interview.
4. uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.

The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a hearing impairment. What techniques would be most beneficial in communicating with this patient?

1. Determine the communication method he prefers.
2. Avoid using facial and hand gestures because most hearing-impaired people find this degrading.
3. Request a sign language interpreter before meeting with him to help facilitate the communication.
4. Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial movement when talking with him because this helps with lip reading.

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?

1. "Do you take medicine?"
2. "Do you sterilize the bottles?"
3. "Do you have nausea and vomiting?"
4. "You have been taking your medicine, haven't you?"

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? .

1. A trained interpreter
2. A male family member
3. A female family member
4. A volunteer college student from the foreign language studies department

During an assessment, the nurse notices that a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to a leather strip around his neck. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

1. Ask the patient about the item and its significance.
2. Ask the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe.
3. Tell the patient that a family member should take valuables home.
4. No action is necessary.

In the majority culture of America, coughing, sweating, and diarrhea are symptoms of an illness. For some individuals of Mexican-American origin, however, these symptoms are a normal part of living. The nurse recognizes that this is true, probably because Mexican-Americans: .

1. have less efficient immune systems and are often ill.
2. consider these symptoms a part of normal living, not symptoms of ill health.
3. come from Mexico and coughing is normal and healthy there.
4. are usually in a lower socioeconomic group and are more likely to be sick.

Among many Asians there is a belief in the yin/yang theory, rooted in the ancient Chinese philosophy of Tao. The nurse recognizes which statement that most accurately reflects "health" in an Asian with this belief?

1. A person is able to work and produce.
2. A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
3. All aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
4. A person is able to care for others and function socially.