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HESI 1 Health Assessment 1 Review V1 & V2 2026/2027 |
Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales | Grade A Study Guide.
1. The nurse is performing a thoracic assessment on a client with chronic asthma and
hyperinflation of the lungs. Which finding should be expected for this client?
A. Pectus carinatum
B. Barrel chest
C. Pectus excavatum
D. Scoliosis
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Chronic hyperinflation of the lungs, as seen in asthma and COPD, leads to an
increased anteroposterior diameter of the chest, resulting in a barrel-shaped chest.
2. The nurse has heard bowel sounds in the right upper quadrant while assessing a
client. What is the nurse's next appropriate action?
A. Document "bowel sounds present."
B. Note the character and frequency of the sounds.
C. Immediately notify the provider.
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D. Palpate the area for tenderness.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: After initially detecting bowel sounds, the nurse should further assess and
document their characteristics (e.g., frequency, pitch) in all quadrants to complete the
assessment.
3. During inspection of a client's mouth, the nurse places a tongue blade on the back of
the tongue, causing a gag reflex. After removing the blade, what should the nurse do?
A. Apologize to the client.
B. Document an intact gag reflex.
C. Ask the client to swallow water.
D. Inspect the uvula for deviation.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Eliciting a gag reflex tests cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus).
A gag response is a normal finding and should be documented.
4. When teaching breast self-examination, the nurse should emphasize that it is most
important to closely assess which area?
A. The upper inner quadrant.
B. The lower inner quadrant.
C. The upper outer quadrant and tail of Spence.
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D. The areolar area.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The upper outer quadrant and axillary tail (tail of Spence) contain a greater
amount of glandular tissue and are the most common sites for breast cancer.
5. A postmenopausal client with a BMI of 32 has a waist measurement of 45 inches.
What health promotion message is most important for the nurse to provide?
A. "You should aim for a BMI under 25."
B. "A waist circumference greater than 35 inches increases your risk for type 2 diabetes
and heart disease."
C. "Your hip-to-waist ratio is within normal limits."
D. "Focus on increasing your chest measurement."
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Central obesity (waist >35 inches in women, >40 inches in men) is a
significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular
disease, independent of BMI.
6. The nurse performs a physical exam on an older female client. Which change from a
prior exam may indicate osteoporosis?
A. Weight gain of 5 pounds.
B. Height reduction of 1.5 inches.
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C. Decrease in shoe size.
D. Increased kyphosis.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Loss of height (typically more than 1 inch) can be a sign of vertebral
compression fractures due to osteoporosis. While kyphosis (D) is associated, a
measurable height loss is a more specific, objective finding.
7. During a health history interview, the client pauses frequently and looks at the nurse
expectantly. What is the nurse's best response?
A. Prompt the client with the next question.
B. Sit quietly to allow the client to respond comfortably.
C. Suggest the client may be tired.
D. Reassure the client there is no right or wrong answer.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The nurse should use silence therapeutically, allowing the client time to
gather thoughts and respond. This demonstrates patience and encourages the client to
share at their own pace.
8. A client is in the clinic for a yearly physical. What should the nurse do when preparing
to examine the client's abdomen?
A. Place the client in a prone position.
HESI 1 Health Assessment 1 Review V1 & V2 2026/2027 |
Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales | Grade A Study Guide.
1. The nurse is performing a thoracic assessment on a client with chronic asthma and
hyperinflation of the lungs. Which finding should be expected for this client?
A. Pectus carinatum
B. Barrel chest
C. Pectus excavatum
D. Scoliosis
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Chronic hyperinflation of the lungs, as seen in asthma and COPD, leads to an
increased anteroposterior diameter of the chest, resulting in a barrel-shaped chest.
2. The nurse has heard bowel sounds in the right upper quadrant while assessing a
client. What is the nurse's next appropriate action?
A. Document "bowel sounds present."
B. Note the character and frequency of the sounds.
C. Immediately notify the provider.
,2|Page
D. Palpate the area for tenderness.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: After initially detecting bowel sounds, the nurse should further assess and
document their characteristics (e.g., frequency, pitch) in all quadrants to complete the
assessment.
3. During inspection of a client's mouth, the nurse places a tongue blade on the back of
the tongue, causing a gag reflex. After removing the blade, what should the nurse do?
A. Apologize to the client.
B. Document an intact gag reflex.
C. Ask the client to swallow water.
D. Inspect the uvula for deviation.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Eliciting a gag reflex tests cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus).
A gag response is a normal finding and should be documented.
4. When teaching breast self-examination, the nurse should emphasize that it is most
important to closely assess which area?
A. The upper inner quadrant.
B. The lower inner quadrant.
C. The upper outer quadrant and tail of Spence.
,3|Page
D. The areolar area.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The upper outer quadrant and axillary tail (tail of Spence) contain a greater
amount of glandular tissue and are the most common sites for breast cancer.
5. A postmenopausal client with a BMI of 32 has a waist measurement of 45 inches.
What health promotion message is most important for the nurse to provide?
A. "You should aim for a BMI under 25."
B. "A waist circumference greater than 35 inches increases your risk for type 2 diabetes
and heart disease."
C. "Your hip-to-waist ratio is within normal limits."
D. "Focus on increasing your chest measurement."
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Central obesity (waist >35 inches in women, >40 inches in men) is a
significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular
disease, independent of BMI.
6. The nurse performs a physical exam on an older female client. Which change from a
prior exam may indicate osteoporosis?
A. Weight gain of 5 pounds.
B. Height reduction of 1.5 inches.
, 4|Page
C. Decrease in shoe size.
D. Increased kyphosis.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Loss of height (typically more than 1 inch) can be a sign of vertebral
compression fractures due to osteoporosis. While kyphosis (D) is associated, a
measurable height loss is a more specific, objective finding.
7. During a health history interview, the client pauses frequently and looks at the nurse
expectantly. What is the nurse's best response?
A. Prompt the client with the next question.
B. Sit quietly to allow the client to respond comfortably.
C. Suggest the client may be tired.
D. Reassure the client there is no right or wrong answer.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The nurse should use silence therapeutically, allowing the client time to
gather thoughts and respond. This demonstrates patience and encourages the client to
share at their own pace.
8. A client is in the clinic for a yearly physical. What should the nurse do when preparing
to examine the client's abdomen?
A. Place the client in a prone position.
