Page 1 of 44
BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment V1 Exam – Nightingale
College 2025-2026|complete verified sets with
Questions and detailed Answers |GRADED A+
1. Question:
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? ?
Answer:
Barrel chest
2. Question:
The nurse is assessing bowel sounds for a hospitalized client. The nurse has heard bowel sounds
in the right upper quadrant. What action should the nurse take next? ?
Answer:
Note the character and frequency of bowel sounds
3. Question:
During inspection of a client's mouth and pharynx, the nurse places a tongue blade on the back
of the tongue which causes the client to gag. After removing the tongue blade, what action
should the nurse take? ?
Answer:
Document an intact gag reflex.
4. Question:
, Page 2 of 44
When teaching a client how to perform a monthly breast self-assessment, the nurse should tell
the client that it is most important to assess which part of the breast more closely for changes?
?
Answer:
Upper outer quadrant.
5. Question:
The nurse is assessing a postmenopausal client who has a BMI of 32. The client has a chest
measurement of 42 inches, waist measurement of 45 inches, and hip measurement of 50
inches. What important message should the nurse explain to the client to promote health
promotion? ?
Answer:
A waist circumference is greater than 35 inches in women puts you at higher risk for type 2
diabetes and heart disease."
6. Question:
The nurse performs a physical assessment on an older female client. Which change from the
prior exam may be an indication of osteoporosis? ?
Answer:
Height reduction of 1.5 inches.
7. Question:
While conducting an interview to obtain a health history, the nurse notices that the client
pauses frequently and looks at the nurse expectantly. Which response is best for the nurse to
provide? ?
Answer:
Sit quietly to allow the client to respond comfortably.
8. Question:
, Page 3 of 44
A client is in the clinical for a yearly physical examination. Which action should the nurse take
when preparing to examine the client's abdomen? ?
Answer:
Ask the client to urinate before beginning the examination.
9. Question:
Which respiratory condition should the nurse document after measuring a respiratory rate of 8
breaths/minute? ?
Answer:
Bradypnea.
10. Question:
Which procedure should the nurse use to assessfor a pulse deficit? ?
Answer:
Measure the apical pulse and compare it to the peripheral pulse.
*A pulse deficit is a palpable difference between the apical pulse at the point of maximal
impulse and the radial pulse palpated at the wrist.
11. Question:
A client has been diagnosed with bilateral lower lobe atelectasis. What percussion sound should
the nurse expect to hear when percussing over the client's lower lobes? ?
Answer:
Dull, thud-like.
12. Question:
, Page 4 of 44
A client is being assessed upon admission to the medical-surgical unit. The nurse is preparing to
complete a head-to-toe assessment and will begin at the head of the client. Which technique
should the nurse use to begin the assessment? ?
Answer:
Inspect the hair and skin.
13. Question:
The nurse is assessing a healthy young adult during an annual physical examination. Which
assessment technique should the nurse implement when palpating the abdominal aorta? ?
Answer:
Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus.
14. Question:
The nurse is conducting a family history as part of the assessment interview. Which action
should the nurse take to ensure that sufficient information about the client's blood relatives is
obtained? ?
Answer:
Document at least 3 generations of the client's family medical history.
15. Question:
The nurse is testing the client's shoulders for range of motion. What should the nurse document
to record normal internal rotation? ?
Answer:
Range of 90 degrees when the hands are placed at the small of the back.
16. Question:
A client presents with a rash along the occipital area of the hairline and reports intense itching.
How should the nurse begin the objective part of the examination? ?
BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment V1 Exam – Nightingale
College 2025-2026|complete verified sets with
Questions and detailed Answers |GRADED A+
1. Question:
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? ?
Answer:
Barrel chest
2. Question:
The nurse is assessing bowel sounds for a hospitalized client. The nurse has heard bowel sounds
in the right upper quadrant. What action should the nurse take next? ?
Answer:
Note the character and frequency of bowel sounds
3. Question:
During inspection of a client's mouth and pharynx, the nurse places a tongue blade on the back
of the tongue which causes the client to gag. After removing the tongue blade, what action
should the nurse take? ?
Answer:
Document an intact gag reflex.
4. Question:
, Page 2 of 44
When teaching a client how to perform a monthly breast self-assessment, the nurse should tell
the client that it is most important to assess which part of the breast more closely for changes?
?
Answer:
Upper outer quadrant.
5. Question:
The nurse is assessing a postmenopausal client who has a BMI of 32. The client has a chest
measurement of 42 inches, waist measurement of 45 inches, and hip measurement of 50
inches. What important message should the nurse explain to the client to promote health
promotion? ?
Answer:
A waist circumference is greater than 35 inches in women puts you at higher risk for type 2
diabetes and heart disease."
6. Question:
The nurse performs a physical assessment on an older female client. Which change from the
prior exam may be an indication of osteoporosis? ?
Answer:
Height reduction of 1.5 inches.
7. Question:
While conducting an interview to obtain a health history, the nurse notices that the client
pauses frequently and looks at the nurse expectantly. Which response is best for the nurse to
provide? ?
Answer:
Sit quietly to allow the client to respond comfortably.
8. Question:
, Page 3 of 44
A client is in the clinical for a yearly physical examination. Which action should the nurse take
when preparing to examine the client's abdomen? ?
Answer:
Ask the client to urinate before beginning the examination.
9. Question:
Which respiratory condition should the nurse document after measuring a respiratory rate of 8
breaths/minute? ?
Answer:
Bradypnea.
10. Question:
Which procedure should the nurse use to assessfor a pulse deficit? ?
Answer:
Measure the apical pulse and compare it to the peripheral pulse.
*A pulse deficit is a palpable difference between the apical pulse at the point of maximal
impulse and the radial pulse palpated at the wrist.
11. Question:
A client has been diagnosed with bilateral lower lobe atelectasis. What percussion sound should
the nurse expect to hear when percussing over the client's lower lobes? ?
Answer:
Dull, thud-like.
12. Question:
, Page 4 of 44
A client is being assessed upon admission to the medical-surgical unit. The nurse is preparing to
complete a head-to-toe assessment and will begin at the head of the client. Which technique
should the nurse use to begin the assessment? ?
Answer:
Inspect the hair and skin.
13. Question:
The nurse is assessing a healthy young adult during an annual physical examination. Which
assessment technique should the nurse implement when palpating the abdominal aorta? ?
Answer:
Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus.
14. Question:
The nurse is conducting a family history as part of the assessment interview. Which action
should the nurse take to ensure that sufficient information about the client's blood relatives is
obtained? ?
Answer:
Document at least 3 generations of the client's family medical history.
15. Question:
The nurse is testing the client's shoulders for range of motion. What should the nurse document
to record normal internal rotation? ?
Answer:
Range of 90 degrees when the hands are placed at the small of the back.
16. Question:
A client presents with a rash along the occipital area of the hairline and reports intense itching.
How should the nurse begin the objective part of the examination? ?
