HESI RN HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM – QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE
*Core Domains*
*• Integumentary System Assessment*
*• Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascul
*• Respiratory System and Thorax Evalua
*• Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Asses
*• Neurological and Musculoskeletal Exa
*• Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat (
*• Health History and Interviewing Tech
*• Nutritional and Developmental Assess
*Introduction*
*The HESI RN Health Assessment Exam is designed to eval
SECTION ONE
1. Which technique should the nurse use first when
assessing a client’s abdomen?
,A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
🟢 D. Inspection
🔴 Explanation: To prevent the alteration of bowel sounds or
the creation of false pain, the physical assessment of the
abdomen must always follow the sequence of inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and then palpation.
2. A nurse is assessing a client for cyanosis. Which area is
most reliable for detecting this finding in a dark-skinned
client?
🟢 A. Oral mucosa
B. Sclera
C. Palms of the hands
D. Nail beds
🔴 Explanation: In dark-skinned clients, cyanosis is best
observed in the oral mucosa, conjunctiva, or nail beds, where
the pigmentation does not interfere with the visualization of
oxygen saturation changes.
, 3. The nurse notes a client has a "barrel chest." This
finding is most commonly associated with which
condition?
A. Acute pneumonia
B. Pulmonary edema
🟢 C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
D. Congestive heart failure
🔴 Explanation: A barrel chest, characterized by an
increased anteroposterior diameter, is common in clients with
COPD due to chronic air trapping and hyperinflation of the
lungs.
4. While assessing the carotid arteries, the nurse should
take which action to ensure safety?
A. Palpate both arteries simultaneously to compare strength
🟢 B. Palpate each artery individually to avoid carotid sinus
syncope
C. Use the bell of the stethoscope to palpate the pulse
D. Ask the client to take deep breaths during palpation
, 🔴 Explanation: Palpating both carotid arteries at once can
restrict blood flow to the brain or trigger a vagal response,
leading to bradycardia or syncope.
5. When assessing the point of maximal impulse (PMI),
where should the nurse place the stethoscope?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
🟢 D. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
🔴 Explanation: The PMI or apical pulse is located at the
apex of the heart, which is found at the fifth intercostal space
at the left midclavicular line.
6. The nurse is performing a Weber test. Which finding
indicates a normal result?
A. Sound is heard better in the ear with hearing loss
🟢 B. Sound is heard equally in both ears
C. Sound is heard longer by air conduction than bone
conduction
D. Sound is heard only in the dominant ear
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE
*Core Domains*
*• Integumentary System Assessment*
*• Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascul
*• Respiratory System and Thorax Evalua
*• Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Asses
*• Neurological and Musculoskeletal Exa
*• Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat (
*• Health History and Interviewing Tech
*• Nutritional and Developmental Assess
*Introduction*
*The HESI RN Health Assessment Exam is designed to eval
SECTION ONE
1. Which technique should the nurse use first when
assessing a client’s abdomen?
,A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
🟢 D. Inspection
🔴 Explanation: To prevent the alteration of bowel sounds or
the creation of false pain, the physical assessment of the
abdomen must always follow the sequence of inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and then palpation.
2. A nurse is assessing a client for cyanosis. Which area is
most reliable for detecting this finding in a dark-skinned
client?
🟢 A. Oral mucosa
B. Sclera
C. Palms of the hands
D. Nail beds
🔴 Explanation: In dark-skinned clients, cyanosis is best
observed in the oral mucosa, conjunctiva, or nail beds, where
the pigmentation does not interfere with the visualization of
oxygen saturation changes.
, 3. The nurse notes a client has a "barrel chest." This
finding is most commonly associated with which
condition?
A. Acute pneumonia
B. Pulmonary edema
🟢 C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
D. Congestive heart failure
🔴 Explanation: A barrel chest, characterized by an
increased anteroposterior diameter, is common in clients with
COPD due to chronic air trapping and hyperinflation of the
lungs.
4. While assessing the carotid arteries, the nurse should
take which action to ensure safety?
A. Palpate both arteries simultaneously to compare strength
🟢 B. Palpate each artery individually to avoid carotid sinus
syncope
C. Use the bell of the stethoscope to palpate the pulse
D. Ask the client to take deep breaths during palpation
, 🔴 Explanation: Palpating both carotid arteries at once can
restrict blood flow to the brain or trigger a vagal response,
leading to bradycardia or syncope.
5. When assessing the point of maximal impulse (PMI),
where should the nurse place the stethoscope?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
🟢 D. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
🔴 Explanation: The PMI or apical pulse is located at the
apex of the heart, which is found at the fifth intercostal space
at the left midclavicular line.
6. The nurse is performing a Weber test. Which finding
indicates a normal result?
A. Sound is heard better in the ear with hearing loss
🟢 B. Sound is heard equally in both ears
C. Sound is heard longer by air conduction than bone
conduction
D. Sound is heard only in the dominant ear
