BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT
EXAM V1 (NEWEST UPDATE 2026)
80 ANSWERED QUESTIONS & EXPERT
RATIONALES |
100% CORRECT | GRADE A-
NIGHTINGALE
This BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment V1 Exam is a comprehensive assessment covering physical
examination techniques, client history taking, and identifying abnormal findings, often used in nursing
curricula like Nightingale College. V1 likely focuses on core assessment skills including cardiovascular,
respiratory, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems.
Key Focus Areas for V1:
• Assessment Techniques: Pupillary accommodation, cardiovascular auscultation (e.g., carotid
artery bruit), and abdominal palpation.
• Musculoskeletal and Neuro: Assessment of joint range of motion (wrist extension) and mental
status/cognition (e.g., interpreting proverbs).
• Abnormal Findings: Identification of critical findings, such as pain during palpation, or vascular
abnormalities.
• Preparation: Reviewing Saunders NCLEX prep materials is suggested for understanding rationales.
,1. 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?
A. Resonant
B. Tympanic
C. Hyperresonant
D. Dull, thud-like
Rationale: Dullness is typically heard over areas of increased density such as consolidation or atelectasis.
The collapsed alveoli in atelectasis replace air with fluid or tissue, producing a thud-like sound upon
percussion. Recognizing dullness helps differentiate normal lung fields from pathologic conditions.
2. 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. Which technique should the nurse use first?
A. Inspect the hair and skin
B. Palpate the scalp
C. Auscultate for bruits
D. Percuss the frontal sinuses
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in a physical assessment. By visually examining hair and skin,
the nurse gathers objective data such as texture, lesions, infestations, or discoloration before moving on to
palpation, percussion, or auscultation.
3. During a physical exam of a healthy young adult, the nurse is palpating the abdominal aorta. Which
technique should the nurse implement?
A. Light palpation along the midline
B. Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus
C. Percussion over the epigastrium
D. Auscultation before palpation
, Rationale: Deep palpation allows the nurse to assess the size, pulsation, and possible aneurysms of the
abdominal aorta. It should be performed above and slightly left of the umbilicus. Palpation too lightly may
miss abnormalities, and auscultation is done prior for bruits if indicated.
4. When conducting a family history as part of the assessment, which action ensures sufficient information
is obtained?
A. Ask about the client’s siblings only
B. Focus on the maternal side
C. Document at least 3 generations of the client’s family medical history
D. Record only first-degree relatives’ illnesses
Rationale: Collecting three generations provides a comprehensive view of hereditary conditions and
patterns, which can identify risks for cardiovascular, metabolic, or genetic diseases. Limiting to siblings or
first-degree relatives may miss important trends.
5. The nurse is testing a client’s shoulders for range of motion. What should the nurse document as normal
internal rotation?
A. 45 degrees with hands on the side
B. 60 degrees with arms abducted
C. 90 degrees when hands are placed at the small of the back
D. 120 degrees with elbows extended
Rationale: Normal shoulder internal rotation is 90 degrees when the hands are placed behind the back. This
is assessed by having the client reach toward the lumbar spine. Documenting accurate range of motion is
essential for baseline and follow-up comparison.
EXAM V1 (NEWEST UPDATE 2026)
80 ANSWERED QUESTIONS & EXPERT
RATIONALES |
100% CORRECT | GRADE A-
NIGHTINGALE
This BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment V1 Exam is a comprehensive assessment covering physical
examination techniques, client history taking, and identifying abnormal findings, often used in nursing
curricula like Nightingale College. V1 likely focuses on core assessment skills including cardiovascular,
respiratory, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems.
Key Focus Areas for V1:
• Assessment Techniques: Pupillary accommodation, cardiovascular auscultation (e.g., carotid
artery bruit), and abdominal palpation.
• Musculoskeletal and Neuro: Assessment of joint range of motion (wrist extension) and mental
status/cognition (e.g., interpreting proverbs).
• Abnormal Findings: Identification of critical findings, such as pain during palpation, or vascular
abnormalities.
• Preparation: Reviewing Saunders NCLEX prep materials is suggested for understanding rationales.
,1. 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?
A. Resonant
B. Tympanic
C. Hyperresonant
D. Dull, thud-like
Rationale: Dullness is typically heard over areas of increased density such as consolidation or atelectasis.
The collapsed alveoli in atelectasis replace air with fluid or tissue, producing a thud-like sound upon
percussion. Recognizing dullness helps differentiate normal lung fields from pathologic conditions.
2. 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. Which technique should the nurse use first?
A. Inspect the hair and skin
B. Palpate the scalp
C. Auscultate for bruits
D. Percuss the frontal sinuses
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in a physical assessment. By visually examining hair and skin,
the nurse gathers objective data such as texture, lesions, infestations, or discoloration before moving on to
palpation, percussion, or auscultation.
3. During a physical exam of a healthy young adult, the nurse is palpating the abdominal aorta. Which
technique should the nurse implement?
A. Light palpation along the midline
B. Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus
C. Percussion over the epigastrium
D. Auscultation before palpation
, Rationale: Deep palpation allows the nurse to assess the size, pulsation, and possible aneurysms of the
abdominal aorta. It should be performed above and slightly left of the umbilicus. Palpation too lightly may
miss abnormalities, and auscultation is done prior for bruits if indicated.
4. When conducting a family history as part of the assessment, which action ensures sufficient information
is obtained?
A. Ask about the client’s siblings only
B. Focus on the maternal side
C. Document at least 3 generations of the client’s family medical history
D. Record only first-degree relatives’ illnesses
Rationale: Collecting three generations provides a comprehensive view of hereditary conditions and
patterns, which can identify risks for cardiovascular, metabolic, or genetic diseases. Limiting to siblings or
first-degree relatives may miss important trends.
5. The nurse is testing a client’s shoulders for range of motion. What should the nurse document as normal
internal rotation?
A. 45 degrees with hands on the side
B. 60 degrees with arms abducted
C. 90 degrees when hands are placed at the small of the back
D. 120 degrees with elbows extended
Rationale: Normal shoulder internal rotation is 90 degrees when the hands are placed behind the back. This
is assessed by having the client reach toward the lumbar spine. Documenting accurate range of motion is
essential for baseline and follow-up comparison.
