HESI Health Assessment Final Exam Latest 2026 –
Comprehensive Review Questions and Answers |
Clinical Reasoning Study Guide | 100% Pass
Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. During the initial interview a patient avoids eye contact and gives very brief answers. The
nurse's best initial action is to:
A. Confront the patient about their lack of engagement.
B. Proceed quickly with the physical exam to put the patient at ease.
C. Acknowledge the behavior and explore the patient's comfort level.
D. Document "patient is uncooperative" in the chart.
Answer: C
2. Which of the following are components of the general survey? (Select all that apply)
A. Physical appearance
B. Body structure
C. Mobility
D. Behavior
E. Laboratory results
Answer: A, B, C, D
3. A nurse is assessing a patient's gait. Which finding should the nurse interpret as a
potential mobility concern?
A. Feet are shoulder-width apart.
B. Gait is rhythmic and effortless.
C. Base of support is wide and unsteady.
D. Arms swing in opposition to the legs.
Answer: C
4. When assessing a patient's skin, the nurse notes a lesion that is elevated, fluid-filled,
and less than 1 cm in diameter. The nurse should document this as:
A. A bulla.
B. A vesicle.
C. A macule.
D. A papule.
Answer: B
5. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate attention during a respiratory
examination?
A. Presence of fine crackles at the bases.
B. Use of accessory muscles for breathing.
C. Bilateral vesicular breath sounds.
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute.
Answer: B
,6. The nurse is assessing a patient’s heart sounds. Which position is most effective for
hearing a soft S3 or S4?
A. Supine with the head of the bed at 30 degrees.
B. Sitting upright leaning slightly forward.
C. Left lateral recumbent position.
D. Standing against the examination table.
Answer: C
7. A patient reports abdominal pain. Which technique should the nurse perform last during
the physical assessment?
A. Inspection.
B. Auscultation.
C. Percussion.
D. Palpation.
Answer: D
8. During the abdominal exam, the nurse notes a loud, high-pitched, continuous sound
over the renal artery. The nurse should document this as:
A. A bruit.
B. A friction rub.
C. Borborygmus.
D. A venous hum.
Answer: A
9. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the nurse asks the patient to smile, frown, and
puff out their cheeks?
A. Cranial Nerve III.
B. Cranial Nerve V.
C. Cranial Nerve VII.
D. Cranial Nerve IX.
Answer: C
10.A patient exhibits a positive Romberg test. The nurse should prioritize which safety
intervention?
A. Provide a soft diet.
B. Administer PRN analgesic medication.
C. Implement fall precautions.
D. Encourage the patient to walk more frequently.
Answer: C
11.When assessing a patient's pupillary response, the nurse notes that both pupils constrict
when a light is shone into only the right eye. The nurse documents this as:
A. Direct pupillary light reflex.
B. Consensual pupillary light reflex.
C. Absence of accommodation.
D. Anisocoria.
Answer: B
12.The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected dehydration. Which finding is the most
reliable clinical indicator?
, A. Dry oral mucous membranes.
B. Tenting of the skin on the forearm.
C. Decreased urine output.
D. Dizziness upon standing.
Answer: C
13.Which intervention represents the nurse's priority when caring for a patient with a new
onset of sudden confusion?
A. Document the behavior in the nurse’s notes.
B. Assess vital signs and oxygen saturation.
C. Contact the family to verify baseline status.
D. Place the patient on 1:1 supervision.
Answer: B
14.During an assessment, the nurse notes a pulse deficit. This finding is calculated by:
A. Comparing the radial pulse to the dorsalis pedis pulse.
B. Subtracting the radial rate from the apical rate.
C. Measuring the blood pressure in both arms.
D. Counting the pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4.
Answer: B
15.When testing for tactile fremitus, the nurse should use:
A. The fingertips to feel for vibration.
B. The ulnar surface of the hand.
C. The stethoscope bell.
D. The palm of the hand.
Answer: B
16.A patient describes their pain as a "burning" sensation that radiates down the leg. The
nurse classifies this as:
A. Somatic pain.
B. Visceral pain.
C. Neuropathic pain.
D. Referred pain.
Answer: C
17.Which finding by the nurse during a musculoskeletal assessment indicates a potential
rotator cuff injury?
A. Inability to shrug the shoulders against resistance.
B. Pain and weakness during shoulder abduction.
C. Crepitus heard during passive flexion of the elbow.
D. Limited range of motion in the wrist.
Answer: B
18.A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 7. The nurse should:
A. Prepare for immediate transfer to the ICU.
B. Perform a full neurologic assessment every 15 minutes.
C. Administer a sedative to prevent agitation.
D. Re-evaluate the score in 4 hours.
Answer: A
Comprehensive Review Questions and Answers |
Clinical Reasoning Study Guide | 100% Pass
Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. During the initial interview a patient avoids eye contact and gives very brief answers. The
nurse's best initial action is to:
A. Confront the patient about their lack of engagement.
B. Proceed quickly with the physical exam to put the patient at ease.
C. Acknowledge the behavior and explore the patient's comfort level.
D. Document "patient is uncooperative" in the chart.
Answer: C
2. Which of the following are components of the general survey? (Select all that apply)
A. Physical appearance
B. Body structure
C. Mobility
D. Behavior
E. Laboratory results
Answer: A, B, C, D
3. A nurse is assessing a patient's gait. Which finding should the nurse interpret as a
potential mobility concern?
A. Feet are shoulder-width apart.
B. Gait is rhythmic and effortless.
C. Base of support is wide and unsteady.
D. Arms swing in opposition to the legs.
Answer: C
4. When assessing a patient's skin, the nurse notes a lesion that is elevated, fluid-filled,
and less than 1 cm in diameter. The nurse should document this as:
A. A bulla.
B. A vesicle.
C. A macule.
D. A papule.
Answer: B
5. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate attention during a respiratory
examination?
A. Presence of fine crackles at the bases.
B. Use of accessory muscles for breathing.
C. Bilateral vesicular breath sounds.
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute.
Answer: B
,6. The nurse is assessing a patient’s heart sounds. Which position is most effective for
hearing a soft S3 or S4?
A. Supine with the head of the bed at 30 degrees.
B. Sitting upright leaning slightly forward.
C. Left lateral recumbent position.
D. Standing against the examination table.
Answer: C
7. A patient reports abdominal pain. Which technique should the nurse perform last during
the physical assessment?
A. Inspection.
B. Auscultation.
C. Percussion.
D. Palpation.
Answer: D
8. During the abdominal exam, the nurse notes a loud, high-pitched, continuous sound
over the renal artery. The nurse should document this as:
A. A bruit.
B. A friction rub.
C. Borborygmus.
D. A venous hum.
Answer: A
9. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the nurse asks the patient to smile, frown, and
puff out their cheeks?
A. Cranial Nerve III.
B. Cranial Nerve V.
C. Cranial Nerve VII.
D. Cranial Nerve IX.
Answer: C
10.A patient exhibits a positive Romberg test. The nurse should prioritize which safety
intervention?
A. Provide a soft diet.
B. Administer PRN analgesic medication.
C. Implement fall precautions.
D. Encourage the patient to walk more frequently.
Answer: C
11.When assessing a patient's pupillary response, the nurse notes that both pupils constrict
when a light is shone into only the right eye. The nurse documents this as:
A. Direct pupillary light reflex.
B. Consensual pupillary light reflex.
C. Absence of accommodation.
D. Anisocoria.
Answer: B
12.The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected dehydration. Which finding is the most
reliable clinical indicator?
, A. Dry oral mucous membranes.
B. Tenting of the skin on the forearm.
C. Decreased urine output.
D. Dizziness upon standing.
Answer: C
13.Which intervention represents the nurse's priority when caring for a patient with a new
onset of sudden confusion?
A. Document the behavior in the nurse’s notes.
B. Assess vital signs and oxygen saturation.
C. Contact the family to verify baseline status.
D. Place the patient on 1:1 supervision.
Answer: B
14.During an assessment, the nurse notes a pulse deficit. This finding is calculated by:
A. Comparing the radial pulse to the dorsalis pedis pulse.
B. Subtracting the radial rate from the apical rate.
C. Measuring the blood pressure in both arms.
D. Counting the pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4.
Answer: B
15.When testing for tactile fremitus, the nurse should use:
A. The fingertips to feel for vibration.
B. The ulnar surface of the hand.
C. The stethoscope bell.
D. The palm of the hand.
Answer: B
16.A patient describes their pain as a "burning" sensation that radiates down the leg. The
nurse classifies this as:
A. Somatic pain.
B. Visceral pain.
C. Neuropathic pain.
D. Referred pain.
Answer: C
17.Which finding by the nurse during a musculoskeletal assessment indicates a potential
rotator cuff injury?
A. Inability to shrug the shoulders against resistance.
B. Pain and weakness during shoulder abduction.
C. Crepitus heard during passive flexion of the elbow.
D. Limited range of motion in the wrist.
Answer: B
18.A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 7. The nurse should:
A. Prepare for immediate transfer to the ICU.
B. Perform a full neurologic assessment every 15 minutes.
C. Administer a sedative to prevent agitation.
D. Re-evaluate the score in 4 hours.
Answer: A
