BSN 246: HESI Health Assessment V2 Comprehensive Exam
Questions and Answers |Fall 2025/2026 Update | 100%
Correct Latest
QUESTION 1
Which assessment technique is always performed first when examining any body system?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Inspection precedes all other assessment techniques because it allows observation
of general appearance, symmetry, and surface characteristics before altering tissue or sound.
QUESTION 2
The nurse notes clubbing of the fingers. This finding is most associated with:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Chronic hypoxia
C. Dehydration
D. Acute infection
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Chronic low oxygen levels, often due to pulmonary or cardiac disease, cause
hypertrophy of the nail base leading to clubbing.
QUESTION 3
During assessment, the best place to auscultate the apical pulse is at the:
A. Second right intercostal space
B. Fifth left intercostal space, midclavicular line
,C. Fourth left intercostal space, sternal border
D. Sixth left intercostal space, anterior axillary line
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The point of maximal impulse and apical impulse lie at the fifth intercostal space,
midclavicular line.
QUESTION 4
When performing percussion of the lungs, a hyperresonant note typically indicates:
A. Normal lung tissue
B. Lung consolidation
C. Pneumothorax or emphysema
D. Pleural effusion
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Hyperresonance occurs when too much air is present, as in emphysema or
pneumothorax.
QUESTION 5
Which position is best for examining the posterior lung fields?
A. Supine
B. Sitting upright
C. Left lateral recumbent
D. Standing with arms at sides
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Sitting upright expands the lungs and allows full access to posterior thorax for
inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
QUESTION 6
A patient’s skin is cool and pale. Which vital sign change would the nurse most expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Bradypnea
,CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Peripheral vasoconstriction and pallor accompany tachycardia as compensation for
decreased tissue perfusion.
QUESTION 7
The nurse assessing an older adult notes decreased skin turgor. This finding most likely reflects:
A. Hypoxemia
B. Dehydration
C. Normal aging change
D. Protein deficiency
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Loss of dermal elasticity is common in aging; the skin recedes slowly even if
hydration is adequate.
QUESTION 8
A bluish discoloration of the lips and nail beds is defined as:
A. Erythema
B. Pallor
C. Cyanosis
D. Jaundice
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Cyanosis indicates inadequate oxygenation or perfusion resulting in increased
deoxygenated hemoglobin.
QUESTION 9
Which sound is expected when percussing over the liver?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The liver is a dense organ producing a dull percussion tone.
, QUESTION 10
During otoscopic exam of an adult, the pinna should be pulled:
A. Down and forward
B. Down and backward
C. Up and back
D. Straight outward
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The adult ear canal slopes upward and backward, requiring elevation and backward
traction for straightening.
QUESTION 11
A normal finding when assessing lymph nodes is that they are:
A. Palpable, hard, and fixed
B. Palpable, soft, and tender
C. Discrete, mobile, and non-tender
D. Nonpalpable always
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Small, mobile, and non-tender nodes are benign; large, fixed, or tender nodes
warrant investigation.
QUESTION 12
Which cranial nerve is assessed when checking for symmetrical facial movement?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN IX
D. CN XII
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Cranial Nerve VII (facial) controls motor facial expression and is tested by observing
smile, frown, or puffed cheeks.
Questions and Answers |Fall 2025/2026 Update | 100%
Correct Latest
QUESTION 1
Which assessment technique is always performed first when examining any body system?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Inspection precedes all other assessment techniques because it allows observation
of general appearance, symmetry, and surface characteristics before altering tissue or sound.
QUESTION 2
The nurse notes clubbing of the fingers. This finding is most associated with:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Chronic hypoxia
C. Dehydration
D. Acute infection
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Chronic low oxygen levels, often due to pulmonary or cardiac disease, cause
hypertrophy of the nail base leading to clubbing.
QUESTION 3
During assessment, the best place to auscultate the apical pulse is at the:
A. Second right intercostal space
B. Fifth left intercostal space, midclavicular line
,C. Fourth left intercostal space, sternal border
D. Sixth left intercostal space, anterior axillary line
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The point of maximal impulse and apical impulse lie at the fifth intercostal space,
midclavicular line.
QUESTION 4
When performing percussion of the lungs, a hyperresonant note typically indicates:
A. Normal lung tissue
B. Lung consolidation
C. Pneumothorax or emphysema
D. Pleural effusion
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Hyperresonance occurs when too much air is present, as in emphysema or
pneumothorax.
QUESTION 5
Which position is best for examining the posterior lung fields?
A. Supine
B. Sitting upright
C. Left lateral recumbent
D. Standing with arms at sides
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Sitting upright expands the lungs and allows full access to posterior thorax for
inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
QUESTION 6
A patient’s skin is cool and pale. Which vital sign change would the nurse most expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Bradypnea
,CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Peripheral vasoconstriction and pallor accompany tachycardia as compensation for
decreased tissue perfusion.
QUESTION 7
The nurse assessing an older adult notes decreased skin turgor. This finding most likely reflects:
A. Hypoxemia
B. Dehydration
C. Normal aging change
D. Protein deficiency
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Loss of dermal elasticity is common in aging; the skin recedes slowly even if
hydration is adequate.
QUESTION 8
A bluish discoloration of the lips and nail beds is defined as:
A. Erythema
B. Pallor
C. Cyanosis
D. Jaundice
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Cyanosis indicates inadequate oxygenation or perfusion resulting in increased
deoxygenated hemoglobin.
QUESTION 9
Which sound is expected when percussing over the liver?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The liver is a dense organ producing a dull percussion tone.
, QUESTION 10
During otoscopic exam of an adult, the pinna should be pulled:
A. Down and forward
B. Down and backward
C. Up and back
D. Straight outward
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The adult ear canal slopes upward and backward, requiring elevation and backward
traction for straightening.
QUESTION 11
A normal finding when assessing lymph nodes is that they are:
A. Palpable, hard, and fixed
B. Palpable, soft, and tender
C. Discrete, mobile, and non-tender
D. Nonpalpable always
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Small, mobile, and non-tender nodes are benign; large, fixed, or tender nodes
warrant investigation.
QUESTION 12
Which cranial nerve is assessed when checking for symmetrical facial movement?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN IX
D. CN XII
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Cranial Nerve VII (facial) controls motor facial expression and is tested by observing
smile, frown, or puffed cheeks.
