BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT FINAL
EXAM 2026 NIGHTINGALE COLLEGE
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ Client history that can cause possible interaction with an over-
the-counter decongestant Answer: closed angle glaucoma
chronic hypertension
OTC decongestants can cause increase in intraocular pressure and
increase HR and BP
◉ ABG Answer: normal ranges
pH 7.35-7.45
pCO2 35-45
HCO3 21-28
pO2 80-100
◉ respiratory acidosis and ABGs Answer: low pH (<7.35), high pCO2
(>45), normal HCO3 (21-28)
◉ Respiratory alkalosis and ABGs Answer: high pH (>7.45), low
pCO2 (<35),
,◉ incomplete fractures Answer: part of bone is splintered or bent
but has not gone completely through
◉ 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.
◉ 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.
◉ Which respiratory condition should the nurse document after
measuring a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute? Answer:
Bradypnea.
◉ 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.
,◉ 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.
◉ 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.
◉ 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.
◉ 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.
◉ 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.
, ◉ 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? Answer: Inspect the scalp looking
for nits.
◉ The nurse is assessing a client's range of motion as the client
bends the right knee up to the chest while keeping the left leg
straight, but is unable to keep the left thigh on the table. The
assessment is repeated for the left knee, and the client is unable to
keep the right thigh on the table. How should the nurse document
this finding? Answer: A flexion deformity referred to as a positive
Thomas test.
◉ During a skin asssessment, the nurse notes, round and discrete
lesions that are dark red in color and will not blanch. The lesions
range from 1 to 3 mm in size. What is the first question the nurse
should ask the client? Answer: Have you notice any irregular
bleeding
◉ A client with progressive hearing loss appears distressed when
the registered nurse (RN) asks open-ended questions about the
client's health history. Which forms of communication should the RN
use? Answer: Face the client so the client can see the RN's mouth.
Check if the client's hearing aides are working properly.
Reduce environmental noise surrounding the client.
EXAM 2026 NIGHTINGALE COLLEGE
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ Client history that can cause possible interaction with an over-
the-counter decongestant Answer: closed angle glaucoma
chronic hypertension
OTC decongestants can cause increase in intraocular pressure and
increase HR and BP
◉ ABG Answer: normal ranges
pH 7.35-7.45
pCO2 35-45
HCO3 21-28
pO2 80-100
◉ respiratory acidosis and ABGs Answer: low pH (<7.35), high pCO2
(>45), normal HCO3 (21-28)
◉ Respiratory alkalosis and ABGs Answer: high pH (>7.45), low
pCO2 (<35),
,◉ incomplete fractures Answer: part of bone is splintered or bent
but has not gone completely through
◉ 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.
◉ 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.
◉ Which respiratory condition should the nurse document after
measuring a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute? Answer:
Bradypnea.
◉ 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.
,◉ 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.
◉ 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.
◉ 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.
◉ 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.
◉ 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.
, ◉ 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? Answer: Inspect the scalp looking
for nits.
◉ The nurse is assessing a client's range of motion as the client
bends the right knee up to the chest while keeping the left leg
straight, but is unable to keep the left thigh on the table. The
assessment is repeated for the left knee, and the client is unable to
keep the right thigh on the table. How should the nurse document
this finding? Answer: A flexion deformity referred to as a positive
Thomas test.
◉ During a skin asssessment, the nurse notes, round and discrete
lesions that are dark red in color and will not blanch. The lesions
range from 1 to 3 mm in size. What is the first question the nurse
should ask the client? Answer: Have you notice any irregular
bleeding
◉ A client with progressive hearing loss appears distressed when
the registered nurse (RN) asks open-ended questions about the
client's health history. Which forms of communication should the RN
use? Answer: Face the client so the client can see the RN's mouth.
Check if the client's hearing aides are working properly.
Reduce environmental noise surrounding the client.
