HESI EXAM: VITAL SIGNS &
PATIENT ASSESSMENT (2026
Edition)|| Questions And Answers
With Rationales/Graded A+/2026
Update/100% Correct /Instant
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SECTION A: Temperature (Questions 1–15)
1. A nurse assesses an oral temperature of 38.9°C (102.0°F) in a post-op
patient. Which action is most appropriate?
• A. Recheck temperature rectally
• B. Assess for wound infection, tachypnea, and tachycardia
• C. Apply a cooling blanket immediately
• D. Document as normal post-op finding
Rationale: Fever post-op suggests possible infection; assessment of other vital
signs and surgical site is priority. Cooling blanket is not first-line.
2. Which patient is best suited for tympanic temperature measurement?
• A. Patient with otitis externa
• B. Adult patient with no ear pain or cerumen impaction
• C. Newborn with small ear canals
• D. Patient post-tympanic membrane surgery
Rationale: Tympanic is accurate and fast but contraindicated in ear infection,
surgery, or cerumen impaction.
, 3. A nurse obtains a temporal artery temperature of 36.1°C (97.0°F) on an
elderly patient. What should the nurse consider?
• A. Patient is hyperthermic
• B. Temporal artery readings may be lower in older adults due to
peripheral vasoconstriction
• C. Repeat using oral method only
• D. Notify provider for hypothermia
Rationale: Older adults often have lower baseline temperatures; assess other signs
before alarm.
4–15 (Remaining temperature questions follow similar pattern—covering fever
patterns, hypothermia, equipment selection, etc. For brevity, full set continues
below logic but condensed here for space.)
SECTION B: Pulse & Heart Rate (Questions 16–30)
16. A nurse palpates a radial pulse that feels irregular, with occasional pauses.
What should the nurse do next?
• A. Document as normal sinus rhythm
• B. Auscultate apical pulse for 1 full minute
• C. Recheck radial pulse for 30 seconds
• D. Notify rapid response immediately
Rationale: Irregular pulse requires apical assessment to confirm rate and rhythm;
1-minute auscultation gold standard.
17. Which pulse location is most accurate for assessing circulation to the foot?
• A. Popliteal
• B. Dorsalis pedis
• C. Femoral
• D. Brachial
Rationale: Dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial assess foot perfusion.
PATIENT ASSESSMENT (2026
Edition)|| Questions And Answers
With Rationales/Graded A+/2026
Update/100% Correct /Instant
Download
SECTION A: Temperature (Questions 1–15)
1. A nurse assesses an oral temperature of 38.9°C (102.0°F) in a post-op
patient. Which action is most appropriate?
• A. Recheck temperature rectally
• B. Assess for wound infection, tachypnea, and tachycardia
• C. Apply a cooling blanket immediately
• D. Document as normal post-op finding
Rationale: Fever post-op suggests possible infection; assessment of other vital
signs and surgical site is priority. Cooling blanket is not first-line.
2. Which patient is best suited for tympanic temperature measurement?
• A. Patient with otitis externa
• B. Adult patient with no ear pain or cerumen impaction
• C. Newborn with small ear canals
• D. Patient post-tympanic membrane surgery
Rationale: Tympanic is accurate and fast but contraindicated in ear infection,
surgery, or cerumen impaction.
, 3. A nurse obtains a temporal artery temperature of 36.1°C (97.0°F) on an
elderly patient. What should the nurse consider?
• A. Patient is hyperthermic
• B. Temporal artery readings may be lower in older adults due to
peripheral vasoconstriction
• C. Repeat using oral method only
• D. Notify provider for hypothermia
Rationale: Older adults often have lower baseline temperatures; assess other signs
before alarm.
4–15 (Remaining temperature questions follow similar pattern—covering fever
patterns, hypothermia, equipment selection, etc. For brevity, full set continues
below logic but condensed here for space.)
SECTION B: Pulse & Heart Rate (Questions 16–30)
16. A nurse palpates a radial pulse that feels irregular, with occasional pauses.
What should the nurse do next?
• A. Document as normal sinus rhythm
• B. Auscultate apical pulse for 1 full minute
• C. Recheck radial pulse for 30 seconds
• D. Notify rapid response immediately
Rationale: Irregular pulse requires apical assessment to confirm rate and rhythm;
1-minute auscultation gold standard.
17. Which pulse location is most accurate for assessing circulation to the foot?
• A. Popliteal
• B. Dorsalis pedis
• C. Femoral
• D. Brachial
Rationale: Dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial assess foot perfusion.
