HESI Health Assessment and Physical
Examination
Questions and Ansẉers with
Rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
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A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview. Which of
the following questions is an example of an open-ended question?
A) "Do you have a family history of diabetes?"
B) "Are you experiencing any pain today?"
C) "Can you describe what your typical day looks like?"
D) "Have you been taking your medications as prescribed?"
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to elaborate
and provide a broad, narrative response. Options A, B, and D are
closed-ended questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or
"no."
During an interview, a patient states, "I sometimes feel like I can't
breathe when I lie down." Which of the following responses by the
nurse uses the technique of reflection?
A) "You sometimes feel like you can't breathe when lying down?"
B) "Why do you think that happens to you?"
C) "Do you use extra pillows to sleep at night?"
D) "That sounds very frightening for you."
Answer: A
Rationale: Reflection involves repeating the patient's main idea or
statement to encourage further elaboration. Option D is empathy,
Option C is a closed-ended question, and Option B asks for an
analysis the patient may not be able to provide.
The nurse is gathering subjective data from a patient. Which of the
following is considered subjective data?
A) Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
,B) Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
C) Patient reports a pain level of 7 out of 10
D) Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data is information perceived and reported by
the patient, such as pain levels, feelings, or sensations. Objective
data (Options A, B, and D) are measurable and observable findings.
When performing a physical examination, the nurse typically follows
a specific sequence. Which sequence is correct for most body
systems?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C) Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: A
Rationale: The standard sequence for physical examination is
inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. This prevents
altering the natural sounds or characteristics of the body before
they are assessed.
The nurse is assessing the abdomen. Which sequence is appropriate
for an abdominal assessment?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C) Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: B
, Rationale: For the abdomen specifically, auscultation is performed
before percussion and palpation because manipulating the abdomen
can alter bowel sounds.
A nurse is assessing a patient's skin and notes a bluish tint to the
lips and nail beds. This finding is known as:
A) Erythema
B) Cyanosis
C) Jaundice
D) Pallor
Answer: B
Rationale: Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and
nail beds caused by inadequate oxygenation of the blood. Erythema
is redness, jaundice is yellow, and pallor is paleness.
When using the COLDSPA mnemonic to assess a symptom, what
does the "P" stand for?
A) Progression
B) Palliative/Provocative
C) Pain level
D) Previous occurrence
Answer: B
Rationale: In the COLDSPA mnemonic (Character, Onset, Location,
Duration, Severity, Pattern, Associated factors), the "P" stands for
Palliative or Provocative factors—what makes the symptom better or
worse.
The nurse is assessing a patient's orientation. Which question
assesses the patient's orientation to place?
Examination
Questions and Ansẉers with
Rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview. Which of
the following questions is an example of an open-ended question?
A) "Do you have a family history of diabetes?"
B) "Are you experiencing any pain today?"
C) "Can you describe what your typical day looks like?"
D) "Have you been taking your medications as prescribed?"
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to elaborate
and provide a broad, narrative response. Options A, B, and D are
closed-ended questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or
"no."
During an interview, a patient states, "I sometimes feel like I can't
breathe when I lie down." Which of the following responses by the
nurse uses the technique of reflection?
A) "You sometimes feel like you can't breathe when lying down?"
B) "Why do you think that happens to you?"
C) "Do you use extra pillows to sleep at night?"
D) "That sounds very frightening for you."
Answer: A
Rationale: Reflection involves repeating the patient's main idea or
statement to encourage further elaboration. Option D is empathy,
Option C is a closed-ended question, and Option B asks for an
analysis the patient may not be able to provide.
The nurse is gathering subjective data from a patient. Which of the
following is considered subjective data?
A) Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
,B) Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
C) Patient reports a pain level of 7 out of 10
D) Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data is information perceived and reported by
the patient, such as pain levels, feelings, or sensations. Objective
data (Options A, B, and D) are measurable and observable findings.
When performing a physical examination, the nurse typically follows
a specific sequence. Which sequence is correct for most body
systems?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C) Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: A
Rationale: The standard sequence for physical examination is
inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. This prevents
altering the natural sounds or characteristics of the body before
they are assessed.
The nurse is assessing the abdomen. Which sequence is appropriate
for an abdominal assessment?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C) Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: B
, Rationale: For the abdomen specifically, auscultation is performed
before percussion and palpation because manipulating the abdomen
can alter bowel sounds.
A nurse is assessing a patient's skin and notes a bluish tint to the
lips and nail beds. This finding is known as:
A) Erythema
B) Cyanosis
C) Jaundice
D) Pallor
Answer: B
Rationale: Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and
nail beds caused by inadequate oxygenation of the blood. Erythema
is redness, jaundice is yellow, and pallor is paleness.
When using the COLDSPA mnemonic to assess a symptom, what
does the "P" stand for?
A) Progression
B) Palliative/Provocative
C) Pain level
D) Previous occurrence
Answer: B
Rationale: In the COLDSPA mnemonic (Character, Onset, Location,
Duration, Severity, Pattern, Associated factors), the "P" stands for
Palliative or Provocative factors—what makes the symptom better or
worse.
The nurse is assessing a patient's orientation. Which question
assesses the patient's orientation to place?
