BSN 246
HESI Review – Health Assessment | Questions &
Answers with Rationales | 2026 Study Guide
RESOURCE FEATURES
• BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment review
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed rationales
• Clinical assessment scenarios
• Normal/abnormal finding review
• Physical-assessment techniques
• Clinical judgment practice
• 2026 exam preparation
, BSN 246 HESI Review – Health Assessment |
Questions & Answers with Rationales | 2026
Study Guide
QUESTION 1
Which lab test would provide information about the number of
megakaryocytes in a patient with thrombocytopenia?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Peripheral blood smear
C. 14C serotonin release assay
D. Bone marrow examination
Answer: D. Bone marrow examination
Explanation: Bone marrow examination is performed to rule out
production problems such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, and other
myeloproliferative disorders as the cause of thrombocytopenia. Therefore,
to confirm that the absence or decreased number of megakaryocytes is the
cause of thrombocytopenia, bone marrow examination will be done. PT will
be tested to assess secondary homeostasis. A peripheral blood smear will
be done to distinguish immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) from
congenital disorders. 14C serotonin release assay assists with the diagnosis
of ITP.
,QUESTION 2
Where are lymphocytes produced?
A. Spleen
B. Tonsils
C. Bone Marrow
D. Thymus gland
Answer: C. Bone Marrow
Explanation: Lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow. The spleen is
a peripheral lymph organ and is the primary site for filtering foreign
antigens from the blood. The thymus gland is involved in the differentiation
and maturation of T lymphocytes. The tonsils are a peripheral lymphoid
organ.
QUESTION 3
Which functional ability would the nurse anticipate for the patient who
sustained a severe spinal cord injury in the sacral and thoracolumbar
regions of the vertebral column?
A. Inability to urinate
B. Ability to ambulate to the bathroom
C. Need to use a urinal/bedpan to urinate
D. Need to call for assistance when needing to void
Answer: A. Inability to urinate
, Explanation: Together, the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles form
what is called the urethrovesical unit. Voluntary control of this unit is
defined as continence. Stimulating and inhibiting impulses are sent from
the brain through the thoracolumbar (T11-L2) and sacral (S2 to S4) areas of
the spinal cord to control voiding. Damage in this area will prevent
voluntary control and lead to incontinence. Without control, the patient
may not be aware of the need to go to the bathroom, to use a
urinal/bedpan, or to call for assistance.
QUESTION 4
Which action by a nurse in a community-based clinic can help to address
potential disparities with a large Hispanic population?
A. Providing translators and materials in the Spanish language
B. Ensuring that child care services are available for families during visits to
the clinic
C. Making sure that the values of all clinic providers align with those of the
Hispanic population
D. Requiring "English as a second language" classes so that the population
can become literate in the English language
Answer: A. Providing translators and materials in the Spanish
language
Explanation: Providing translators and materials in the native language of
the population being served can best address potential biases and
prejudices and thus increase health care access. Ensuring that child care
HESI Review – Health Assessment | Questions &
Answers with Rationales | 2026 Study Guide
RESOURCE FEATURES
• BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment review
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed rationales
• Clinical assessment scenarios
• Normal/abnormal finding review
• Physical-assessment techniques
• Clinical judgment practice
• 2026 exam preparation
, BSN 246 HESI Review – Health Assessment |
Questions & Answers with Rationales | 2026
Study Guide
QUESTION 1
Which lab test would provide information about the number of
megakaryocytes in a patient with thrombocytopenia?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Peripheral blood smear
C. 14C serotonin release assay
D. Bone marrow examination
Answer: D. Bone marrow examination
Explanation: Bone marrow examination is performed to rule out
production problems such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, and other
myeloproliferative disorders as the cause of thrombocytopenia. Therefore,
to confirm that the absence or decreased number of megakaryocytes is the
cause of thrombocytopenia, bone marrow examination will be done. PT will
be tested to assess secondary homeostasis. A peripheral blood smear will
be done to distinguish immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) from
congenital disorders. 14C serotonin release assay assists with the diagnosis
of ITP.
,QUESTION 2
Where are lymphocytes produced?
A. Spleen
B. Tonsils
C. Bone Marrow
D. Thymus gland
Answer: C. Bone Marrow
Explanation: Lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow. The spleen is
a peripheral lymph organ and is the primary site for filtering foreign
antigens from the blood. The thymus gland is involved in the differentiation
and maturation of T lymphocytes. The tonsils are a peripheral lymphoid
organ.
QUESTION 3
Which functional ability would the nurse anticipate for the patient who
sustained a severe spinal cord injury in the sacral and thoracolumbar
regions of the vertebral column?
A. Inability to urinate
B. Ability to ambulate to the bathroom
C. Need to use a urinal/bedpan to urinate
D. Need to call for assistance when needing to void
Answer: A. Inability to urinate
, Explanation: Together, the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles form
what is called the urethrovesical unit. Voluntary control of this unit is
defined as continence. Stimulating and inhibiting impulses are sent from
the brain through the thoracolumbar (T11-L2) and sacral (S2 to S4) areas of
the spinal cord to control voiding. Damage in this area will prevent
voluntary control and lead to incontinence. Without control, the patient
may not be aware of the need to go to the bathroom, to use a
urinal/bedpan, or to call for assistance.
QUESTION 4
Which action by a nurse in a community-based clinic can help to address
potential disparities with a large Hispanic population?
A. Providing translators and materials in the Spanish language
B. Ensuring that child care services are available for families during visits to
the clinic
C. Making sure that the values of all clinic providers align with those of the
Hispanic population
D. Requiring "English as a second language" classes so that the population
can become literate in the English language
Answer: A. Providing translators and materials in the Spanish
language
Explanation: Providing translators and materials in the native language of
the population being served can best address potential biases and
prejudices and thus increase health care access. Ensuring that child care
