BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT
EXAM V2 (LATEST 2026) QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected congestive heart failure. Which heart sound is
often considered an early sign of heart failure in adults and is best heard with the bell of the
stethoscope at the apex?
A. S3 (Ventricular Gallop)
B. S1 (Lub)
C. S4 (Atrial Gallop)
D. Split S2
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: An S3 heart sound, or ventricular gallop, occurs early in diastole
during the rapid ventricular filling phase. In adults, it often indicates decreased ventricular
compliance and is a classic early sign of heart failure.
,2. When assessing the cranial nerves, the nurse asks the patient to say ‘ah’ and observes the
symmetrical rise of the soft palate and uvula. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
A. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
B. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
C. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
D. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve X (Vagus), along with Cranial Nerve IX
(Glossopharyngeal), is responsible for the motor function of the soft palate and uvula.
Asymmetrical rise suggests nerve damage.
3. A patient presents with acute right upper quadrant pain that radiates to the right scapula.
During deep palpation of the right subcostal margin, the patient abruptly stops inhaling due
to pain. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Positive Rovsing’s sign
B. Positive Psoas sign
C. Positive Murphy’s sign
D. Positive Blumberg’s sign
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s sign is an indicator of cholecystitis (gallbladder
inflammation). It is positive when the patient experiences sharp pain and ‘catches’ their
breath upon palpation of the liver/gallbladder area during inspiration.
4. Which percussion note would a nurse expect to hear over the lungs of a patient with a
large pneumothorax?
A. Resonance
B. Dullness
C. Tympany
D. Hyperresonance
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound found when
too much air is present, such as in emphysema or pneumothorax. Resonance is normal lung
sound; dullness suggests fluid or solid mass.
5. During a musculoskeletal exam, the nurse asks the patient to flex their wrist 90 degrees
and press the backs of their hands together for 60 seconds. The patient reports numbness
and tingling. This is a positive finding for which test?
A. Phalen’s test
B. Tinel’s sign
C. McMurray’s test
EXAM V2 (LATEST 2026) QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected congestive heart failure. Which heart sound is
often considered an early sign of heart failure in adults and is best heard with the bell of the
stethoscope at the apex?
A. S3 (Ventricular Gallop)
B. S1 (Lub)
C. S4 (Atrial Gallop)
D. Split S2
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: An S3 heart sound, or ventricular gallop, occurs early in diastole
during the rapid ventricular filling phase. In adults, it often indicates decreased ventricular
compliance and is a classic early sign of heart failure.
,2. When assessing the cranial nerves, the nurse asks the patient to say ‘ah’ and observes the
symmetrical rise of the soft palate and uvula. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
A. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
B. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
C. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
D. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve X (Vagus), along with Cranial Nerve IX
(Glossopharyngeal), is responsible for the motor function of the soft palate and uvula.
Asymmetrical rise suggests nerve damage.
3. A patient presents with acute right upper quadrant pain that radiates to the right scapula.
During deep palpation of the right subcostal margin, the patient abruptly stops inhaling due
to pain. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Positive Rovsing’s sign
B. Positive Psoas sign
C. Positive Murphy’s sign
D. Positive Blumberg’s sign
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s sign is an indicator of cholecystitis (gallbladder
inflammation). It is positive when the patient experiences sharp pain and ‘catches’ their
breath upon palpation of the liver/gallbladder area during inspiration.
4. Which percussion note would a nurse expect to hear over the lungs of a patient with a
large pneumothorax?
A. Resonance
B. Dullness
C. Tympany
D. Hyperresonance
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound found when
too much air is present, such as in emphysema or pneumothorax. Resonance is normal lung
sound; dullness suggests fluid or solid mass.
5. During a musculoskeletal exam, the nurse asks the patient to flex their wrist 90 degrees
and press the backs of their hands together for 60 seconds. The patient reports numbness
and tingling. This is a positive finding for which test?
A. Phalen’s test
B. Tinel’s sign
C. McMurray’s test
