BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam V2
(Latest 2024/ 2025 Update) Questions and
Verified Answers |100% Correct| Grade A-
Nightingale
DOMAIN I: Health History & Communication (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
The nurse is obtaining a health history for a client prior to a scheduled
cholecystectomy. While interviewing the client, which assessment technique
should the nurse use when asking about the client's use of illegal drugs and
alcohol?
A. Ask about drug use in relation to the client's job
B. Inquire about general lifestyle habits
C. Ask specifically about alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and amounts
D. Assess family history of substance use disorders
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Specific questions about types and amounts of substance use
provide a clearer understanding of the client's habits and potential risks that could
affect surgical outcomes. General questions (A, B) may not elicit accurate
information, and family history (D) does not assess the client's personal use.
Question 2
A client reports a persistent cough. Which computer documentation of this client's
concerns should the nurse enter?
A. "Patient reports a persistent cough accompanied by wheezing."
B. "Client describes having a 'body-wracking dry cough' of 6 weeks duration."
C. "The client expresses concern about possible lung cancer symptoms."
D. "Client presents with a cough lasting more than a month."
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation should reflect the client's own description of their
symptoms. Using the client's words captures the severity and character of the
cough, providing clear information for future assessments. Options A and D do not
use the client's exact words, and C includes the nurse's interpretation.
Question 3
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?
A. Ask the client if they need clarification
B. Repeat the question
C. Sit quietly to allow the client to respond comfortably
D. Move to the next question
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pausing and allowing the client time to formulate responses is an
effective interviewing technique. Silence can be therapeutic and gives the client
space to think. Rushing the client (A, B, D) may interrupt their thought process.
Question 4
When assessing a client's pain, which mnemonic is most appropriate for a
comprehensive pain assessment?
A. PQRST
B. OLD CART
C. Both A and B
D. SAMPLE
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PQRST (Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity,
Timing) and OLD CART (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Treatment) are both comprehensive pain assessment
,mnemonics. SAMPLE (D) is used in emergency assessment (Signs/Symptoms,
Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last meal, Events).
Question 5
The nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which laboratory value is most
indicative of protein malnutrition?
A. Serum albumin
B. Hemoglobin
C. Serum pre-albumin
D. Serum transferrin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Serum pre-albumin has a short half-life (2-3 days) and is a sensitive
indicator of recent protein intake and nutritional status. Serum albumin (A) has a
longer half-life (about 21 days) and reflects longer-term protein status.
Hemoglobin (B) indicates anemia. Transferrin (D) reflects iron status.
Question 6
The nurse is assessing a client's functional ability. Which of the following is an
Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Managing finances
C. Dressing
D. Toileting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IADLs include activities that require more complex cognitive and
organizational skills such as managing finances, shopping, cooking, using
transportation, and managing medications. ADLs (A, C, D) include basic self-care
activities like bathing, dressing, and toileting.
Question 7
, Which question is most appropriate when beginning a comprehensive health
history?
A. "Do you have any medical problems?"
B. "Tell me what brought you in today."
C. "Are you taking your medications?"
D. "You aren't having pain, correct?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the patient to describe the chief
concern and establish the priorities of the interview. Closed-ended questions (A,
C) limit responses, and leading questions (D) should be avoided.
Question 8
Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 140/86 mm Hg
B. Temperature 37.8°C
C. Patient reports "a throbbing headache"
D. Pulse 102/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data consist of symptoms and experiences reported by
the patient. Objective data (A, B, D) are measurable or observable findings
obtained by the healthcare professional.
Question 9
Which finding is objective data?
A. "I feel weak."
B. "My stomach hurts."
C. "I feel short of breath."
D. Oxygen saturation 89%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained by
(Latest 2024/ 2025 Update) Questions and
Verified Answers |100% Correct| Grade A-
Nightingale
DOMAIN I: Health History & Communication (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
The nurse is obtaining a health history for a client prior to a scheduled
cholecystectomy. While interviewing the client, which assessment technique
should the nurse use when asking about the client's use of illegal drugs and
alcohol?
A. Ask about drug use in relation to the client's job
B. Inquire about general lifestyle habits
C. Ask specifically about alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and amounts
D. Assess family history of substance use disorders
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Specific questions about types and amounts of substance use
provide a clearer understanding of the client's habits and potential risks that could
affect surgical outcomes. General questions (A, B) may not elicit accurate
information, and family history (D) does not assess the client's personal use.
Question 2
A client reports a persistent cough. Which computer documentation of this client's
concerns should the nurse enter?
A. "Patient reports a persistent cough accompanied by wheezing."
B. "Client describes having a 'body-wracking dry cough' of 6 weeks duration."
C. "The client expresses concern about possible lung cancer symptoms."
D. "Client presents with a cough lasting more than a month."
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation should reflect the client's own description of their
symptoms. Using the client's words captures the severity and character of the
cough, providing clear information for future assessments. Options A and D do not
use the client's exact words, and C includes the nurse's interpretation.
Question 3
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?
A. Ask the client if they need clarification
B. Repeat the question
C. Sit quietly to allow the client to respond comfortably
D. Move to the next question
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pausing and allowing the client time to formulate responses is an
effective interviewing technique. Silence can be therapeutic and gives the client
space to think. Rushing the client (A, B, D) may interrupt their thought process.
Question 4
When assessing a client's pain, which mnemonic is most appropriate for a
comprehensive pain assessment?
A. PQRST
B. OLD CART
C. Both A and B
D. SAMPLE
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PQRST (Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity,
Timing) and OLD CART (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Treatment) are both comprehensive pain assessment
,mnemonics. SAMPLE (D) is used in emergency assessment (Signs/Symptoms,
Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last meal, Events).
Question 5
The nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which laboratory value is most
indicative of protein malnutrition?
A. Serum albumin
B. Hemoglobin
C. Serum pre-albumin
D. Serum transferrin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Serum pre-albumin has a short half-life (2-3 days) and is a sensitive
indicator of recent protein intake and nutritional status. Serum albumin (A) has a
longer half-life (about 21 days) and reflects longer-term protein status.
Hemoglobin (B) indicates anemia. Transferrin (D) reflects iron status.
Question 6
The nurse is assessing a client's functional ability. Which of the following is an
Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Managing finances
C. Dressing
D. Toileting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IADLs include activities that require more complex cognitive and
organizational skills such as managing finances, shopping, cooking, using
transportation, and managing medications. ADLs (A, C, D) include basic self-care
activities like bathing, dressing, and toileting.
Question 7
, Which question is most appropriate when beginning a comprehensive health
history?
A. "Do you have any medical problems?"
B. "Tell me what brought you in today."
C. "Are you taking your medications?"
D. "You aren't having pain, correct?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the patient to describe the chief
concern and establish the priorities of the interview. Closed-ended questions (A,
C) limit responses, and leading questions (D) should be avoided.
Question 8
Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 140/86 mm Hg
B. Temperature 37.8°C
C. Patient reports "a throbbing headache"
D. Pulse 102/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data consist of symptoms and experiences reported by
the patient. Objective data (A, B, D) are measurable or observable findings
obtained by the healthcare professional.
Question 9
Which finding is objective data?
A. "I feel weak."
B. "My stomach hurts."
C. "I feel short of breath."
D. Oxygen saturation 89%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained by
