BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment V1 Exam Prep- Practice
Questions & Verified Answers 5 VERSIONS
This specialized clinical testing resource provides targeted practice questions and
verified answers designed specifically for Version 1 of the BSN 246 HESI Health
Assessment specialty exam. It delivers deep-dive coverage of core nursing
competencies, including multi-system physical examination techniques, differentiating
normal from abnormal findings, health history interviewing, and documentation
standards. Baccalaureate nursing students will master advanced diagnostic reasoning
and clinical data interpretation parameters to successfully pass this high-stakes
proctored exit assessment.
1. A nurse begins a comprehensive health assessment on a client who appears anxious and
avoids eye contact. Which action is most appropriate initially?
A. Begin with highly specific questions about symptoms
B. Ask the client to complete the entire history independently
C. Establish rapport and explain the purpose of the assessment
D. Immediately begin the physical examination
Correct Answer: C. Establish rapport and explain the purpose of the assessment.
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and encourages accurate communication.
Explaining the assessment process can decrease anxiety and improve client participation.
2. During an interview, a client states, "I have been feeling tired lately." Which response best
encourages further discussion?
A. "Are you sleeping at least eight hours every night?"
B. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling tired."
C. "You probably need to exercise more."
D. "Have you ever been diagnosed with anemia?"
Correct Answer: B. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling tired."
Rationale: An open-ended response allows the client to describe the symptom in their own words
and gives the nurse additional assessment information.
,3. A nurse is assessing pain using the PQRST framework. Which question assesses the "R"
component?
A. "What does the pain feel like?"
B. "When did the pain begin?"
C. "Where do you feel the pain, and does it move anywhere?"
D. "What makes the pain worse?"
Correct Answer: C. "Where do you feel the pain, and does it move anywhere?"
Rationale: The "R" in PQRST assesses region and radiation, including the location of pain and
whether it spreads.
4. Which respiratory rate is within the expected resting range for a healthy adult?
A. 6 breaths/min
B. 16 breaths/min
C. 28 breaths/min
D. 36 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B. 16 breaths/min.
Rationale: A normal resting adult respiratory rate is generally approximately 12–20
breaths/min.
5. A nurse is preparing to assess a client's abdomen. Which sequence should the nurse use?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion
Correct Answer: B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation.
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in this order because percussion and palpation can alter
bowel sounds.
,6. A client reports dizziness when standing. Which additional assessment is most appropriate?
A. Measure orthostatic blood pressure and pulse
B. Measure abdominal girth
C. Assess visual acuity only
D. Obtain a peak expiratory flow rate
Correct Answer: A. Measure orthostatic blood pressure and pulse.
Rationale: Orthostatic measurements evaluate changes in blood pressure and pulse associated
with changes in position.
7. Which documentation entry is most appropriate after assessing a client's skin?
A. "Skin looks good."
B. "Skin normal."
C. "Skin warm, dry, intact; no visible lesions noted."
D. "Patient has healthy skin."
Correct Answer: C. "Skin warm, dry, intact; no visible lesions noted."
Rationale: Documentation should contain specific, objective findings rather than vague
statements.
8. A client asks why the nurse needs to ask questions about sexual health. Which response is
most appropriate?
A. "The questions are required for every patient."
B. "You don't have to answer any of the questions."
C. "Some health conditions and medications can affect sexual health, so I ask these questions
routinely."
D. "Your physician needs this information."
Correct Answer: C. "Some health conditions and medications can affect sexual health, so I
ask these questions routinely."
Rationale: Explaining the clinical purpose of sensitive questions promotes trust and encourages
accurate communication.
, 9. During a health history, a client uses a medical term incorrectly. What should the nurse do?
A. Correct the client immediately
B. Ignore the statement
C. Ask the client to explain what the term means to them
D. Document the term as a confirmed diagnosis
Correct Answer: C. Ask the client to explain what the term means to them.
Rationale: Clarification helps the nurse determine what the client actually means and prevents
inaccurate assumptions.
10. Which approach best demonstrates culturally responsive health assessment?
A. Use the same communication approach with every client
B. Assume cultural practices based on appearance
C. Ask the client about health practices and preferences that may affect care
D. Avoid discussing cultural practices
Correct Answer: C. Ask the client about health practices and preferences that may affect care.
Rationale: Culturally responsive assessment focuses on the individual and avoids assumptions
based on appearance or background.
11. Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 138/84 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Client reports abdominal pain after eating
D. Oxygen saturation of 95%
Correct Answer: C. Client reports abdominal pain after eating.
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the client.
12. Which finding is objective data?
A. "I feel short of breath."
B. "My pain is a 7 out of 10."
C. "I feel nauseated."
D. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min
Questions & Verified Answers 5 VERSIONS
This specialized clinical testing resource provides targeted practice questions and
verified answers designed specifically for Version 1 of the BSN 246 HESI Health
Assessment specialty exam. It delivers deep-dive coverage of core nursing
competencies, including multi-system physical examination techniques, differentiating
normal from abnormal findings, health history interviewing, and documentation
standards. Baccalaureate nursing students will master advanced diagnostic reasoning
and clinical data interpretation parameters to successfully pass this high-stakes
proctored exit assessment.
1. A nurse begins a comprehensive health assessment on a client who appears anxious and
avoids eye contact. Which action is most appropriate initially?
A. Begin with highly specific questions about symptoms
B. Ask the client to complete the entire history independently
C. Establish rapport and explain the purpose of the assessment
D. Immediately begin the physical examination
Correct Answer: C. Establish rapport and explain the purpose of the assessment.
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and encourages accurate communication.
Explaining the assessment process can decrease anxiety and improve client participation.
2. During an interview, a client states, "I have been feeling tired lately." Which response best
encourages further discussion?
A. "Are you sleeping at least eight hours every night?"
B. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling tired."
C. "You probably need to exercise more."
D. "Have you ever been diagnosed with anemia?"
Correct Answer: B. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling tired."
Rationale: An open-ended response allows the client to describe the symptom in their own words
and gives the nurse additional assessment information.
,3. A nurse is assessing pain using the PQRST framework. Which question assesses the "R"
component?
A. "What does the pain feel like?"
B. "When did the pain begin?"
C. "Where do you feel the pain, and does it move anywhere?"
D. "What makes the pain worse?"
Correct Answer: C. "Where do you feel the pain, and does it move anywhere?"
Rationale: The "R" in PQRST assesses region and radiation, including the location of pain and
whether it spreads.
4. Which respiratory rate is within the expected resting range for a healthy adult?
A. 6 breaths/min
B. 16 breaths/min
C. 28 breaths/min
D. 36 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B. 16 breaths/min.
Rationale: A normal resting adult respiratory rate is generally approximately 12–20
breaths/min.
5. A nurse is preparing to assess a client's abdomen. Which sequence should the nurse use?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion
Correct Answer: B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation.
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in this order because percussion and palpation can alter
bowel sounds.
,6. A client reports dizziness when standing. Which additional assessment is most appropriate?
A. Measure orthostatic blood pressure and pulse
B. Measure abdominal girth
C. Assess visual acuity only
D. Obtain a peak expiratory flow rate
Correct Answer: A. Measure orthostatic blood pressure and pulse.
Rationale: Orthostatic measurements evaluate changes in blood pressure and pulse associated
with changes in position.
7. Which documentation entry is most appropriate after assessing a client's skin?
A. "Skin looks good."
B. "Skin normal."
C. "Skin warm, dry, intact; no visible lesions noted."
D. "Patient has healthy skin."
Correct Answer: C. "Skin warm, dry, intact; no visible lesions noted."
Rationale: Documentation should contain specific, objective findings rather than vague
statements.
8. A client asks why the nurse needs to ask questions about sexual health. Which response is
most appropriate?
A. "The questions are required for every patient."
B. "You don't have to answer any of the questions."
C. "Some health conditions and medications can affect sexual health, so I ask these questions
routinely."
D. "Your physician needs this information."
Correct Answer: C. "Some health conditions and medications can affect sexual health, so I
ask these questions routinely."
Rationale: Explaining the clinical purpose of sensitive questions promotes trust and encourages
accurate communication.
, 9. During a health history, a client uses a medical term incorrectly. What should the nurse do?
A. Correct the client immediately
B. Ignore the statement
C. Ask the client to explain what the term means to them
D. Document the term as a confirmed diagnosis
Correct Answer: C. Ask the client to explain what the term means to them.
Rationale: Clarification helps the nurse determine what the client actually means and prevents
inaccurate assumptions.
10. Which approach best demonstrates culturally responsive health assessment?
A. Use the same communication approach with every client
B. Assume cultural practices based on appearance
C. Ask the client about health practices and preferences that may affect care
D. Avoid discussing cultural practices
Correct Answer: C. Ask the client about health practices and preferences that may affect care.
Rationale: Culturally responsive assessment focuses on the individual and avoids assumptions
based on appearance or background.
11. Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 138/84 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Client reports abdominal pain after eating
D. Oxygen saturation of 95%
Correct Answer: C. Client reports abdominal pain after eating.
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the client.
12. Which finding is objective data?
A. "I feel short of breath."
B. "My pain is a 7 out of 10."
C. "I feel nauseated."
D. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min
