HESI V2 Health Assessment Exam 2026/2027 |
Practice Questions with Verified Answers and
Explanations | Key Topics for Exam Preparation
After a young adult woman describes feeling palpitations when she lies on her left side it is most
important for the nurse to auscultate heart sounds at which anatomical location?
A. Second intercostal space, left of the sternal border.
B. Left third intercostal space, left lateral sternal border.
C. Base of the heart at second intercostal space, right of the sternal border.
D. Apex of the heart at the left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line - ANSWER Correct
answer is D. The apex beat or apical impulse is the palpable cardiac impulse farthest away from
the sternum and farthest down on the chest wall, usually caused by the LV and located near the
midclavicular line (MCL) in the fifth intercostal space
In assessing a client's sensory nerve function, the nurse prepares to assess the client's response
to temperature. What action should the nurse include during this assessment?
A. Darken the client's room environment. B. Cover the client with a warmed blanket.
C. Measure the client's body temperature.
D. Instruct the client to close both eyes. - ANSWER Correct answer is B
The nurse is obtaining a health history for a client during an annual physical examination. When
evaluating the client for menopausal symptoms, which finding indicates the client is
perimenopausal? A. Drenching night sweats.
B. Excessive vaginal moisture.
C. Increase in sexual desire.
D. Cessation of menstruation. - ANSWER correct answer is A
,A client states that he is legally blind. Which assessment techniques should the nurse use to
obtain data to support the client's statement?
A. Observe the client's optic disc through an ophthalmoscope.
B. Assess the client's ability to read a Snellen chart from a distance of 20 feet. C. Observe the
client's pupillary response to a penlight.
D. Observe the client's eye movements through the cardinal fields of vision. - ANSWER correct
answer B.
Which question by the nurse is likely to elicit the most information regarding a client's use of
medications to treat a chronic cough?
A. What medications are you currently taking?
B. Have you tried any generic brands of cough syrup?
C. Have you been prescribed any medications for your cough?
D. What medications have you used for your cough? - ANSWER Correct answer is A. The nurse
should always ask general questions about medication which include OTC and herbal products.
Also, there might be other medications that cause cough like ACE inhibitors so the nurse should
assist the who image.
Respiratory Rate - ANSWER Normal is 12-20 breaths per minute.
Dyspnea - ANSWER Shortness of breath during normal activities.
COPD - ANSWER Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affecting breathing.
,AP Chest Diameter - ANSWER Measured to assess for barrel chest.
Pitting Edema - ANSWER Swelling with indentation upon pressure.
Capillary Refill - ANSWER Time taken for color to return after pressure.
Homan's Sign - ANSWER Calf pain indicating possible deep vein thrombosis.
Cranial Nerve Exam - ANSWER Assessment of cranial nerve function.
While assessing the legs of a female client, the nurse observes leathery-looking skin. The client
reports aching tired legs that swell if she stands for long periods of time. To screen for venous
insufficiency, the nurse should ask the client if she has experienced which subject finding?
A. Decreased pain when legs are elevated.
B. Deep, continuous pain in the calf muscles.
C. Cool, pale skin below the knees.
D. Painful symptoms alleviated by warmth. - ANSWER Correct answer is A. Elevation of the legs
decreases welling and helps with blood flow.
During an abdominal assessment, a client with a temperature of 103 F (39.4 C) experiences
pain and abruptly stops inhaling during deep palpation. Which prescription is most important
for the nurse to implement?
A. Electrocardiogram.
B. Complete bed rest.
C. Monitor urinary output.
D. Nothing by mouth. - ANSWER Correct answer is D.
, After placing a client in a supine position, the nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope to
auscultate bowel sounds and hears a loud, high pitched almost continuous gurgling in two
quadrants. What action should the nurse implement?
A. Use the bell of the stethoscope to auscultate again.
B. Elevate the head of the client's bed immediately.
C. Document the presence of borborygmi.
D. Auscultate the remaining two quadrants. - ANSWER Correct answer is D. Full assessment of
all parts of the lungs, side by side, should be performed before taking any other action or
document the findings.
To objectively confirm the presence of fever, before taking the client's temperature, which
action should the nurse take?
A. Ask the client to describe any other related symptoms.
B. Use both hands to hold and palpate the client's hands.
C. Lightly pinch a fold of skin over the client's sternum.
D. Place the dorsum of the hand on the client's forehead. - ANSWER Correct answer is B.
A male client who is admitted for an acute brain attack reports the onset of a burning sensation
in his hands and legs. Which action should the nurse implement to identify additional findings
that are consistent with the client's paresthesia?
A. Evaluate client's muscle strength and hand grips.
B. Observe skin for erythema, edema, and warmth.
C. Review the client's serum electrolytes. D. Check distal phalanges capillary refill - ANSWER
Correct answer is A.
A client is being evaluated for environmental allergies. While examining the client's nasal
passage, which finding suggests to the nurse that the client is experiencing allergic rhinitis?
A. Purulent secretions from eyes and nares.
B. Eye tearing and thick yellow nasal drainage.
Practice Questions with Verified Answers and
Explanations | Key Topics for Exam Preparation
After a young adult woman describes feeling palpitations when she lies on her left side it is most
important for the nurse to auscultate heart sounds at which anatomical location?
A. Second intercostal space, left of the sternal border.
B. Left third intercostal space, left lateral sternal border.
C. Base of the heart at second intercostal space, right of the sternal border.
D. Apex of the heart at the left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line - ANSWER Correct
answer is D. The apex beat or apical impulse is the palpable cardiac impulse farthest away from
the sternum and farthest down on the chest wall, usually caused by the LV and located near the
midclavicular line (MCL) in the fifth intercostal space
In assessing a client's sensory nerve function, the nurse prepares to assess the client's response
to temperature. What action should the nurse include during this assessment?
A. Darken the client's room environment. B. Cover the client with a warmed blanket.
C. Measure the client's body temperature.
D. Instruct the client to close both eyes. - ANSWER Correct answer is B
The nurse is obtaining a health history for a client during an annual physical examination. When
evaluating the client for menopausal symptoms, which finding indicates the client is
perimenopausal? A. Drenching night sweats.
B. Excessive vaginal moisture.
C. Increase in sexual desire.
D. Cessation of menstruation. - ANSWER correct answer is A
,A client states that he is legally blind. Which assessment techniques should the nurse use to
obtain data to support the client's statement?
A. Observe the client's optic disc through an ophthalmoscope.
B. Assess the client's ability to read a Snellen chart from a distance of 20 feet. C. Observe the
client's pupillary response to a penlight.
D. Observe the client's eye movements through the cardinal fields of vision. - ANSWER correct
answer B.
Which question by the nurse is likely to elicit the most information regarding a client's use of
medications to treat a chronic cough?
A. What medications are you currently taking?
B. Have you tried any generic brands of cough syrup?
C. Have you been prescribed any medications for your cough?
D. What medications have you used for your cough? - ANSWER Correct answer is A. The nurse
should always ask general questions about medication which include OTC and herbal products.
Also, there might be other medications that cause cough like ACE inhibitors so the nurse should
assist the who image.
Respiratory Rate - ANSWER Normal is 12-20 breaths per minute.
Dyspnea - ANSWER Shortness of breath during normal activities.
COPD - ANSWER Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affecting breathing.
,AP Chest Diameter - ANSWER Measured to assess for barrel chest.
Pitting Edema - ANSWER Swelling with indentation upon pressure.
Capillary Refill - ANSWER Time taken for color to return after pressure.
Homan's Sign - ANSWER Calf pain indicating possible deep vein thrombosis.
Cranial Nerve Exam - ANSWER Assessment of cranial nerve function.
While assessing the legs of a female client, the nurse observes leathery-looking skin. The client
reports aching tired legs that swell if she stands for long periods of time. To screen for venous
insufficiency, the nurse should ask the client if she has experienced which subject finding?
A. Decreased pain when legs are elevated.
B. Deep, continuous pain in the calf muscles.
C. Cool, pale skin below the knees.
D. Painful symptoms alleviated by warmth. - ANSWER Correct answer is A. Elevation of the legs
decreases welling and helps with blood flow.
During an abdominal assessment, a client with a temperature of 103 F (39.4 C) experiences
pain and abruptly stops inhaling during deep palpation. Which prescription is most important
for the nurse to implement?
A. Electrocardiogram.
B. Complete bed rest.
C. Monitor urinary output.
D. Nothing by mouth. - ANSWER Correct answer is D.
, After placing a client in a supine position, the nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope to
auscultate bowel sounds and hears a loud, high pitched almost continuous gurgling in two
quadrants. What action should the nurse implement?
A. Use the bell of the stethoscope to auscultate again.
B. Elevate the head of the client's bed immediately.
C. Document the presence of borborygmi.
D. Auscultate the remaining two quadrants. - ANSWER Correct answer is D. Full assessment of
all parts of the lungs, side by side, should be performed before taking any other action or
document the findings.
To objectively confirm the presence of fever, before taking the client's temperature, which
action should the nurse take?
A. Ask the client to describe any other related symptoms.
B. Use both hands to hold and palpate the client's hands.
C. Lightly pinch a fold of skin over the client's sternum.
D. Place the dorsum of the hand on the client's forehead. - ANSWER Correct answer is B.
A male client who is admitted for an acute brain attack reports the onset of a burning sensation
in his hands and legs. Which action should the nurse implement to identify additional findings
that are consistent with the client's paresthesia?
A. Evaluate client's muscle strength and hand grips.
B. Observe skin for erythema, edema, and warmth.
C. Review the client's serum electrolytes. D. Check distal phalanges capillary refill - ANSWER
Correct answer is A.
A client is being evaluated for environmental allergies. While examining the client's nasal
passage, which finding suggests to the nurse that the client is experiencing allergic rhinitis?
A. Purulent secretions from eyes and nares.
B. Eye tearing and thick yellow nasal drainage.
