HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
LATEST VERSION UPDATED AND REVISED IN 2024-2025
A 29 year old male client informs the nurse that he came to the clinic to see if,
"Maybe I have lung cancer or something," and wants to get checked out since, "I
can't seem to get rid of this body-wracking dry cough that has been hanging around
for the last six weeks." Which computer documentation of this client's concerns
should the nurse enter?
A. Presents with a hacking non-productive cough of 6 weeks duration.
B. Describe having a "body-wracking dry cough" of 6 weeks duration.
C. Expresses concern of "lung cancer" symptoms for last 6 weeks.
D. Young adult male presents with fears that he has "lung cancer"
(- Correct answer is B, as assessment process includes chief complaint which is
how the patient describe why he is here in the hospital or clinic and can't include
diagnosis.
A 75-year-old client with a recent history of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
presents with right hemiparesis. The nurse tests the deep tendon reflexes on the
right side and elicits a brisk 4+ response. Which interpretation of this finding is
accurate?
A. A normal reflex response.
B. Absent or sluggish response consistent with a lower motor neuron lesion.
C. Flaccid paralysis.
D. Hyperactive response consistent with an upper motor neuron disorder.
(- Correct answer is D, brisk 4+ response is correlated with hyperactive response.
,The nurse examines a client's abdomen. Which finding indicates an abnormal
response when palpating the spleen?
A. Pain notes when palpating McBurney's point.
B. Tip of spleen palpable when client is asked to forcefully exhale.
C. Rebound tenderness with compression over right upper quadrant. D. Firm mass
palpated at bottom of left rib cage.
(- Correct answer is D. McBurney's point is related to appendicitis and not spleen.
In auscultating for the presence of a carotid artery bruit, the nurse places the bell of
the stethoscope at which location? (- *under mandible towards lymph nodes.
transverse to trachea
A male client arrives at the clinic for follow-up health assessment after recent
antibiotic treatment for pneumonia without hospitalization. Which technique
should the nurse implement to assess for adventitious lung sounds?
A. Use the bell of the stethoscope to listen to the lung fields over lower lobes. B.
Have the client lay flat while listening to the anterior surface of the chest.
C. Press the stethoscope's diaphragm firmly on the skin over each lung field.
D. Shave all chest hair that may distort sounds heard through the diaphragm. (-
Correct answer is C. The nurse should listen to all lungs fields during
assessment and move from side to side during auscultation.
A client with streptococcus pharyngitis reports high fever, difficulty swallowing
and a muffled voice. Which complication should the nurse suspect? A. Foreign
body obstruction.
B. Laryngeal polyps.
, C. Peritonsillar abscess.
D. Nasal polyps
(- Correct answer is C. Since infections are associated with abscesses and pus.
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. Obtain a drug using screen to verify legitimacy of client's stated history.
B. Allow the client to decline answering social questions.
C. Ask specifically about alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, her
D. Use the term illegal or illicit to describe street drug.
(- Correct answer is C. When interviewing the patient, questions should be clear
and specific.
The nurse applies pressure over an area of the lower abdomen where the client
reports pain. The client denies pain upon palpation, but reports pain when the
pressure is released. What action should the nurse implement? A. Offer to
administer a laxative prescribed for PRN use.
B. Obtain a prescription to catheterize the client's bladder.
C. Instruct the client in distraction and relation techniques.
D. Notify the healthcare provider of the rebound tenderness.
(- Correct answer is D. As this could be a sign of appendicitis.
The nurse is assessing an ulcer on a client's lower extremity, which is likely the
result of either venous or arterial insufficiency. Which assessment technique
LATEST VERSION UPDATED AND REVISED IN 2024-2025
A 29 year old male client informs the nurse that he came to the clinic to see if,
"Maybe I have lung cancer or something," and wants to get checked out since, "I
can't seem to get rid of this body-wracking dry cough that has been hanging around
for the last six weeks." Which computer documentation of this client's concerns
should the nurse enter?
A. Presents with a hacking non-productive cough of 6 weeks duration.
B. Describe having a "body-wracking dry cough" of 6 weeks duration.
C. Expresses concern of "lung cancer" symptoms for last 6 weeks.
D. Young adult male presents with fears that he has "lung cancer"
(- Correct answer is B, as assessment process includes chief complaint which is
how the patient describe why he is here in the hospital or clinic and can't include
diagnosis.
A 75-year-old client with a recent history of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
presents with right hemiparesis. The nurse tests the deep tendon reflexes on the
right side and elicits a brisk 4+ response. Which interpretation of this finding is
accurate?
A. A normal reflex response.
B. Absent or sluggish response consistent with a lower motor neuron lesion.
C. Flaccid paralysis.
D. Hyperactive response consistent with an upper motor neuron disorder.
(- Correct answer is D, brisk 4+ response is correlated with hyperactive response.
,The nurse examines a client's abdomen. Which finding indicates an abnormal
response when palpating the spleen?
A. Pain notes when palpating McBurney's point.
B. Tip of spleen palpable when client is asked to forcefully exhale.
C. Rebound tenderness with compression over right upper quadrant. D. Firm mass
palpated at bottom of left rib cage.
(- Correct answer is D. McBurney's point is related to appendicitis and not spleen.
In auscultating for the presence of a carotid artery bruit, the nurse places the bell of
the stethoscope at which location? (- *under mandible towards lymph nodes.
transverse to trachea
A male client arrives at the clinic for follow-up health assessment after recent
antibiotic treatment for pneumonia without hospitalization. Which technique
should the nurse implement to assess for adventitious lung sounds?
A. Use the bell of the stethoscope to listen to the lung fields over lower lobes. B.
Have the client lay flat while listening to the anterior surface of the chest.
C. Press the stethoscope's diaphragm firmly on the skin over each lung field.
D. Shave all chest hair that may distort sounds heard through the diaphragm. (-
Correct answer is C. The nurse should listen to all lungs fields during
assessment and move from side to side during auscultation.
A client with streptococcus pharyngitis reports high fever, difficulty swallowing
and a muffled voice. Which complication should the nurse suspect? A. Foreign
body obstruction.
B. Laryngeal polyps.
, C. Peritonsillar abscess.
D. Nasal polyps
(- Correct answer is C. Since infections are associated with abscesses and pus.
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. Obtain a drug using screen to verify legitimacy of client's stated history.
B. Allow the client to decline answering social questions.
C. Ask specifically about alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, her
D. Use the term illegal or illicit to describe street drug.
(- Correct answer is C. When interviewing the patient, questions should be clear
and specific.
The nurse applies pressure over an area of the lower abdomen where the client
reports pain. The client denies pain upon palpation, but reports pain when the
pressure is released. What action should the nurse implement? A. Offer to
administer a laxative prescribed for PRN use.
B. Obtain a prescription to catheterize the client's bladder.
C. Instruct the client in distraction and relation techniques.
D. Notify the healthcare provider of the rebound tenderness.
(- Correct answer is D. As this could be a sign of appendicitis.
The nurse is assessing an ulcer on a client's lower extremity, which is likely the
result of either venous or arterial insufficiency. Which assessment technique
