NURS 320 HESI EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Abnormal hair - ANSWER-Dull, dry, sparse (due to lack of protein, zinc, or linoleic
acid); color changes (due to def. in protein or copper); corkscrew hair (due to def. in
copper).
Normal eyes - ANSWER-Corneas are clear and shiny. Membranes are pink and
moist. No sores at corners of eyelids.
Abnormal eyes - ANSWER-Foamy plaques (Bitot spots) (due to def. Vit. A); dryness
(xeropththalmia) (due to def. Vit. A); softening (keratomalacia) (due to def. Vit. A);
pale conjunctivae (due to def. iron, Vit. B6 and B12); red conjunctivae (due to def.
riboflavin); blepharitis (due to def. Vit. B and biotin).
Normal lips - ANSWER-Smooth, not chapped or swollen.
Abnormal lips - ANSWER-Cheilosis (vertical cracks on lips) (due to riboflavin and
niacin def.); angular stomatitis (red cracks at sides of mouth) (due to def. riboflavin,
niacin, iron, and B6).
Normal tongue - ANSWER-Red in appearance, not swollen or smooth, no lesions.
Abnormal tongue - ANSWER-Glossitis (beefy red) (due to def. Vit. B); pale (iron
def.); papillary atrophy (def. niacin); papillary hypertrophy (def. in mult. nutrients);
magenta or purplish color (def. in riboflavin).
Normal gums - ANSWER-Reddish pink, firm, no swelling or bleeding.
Abnormal gums - ANSWER-Bleeding (def. Vit. C).
Normal nails - ANSWER-Smooth, pink.
Abnormal nails - ANSWER-Brittle, ridged, or spoon shaped (koilonychia) (due to def.
Iron); splinter hemorrhages (due to def. Vit. C).
How to calculate BMI - ANSWER-weight (lbs) / height (in)^2 * 703
BMI ranges - ANSWER-<18.5 = underweight
18.5-24.9 = normal weight
25-29.9 = overweight
30-39.9 = obesity
40+ = extreme obesity
Marasmus - ANSWER-Protein-calorie malnutrition
,Kwashiorkor - ANSWER-Protein malnutrition
Scorbutic (Scurvy) Gums - ANSWER-Swollen, ulcerated, due to def. in Vit. C.
Ricket's - ANSWER-Vit. D/calcium def. in children, bow legs
Osteomalacia - ANSWER-Vit. D/calcium def. in adults
Pellagra - ANSWER-Niacin def. Skin spots.
3 main layers of the skin - ANSWER-1. Epidermis
2. Dermis
3. SubQ
Epidermis - ANSWER-Thin but tough. Basal cell layer (keratin), melanocytes, horny
cell layer (dead cells). Completely replaced q 4 weeks.
3 factors that contribute to skin color - ANSWER-1. Melanin
2. Carotene
3. Vascular bed
Dermis - ANSWER-Collagen. Nerves, receptors, and vessels. Hair follicles and
glands.
SubQ layer - ANSWER-Adipose (insulation, cushion).
Vellus hair - ANSWER-Peachfuzz
Terminal hair - ANSWER-Thicker hair, on our scalp, axilla, groin
Eccrine gland VS Aprocrine gland - ANSWER-Eccrine- sweat
Aprocrine- thick, milky
Fxns of the skin - ANSWER--Protection
-Barrier
-Perception
-Temperature regulation
-ID
-Communication
-Wound repair
-Absorption & excretion
-Production of vit. D
Lanugo - ANSWER-Fine, downy hair present in womb and at birth
Vernix caseosa - ANSWER-Cheese substance on newborn, sebum and shed epi.
cells
Is pigment system 100% effective at birth? - ANSWER-No; which is why lots of black
babies are "born white"
,Linea nigra - ANSWER-Midline of the abdomen sometimes seen in pregnant women
Chloasma - ANSWER-Darkening of face in pregnant women
Skin cancer rates - ANSWER-Whites are 20x more likely than blacks to get skin
cancer.
Keloids - ANSWER-Scars that form at site of wound and grow beyond the wound.
Pseudofollicultis - ANSWER-Razor bumps
Melasma - ANSWER-"Mask of pregnancy," skin darkening in face during pregnancy.
Pruritis - ANSWER-Severe itching of the skin.
Alopecia VS hirsutism - ANSWER-Alopecia- significant hair loss.
Hirsutism- shaggy or excessive hair.
Vitiligo - ANSWER-Absence of melanin in patchy areas.
Ephelides - ANSWER-Freckles - small, flat macules
Nevus - ANSWER-Mole - clump of melanocytes, flat or raised.
ABCDE - ANSWER-A- assymetry
B- border
C- color
D- diameter greater than 6mm
E- elevation or evolution
Spoon nails with concave shape could be... - ANSWER-Anemia.
Erythema could be... - ANSWER-Polycythemia, venous stasis, carbon monoxide
poisoning, bruising.
How is jaundice FIRST noted? - ANSWER-Mouth and sclera of eyes.
Cyanosis could indicate... - ANSWER-Hypoxemia, shock, cardiac arrest, heart
failure, chronic bronchitis, and congenital heart disease.
Diaphoresis - ANSWER-Excessive sweating.
Hypothermia could indicate... - ANSWER-Raynaud disease, cardiac arrest, arterial
deficiency.
Hyperthermia could indicate... - ANSWER-Hyperthyroidism.
Edema - ANSWER-1+: Mild, slight indent
2+: Moderate, indent subsides rapidly
, 3+: Deep, remains for a short time
4+: Very deep, remains for a long time
Peau d'orange - ANSWER-Hair follicles are very prominent, due to edema.
Scleroderma - ANSWER-"Hard skin"
Nail curvature - ANSWER-Normal: 160 degrees
Curved nail: 160 degrees or less
Early clubbing: 180 degrees
Brown linear streaks in nails - ANSWER-Can indicate Melanoma.
Mongolian spot - ANSWER-Skin darkenings usually found in minority newborns.
Cafe au lait spots - ANSWER-"Coffee with milk" spots, light brown.
Harlequin color change - ANSWER-When baby is in side-lying position and the lower
half of their body turns red and the upper half blanches.
Erythema toxicum - ANSWER-Common newborn rash, "flea bite rash."
Acrocyanosis - ANSWER-Bluish color that fades when warm
Cutis marmorata - ANSWER-In response to cold. (If persists, it could mean Down's)
Carotenemia - ANSWER-Too much carotene turns ya orange (like Ali when she was
little)
Milia - ANSWER-Baby acne, like with Benjamin
Common baby birthmarks - ANSWER-Stork bite, Port-wine stain.
Vascular spiders - ANSWER-Common in pregnancy
Senile lentigines - ANSWER-Liver spots
Annular lesion pattern - ANSWER-Circular, begins in center then spreads out
Confluent lesion pattern - ANSWER-Runs together
Discrete lesion pattern - ANSWER-Individual, separate
Gyrate lesion patterns - ANSWER-Spiral, like a worm
Zosteriform lesion patterns - ANSWER-Linear arrangement along nerve route
Macule - ANSWER-Freckle
Nodule - ANSWER-Can be deeper. (Eg. xanthoma).
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Abnormal hair - ANSWER-Dull, dry, sparse (due to lack of protein, zinc, or linoleic
acid); color changes (due to def. in protein or copper); corkscrew hair (due to def. in
copper).
Normal eyes - ANSWER-Corneas are clear and shiny. Membranes are pink and
moist. No sores at corners of eyelids.
Abnormal eyes - ANSWER-Foamy plaques (Bitot spots) (due to def. Vit. A); dryness
(xeropththalmia) (due to def. Vit. A); softening (keratomalacia) (due to def. Vit. A);
pale conjunctivae (due to def. iron, Vit. B6 and B12); red conjunctivae (due to def.
riboflavin); blepharitis (due to def. Vit. B and biotin).
Normal lips - ANSWER-Smooth, not chapped or swollen.
Abnormal lips - ANSWER-Cheilosis (vertical cracks on lips) (due to riboflavin and
niacin def.); angular stomatitis (red cracks at sides of mouth) (due to def. riboflavin,
niacin, iron, and B6).
Normal tongue - ANSWER-Red in appearance, not swollen or smooth, no lesions.
Abnormal tongue - ANSWER-Glossitis (beefy red) (due to def. Vit. B); pale (iron
def.); papillary atrophy (def. niacin); papillary hypertrophy (def. in mult. nutrients);
magenta or purplish color (def. in riboflavin).
Normal gums - ANSWER-Reddish pink, firm, no swelling or bleeding.
Abnormal gums - ANSWER-Bleeding (def. Vit. C).
Normal nails - ANSWER-Smooth, pink.
Abnormal nails - ANSWER-Brittle, ridged, or spoon shaped (koilonychia) (due to def.
Iron); splinter hemorrhages (due to def. Vit. C).
How to calculate BMI - ANSWER-weight (lbs) / height (in)^2 * 703
BMI ranges - ANSWER-<18.5 = underweight
18.5-24.9 = normal weight
25-29.9 = overweight
30-39.9 = obesity
40+ = extreme obesity
Marasmus - ANSWER-Protein-calorie malnutrition
,Kwashiorkor - ANSWER-Protein malnutrition
Scorbutic (Scurvy) Gums - ANSWER-Swollen, ulcerated, due to def. in Vit. C.
Ricket's - ANSWER-Vit. D/calcium def. in children, bow legs
Osteomalacia - ANSWER-Vit. D/calcium def. in adults
Pellagra - ANSWER-Niacin def. Skin spots.
3 main layers of the skin - ANSWER-1. Epidermis
2. Dermis
3. SubQ
Epidermis - ANSWER-Thin but tough. Basal cell layer (keratin), melanocytes, horny
cell layer (dead cells). Completely replaced q 4 weeks.
3 factors that contribute to skin color - ANSWER-1. Melanin
2. Carotene
3. Vascular bed
Dermis - ANSWER-Collagen. Nerves, receptors, and vessels. Hair follicles and
glands.
SubQ layer - ANSWER-Adipose (insulation, cushion).
Vellus hair - ANSWER-Peachfuzz
Terminal hair - ANSWER-Thicker hair, on our scalp, axilla, groin
Eccrine gland VS Aprocrine gland - ANSWER-Eccrine- sweat
Aprocrine- thick, milky
Fxns of the skin - ANSWER--Protection
-Barrier
-Perception
-Temperature regulation
-ID
-Communication
-Wound repair
-Absorption & excretion
-Production of vit. D
Lanugo - ANSWER-Fine, downy hair present in womb and at birth
Vernix caseosa - ANSWER-Cheese substance on newborn, sebum and shed epi.
cells
Is pigment system 100% effective at birth? - ANSWER-No; which is why lots of black
babies are "born white"
,Linea nigra - ANSWER-Midline of the abdomen sometimes seen in pregnant women
Chloasma - ANSWER-Darkening of face in pregnant women
Skin cancer rates - ANSWER-Whites are 20x more likely than blacks to get skin
cancer.
Keloids - ANSWER-Scars that form at site of wound and grow beyond the wound.
Pseudofollicultis - ANSWER-Razor bumps
Melasma - ANSWER-"Mask of pregnancy," skin darkening in face during pregnancy.
Pruritis - ANSWER-Severe itching of the skin.
Alopecia VS hirsutism - ANSWER-Alopecia- significant hair loss.
Hirsutism- shaggy or excessive hair.
Vitiligo - ANSWER-Absence of melanin in patchy areas.
Ephelides - ANSWER-Freckles - small, flat macules
Nevus - ANSWER-Mole - clump of melanocytes, flat or raised.
ABCDE - ANSWER-A- assymetry
B- border
C- color
D- diameter greater than 6mm
E- elevation or evolution
Spoon nails with concave shape could be... - ANSWER-Anemia.
Erythema could be... - ANSWER-Polycythemia, venous stasis, carbon monoxide
poisoning, bruising.
How is jaundice FIRST noted? - ANSWER-Mouth and sclera of eyes.
Cyanosis could indicate... - ANSWER-Hypoxemia, shock, cardiac arrest, heart
failure, chronic bronchitis, and congenital heart disease.
Diaphoresis - ANSWER-Excessive sweating.
Hypothermia could indicate... - ANSWER-Raynaud disease, cardiac arrest, arterial
deficiency.
Hyperthermia could indicate... - ANSWER-Hyperthyroidism.
Edema - ANSWER-1+: Mild, slight indent
2+: Moderate, indent subsides rapidly
, 3+: Deep, remains for a short time
4+: Very deep, remains for a long time
Peau d'orange - ANSWER-Hair follicles are very prominent, due to edema.
Scleroderma - ANSWER-"Hard skin"
Nail curvature - ANSWER-Normal: 160 degrees
Curved nail: 160 degrees or less
Early clubbing: 180 degrees
Brown linear streaks in nails - ANSWER-Can indicate Melanoma.
Mongolian spot - ANSWER-Skin darkenings usually found in minority newborns.
Cafe au lait spots - ANSWER-"Coffee with milk" spots, light brown.
Harlequin color change - ANSWER-When baby is in side-lying position and the lower
half of their body turns red and the upper half blanches.
Erythema toxicum - ANSWER-Common newborn rash, "flea bite rash."
Acrocyanosis - ANSWER-Bluish color that fades when warm
Cutis marmorata - ANSWER-In response to cold. (If persists, it could mean Down's)
Carotenemia - ANSWER-Too much carotene turns ya orange (like Ali when she was
little)
Milia - ANSWER-Baby acne, like with Benjamin
Common baby birthmarks - ANSWER-Stork bite, Port-wine stain.
Vascular spiders - ANSWER-Common in pregnancy
Senile lentigines - ANSWER-Liver spots
Annular lesion pattern - ANSWER-Circular, begins in center then spreads out
Confluent lesion pattern - ANSWER-Runs together
Discrete lesion pattern - ANSWER-Individual, separate
Gyrate lesion patterns - ANSWER-Spiral, like a worm
Zosteriform lesion patterns - ANSWER-Linear arrangement along nerve route
Macule - ANSWER-Freckle
Nodule - ANSWER-Can be deeper. (Eg. xanthoma).
