2025Physical
Assessment HESI Practice Exam: Comprehensive
NCLEX-Style Questions with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales for Nursing Students
1. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home for
chronic hypertension management? a. Exercise bicycle b.
Sphygmomanometer
c. Blood glucose monitor
d. Weekly medication box
Correct Answer: b. Sphygmomanometer
Rationale: A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure, which is
essential in managing hypertension.
2. Which assessment finding indicates a complication of immobility in a
bedridden client? a. Decreased pedal pulses b. Edema in upper extremities
c. Loss of appetite for food
d. Stiffness in right ankle joint
Correct Answer: d. Stiffness in right ankle joint
Rationale: Joint stiffness indicates decreased mobility and is a common complication
of prolonged immobility.
3. Which cultural issues should the RN assess when preparing a client with TB for
discharge? (Select all that apply.) a. Native language b. Education level
c. Type of lifestyle
d. Financial resources
e. Previous medical history
Correct Answers: a, b, c
Rationale: Understanding the client’s native language, education, and lifestyle helps
tailor education and treatment adherence.
4. Which lab value is expected to be elevated in a client with acute
pancreatitis? a. Triglycerides b. Amylase
c. Creatinine
d. Uric acid
Correct Answer: b. Amylase
Rationale: Amylase is an enzyme elevated in acute pancreatitis due to pancreatic cell
damage.
5. What is the primary goal in caring for a client during alcohol detoxification?
, a. The client maintains optimal nutritional status.
b. The client will remain alert and oriented.
c. The client will remain free from injury.
d. The client will remain alcohol-free during hospitalization. Correct Answer: c. The
client will remain free from injury
Rationale: Clients detoxing from alcohol are at risk for seizures and falls, making
safety the top priority.
6. Which condition is associated with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea? a.
Chronic bronchitis
b. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
c. Heart failure (HF)
d. Chronic pancreatitis
Correct Answer: c. Heart failure (HF)
Rationale: HF leads to fluid accumulation and pulmonary congestion, causing PND.
7. What is assessed with the MMSE task of counting by 7s? a. Recall of information
b. Orientation to surroundings
c. Attention to details
d. Ability to follow complex commands
Correct Answer: c. Attention to details
Rationale: Serial 7s assess concentration and attention span.
8. Which communication techniques should be used during MMSE to decrease client
anxiety? (Select all that apply.) a. Use simple sentences b. Move to another
question if confused
c. Reduce environmental detractors
d. Allow family to answer
e. Ask questions one at a time
Correct Answers: c, e
Rationale: Reducing distractions and asking questions one at a time helps clients focus
and reduces anxiety.
9. Which findings are consistent with diminished peripheral circulation? (Select
all that apply.) a. Diminished hair on legs b. Bruising on extremities
c. Skin cool to touch
d. Capillary refill < 3 seconds
e. Darkened skin on extremities
Correct Answers: a, c
Rationale: Poor circulation reduces nutrients to tissues, causing hair loss and cool skin.
10. What is the purpose of pursed-lip breathing in emphysema? a. Decreases
respiratory rate
, b. Increases O2 saturation
c. Conserves energy
d. Promotes CO2 elimination
Correct Answer: d. Promotes CO2 elimination
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing prolongs exhalation, promoting the removal of CO2.
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for a client who has a closed head injury from a motor
vehicle collision. Which finding should the RN assess the client for the risk of diabetes
insipidus (DI)?
High fever.
Low blood pressure.
Muscle rigidity.
Polydipsia. - - correct ans- -polydipsia
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for a client with aplastic anemia who is hospitalized for
weight loss and generalized weakness. Laboratory values show a white blood count (WBC) of
2,500/ mm3 and a platelet countof 160,000/mm3. Which intervention is the primary focus
in the client's plan of care for the RN to implement?
Assist with frequent ambulation.
Encourage visitors to visit.
Maintain strict protective precautions.
Avoid peripheral injections. - - correct ans- -maintain strict protective precautions
A female client calls the clinic and talks with the registered nurse (RN) to inquire about a
possible reaction after taking amoxicillin for 5 days. She reports having vaginal discomfort,
itching, and a white discharge. The RN should discuss which action with the client?
Discontinue the antibiotic because original symptoms have subsided.
Continue taking medication until finished until the symptoms subside.
Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect.
Use an over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal wash to flush out the secretions. - - correct ans-
consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect
Assessment HESI Practice Exam: Comprehensive
NCLEX-Style Questions with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales for Nursing Students
1. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home for
chronic hypertension management? a. Exercise bicycle b.
Sphygmomanometer
c. Blood glucose monitor
d. Weekly medication box
Correct Answer: b. Sphygmomanometer
Rationale: A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure, which is
essential in managing hypertension.
2. Which assessment finding indicates a complication of immobility in a
bedridden client? a. Decreased pedal pulses b. Edema in upper extremities
c. Loss of appetite for food
d. Stiffness in right ankle joint
Correct Answer: d. Stiffness in right ankle joint
Rationale: Joint stiffness indicates decreased mobility and is a common complication
of prolonged immobility.
3. Which cultural issues should the RN assess when preparing a client with TB for
discharge? (Select all that apply.) a. Native language b. Education level
c. Type of lifestyle
d. Financial resources
e. Previous medical history
Correct Answers: a, b, c
Rationale: Understanding the client’s native language, education, and lifestyle helps
tailor education and treatment adherence.
4. Which lab value is expected to be elevated in a client with acute
pancreatitis? a. Triglycerides b. Amylase
c. Creatinine
d. Uric acid
Correct Answer: b. Amylase
Rationale: Amylase is an enzyme elevated in acute pancreatitis due to pancreatic cell
damage.
5. What is the primary goal in caring for a client during alcohol detoxification?
, a. The client maintains optimal nutritional status.
b. The client will remain alert and oriented.
c. The client will remain free from injury.
d. The client will remain alcohol-free during hospitalization. Correct Answer: c. The
client will remain free from injury
Rationale: Clients detoxing from alcohol are at risk for seizures and falls, making
safety the top priority.
6. Which condition is associated with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea? a.
Chronic bronchitis
b. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
c. Heart failure (HF)
d. Chronic pancreatitis
Correct Answer: c. Heart failure (HF)
Rationale: HF leads to fluid accumulation and pulmonary congestion, causing PND.
7. What is assessed with the MMSE task of counting by 7s? a. Recall of information
b. Orientation to surroundings
c. Attention to details
d. Ability to follow complex commands
Correct Answer: c. Attention to details
Rationale: Serial 7s assess concentration and attention span.
8. Which communication techniques should be used during MMSE to decrease client
anxiety? (Select all that apply.) a. Use simple sentences b. Move to another
question if confused
c. Reduce environmental detractors
d. Allow family to answer
e. Ask questions one at a time
Correct Answers: c, e
Rationale: Reducing distractions and asking questions one at a time helps clients focus
and reduces anxiety.
9. Which findings are consistent with diminished peripheral circulation? (Select
all that apply.) a. Diminished hair on legs b. Bruising on extremities
c. Skin cool to touch
d. Capillary refill < 3 seconds
e. Darkened skin on extremities
Correct Answers: a, c
Rationale: Poor circulation reduces nutrients to tissues, causing hair loss and cool skin.
10. What is the purpose of pursed-lip breathing in emphysema? a. Decreases
respiratory rate
, b. Increases O2 saturation
c. Conserves energy
d. Promotes CO2 elimination
Correct Answer: d. Promotes CO2 elimination
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing prolongs exhalation, promoting the removal of CO2.
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for a client who has a closed head injury from a motor
vehicle collision. Which finding should the RN assess the client for the risk of diabetes
insipidus (DI)?
High fever.
Low blood pressure.
Muscle rigidity.
Polydipsia. - - correct ans- -polydipsia
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for a client with aplastic anemia who is hospitalized for
weight loss and generalized weakness. Laboratory values show a white blood count (WBC) of
2,500/ mm3 and a platelet countof 160,000/mm3. Which intervention is the primary focus
in the client's plan of care for the RN to implement?
Assist with frequent ambulation.
Encourage visitors to visit.
Maintain strict protective precautions.
Avoid peripheral injections. - - correct ans- -maintain strict protective precautions
A female client calls the clinic and talks with the registered nurse (RN) to inquire about a
possible reaction after taking amoxicillin for 5 days. She reports having vaginal discomfort,
itching, and a white discharge. The RN should discuss which action with the client?
Discontinue the antibiotic because original symptoms have subsided.
Continue taking medication until finished until the symptoms subside.
Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect.
Use an over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal wash to flush out the secretions. - - correct ans-
consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect
