University of Pennsylvania HESI Assessment
Exam Review 2025: Complete Study Guide with
Practice Questions, Detailed Answers, and
Proven Test Strategies for Nursing School
Success
A client comes to the clinic with a report of fever and a recent exposure to someone who
was diagnosed with meningitis. Which nursing assessment should be completed during
the initial examination of this client?
-Level of consciousness.
-Gait characteristics.
-Presence of trauma.
-Bladder control ability. - - correct ans- --Level of consciousness.
Initial symptoms of meningitis include headache, fatigue, stiff neck, and changes in
level of consciousness. It is necessary to determine if the client is demonstrating signs
of meningitis before planning immediate care.
A nurse is working in a healthcare facility that serves a diverse population. What
action(s) by the nurse will allow the nurse to empathize with and understand this
population? (Select all that apply.)
Be open to people who are different.
-Have a curiosity about people.
-Become culturally competent.
-Interact with each person in the same way.
,-Request nurses take care of patients with the same ethnicity.
-Always request an interpreter for people from other countries. - - correct ans- --Be
open to people who are different.
-Have a curiosity about people.
-Become culturally competent.
As a health professional, the nurse is expected to listen to, empathize with, and
understand people. To fulfill this role, nurses must first be open to people who are
different from them, have a curiosity about people, and begin a journey to being
culturally competent.
While performing a mental status exam (MSE), the nurse asks a client to remember
three unrelated words and repeat them later. The client was able to repeat the words as
directed. Which computer documentation is accurate?
-"Exhibits an above average intelligence."
-"Reflects no apparent lapses in concentration."
-"Demonstrates appropriate judgment in everyday scenario."
-"Short-term memory is intact." - - correct ans- --"Short-term memory is intact."
The nurse can determine that the client's short-term memory is functional. The
situation as described depicts the expected outcome of a mental status exam in that
the client is able to remember and repeat the words as directed.
The nurse palpates a weak pedal pulse in the client's right foot. Which assessment
findings should the RN document that are consistent with diminished peripheral
circulation? (Select all that apply.)
-Diminished hair on legs
-Bruising on extremities
-Skin cool to touch
,-Capillary refill less than 3 seconds
-Darkened skin on extremities - - correct ans- --Diminished hair on legs
-Skin cool to touch
Diminished hair on the legs and skin that is cool to touch are symptoms of decreased
arterial blood flow. The other options are not indicators for impaired peripheral
circulation.
The nurse is interviewing a client who reports having a persistent, productive cough
during the winter caused by bronchitis. Which additional finding should the nurse
assess for bronchitis?
-Phlegm production and wheezing.
-Smoking history.
-Hemoptysis.
-Night sweats. - - correct ans- --Phlegm production and wheezing.
A chronic, seasonal cough related to bronchitis is likely accompanied with phlegm
production and wheezing. Although smoking can contribute to a chronic cough, the
typical seasonal cough is an inflammatory reaction to seasonal changes.
Which action should the registered nurse (RN) implement to complete an assessment
for a client while using an interpreter?
-Ask closed-ended questions with the assistance of the interpreter.
-Maintain eye contact with the client while listening to the translation.
-Instruct interpreter to answer questions from interpreter's point of view.
-Protect the client's privacy by asking a limited number of questions. - - correct ans- --
Maintain eye contact with the client while listening to the translation.
, When completing an assessment, the RN should maintain eye contact with the client to
gather additional information from the client's nonverbal cues.
Which part of the body should the nurse examine when assessing for peripheral edema
in a client with heart failure?
-Face.
-Ankles.
-Knees.
-Jugular veins. - - correct ans- --Ankles.
Edema is caused by fluid accumulating in the interstitial spaces. Dependent extremities
such as the feet and ankles are more prone to peripheral edema caused by conditions
such as heart failure, so the nurse should assess the ankles for dependent edema.
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for an Asian client who refuses to make eye contact
during conversations. How should the RN assess this client's response?
-The client cannot understand the nurse.
-The client is uncomfortable with the nurse.
-The client is treating the nurse with respect.
-The client is purposefully disrespecting the nurse. - - correct ans- --The client is treating
the nurse with respect.
In some Asian cultures, it is not appropriate to look a person of authority in the eye, so
the client is being respectful by looking down while speaking with the nurse.
An adult client is in the clinic for a regular physical examination. The nurse is assessing
the client's hydration status by pinching then releasing the client's skin. Which finding is
indicative of good hydration status?
Exam Review 2025: Complete Study Guide with
Practice Questions, Detailed Answers, and
Proven Test Strategies for Nursing School
Success
A client comes to the clinic with a report of fever and a recent exposure to someone who
was diagnosed with meningitis. Which nursing assessment should be completed during
the initial examination of this client?
-Level of consciousness.
-Gait characteristics.
-Presence of trauma.
-Bladder control ability. - - correct ans- --Level of consciousness.
Initial symptoms of meningitis include headache, fatigue, stiff neck, and changes in
level of consciousness. It is necessary to determine if the client is demonstrating signs
of meningitis before planning immediate care.
A nurse is working in a healthcare facility that serves a diverse population. What
action(s) by the nurse will allow the nurse to empathize with and understand this
population? (Select all that apply.)
Be open to people who are different.
-Have a curiosity about people.
-Become culturally competent.
-Interact with each person in the same way.
,-Request nurses take care of patients with the same ethnicity.
-Always request an interpreter for people from other countries. - - correct ans- --Be
open to people who are different.
-Have a curiosity about people.
-Become culturally competent.
As a health professional, the nurse is expected to listen to, empathize with, and
understand people. To fulfill this role, nurses must first be open to people who are
different from them, have a curiosity about people, and begin a journey to being
culturally competent.
While performing a mental status exam (MSE), the nurse asks a client to remember
three unrelated words and repeat them later. The client was able to repeat the words as
directed. Which computer documentation is accurate?
-"Exhibits an above average intelligence."
-"Reflects no apparent lapses in concentration."
-"Demonstrates appropriate judgment in everyday scenario."
-"Short-term memory is intact." - - correct ans- --"Short-term memory is intact."
The nurse can determine that the client's short-term memory is functional. The
situation as described depicts the expected outcome of a mental status exam in that
the client is able to remember and repeat the words as directed.
The nurse palpates a weak pedal pulse in the client's right foot. Which assessment
findings should the RN document that are consistent with diminished peripheral
circulation? (Select all that apply.)
-Diminished hair on legs
-Bruising on extremities
-Skin cool to touch
,-Capillary refill less than 3 seconds
-Darkened skin on extremities - - correct ans- --Diminished hair on legs
-Skin cool to touch
Diminished hair on the legs and skin that is cool to touch are symptoms of decreased
arterial blood flow. The other options are not indicators for impaired peripheral
circulation.
The nurse is interviewing a client who reports having a persistent, productive cough
during the winter caused by bronchitis. Which additional finding should the nurse
assess for bronchitis?
-Phlegm production and wheezing.
-Smoking history.
-Hemoptysis.
-Night sweats. - - correct ans- --Phlegm production and wheezing.
A chronic, seasonal cough related to bronchitis is likely accompanied with phlegm
production and wheezing. Although smoking can contribute to a chronic cough, the
typical seasonal cough is an inflammatory reaction to seasonal changes.
Which action should the registered nurse (RN) implement to complete an assessment
for a client while using an interpreter?
-Ask closed-ended questions with the assistance of the interpreter.
-Maintain eye contact with the client while listening to the translation.
-Instruct interpreter to answer questions from interpreter's point of view.
-Protect the client's privacy by asking a limited number of questions. - - correct ans- --
Maintain eye contact with the client while listening to the translation.
, When completing an assessment, the RN should maintain eye contact with the client to
gather additional information from the client's nonverbal cues.
Which part of the body should the nurse examine when assessing for peripheral edema
in a client with heart failure?
-Face.
-Ankles.
-Knees.
-Jugular veins. - - correct ans- --Ankles.
Edema is caused by fluid accumulating in the interstitial spaces. Dependent extremities
such as the feet and ankles are more prone to peripheral edema caused by conditions
such as heart failure, so the nurse should assess the ankles for dependent edema.
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for an Asian client who refuses to make eye contact
during conversations. How should the RN assess this client's response?
-The client cannot understand the nurse.
-The client is uncomfortable with the nurse.
-The client is treating the nurse with respect.
-The client is purposefully disrespecting the nurse. - - correct ans- --The client is treating
the nurse with respect.
In some Asian cultures, it is not appropriate to look a person of authority in the eye, so
the client is being respectful by looking down while speaking with the nurse.
An adult client is in the clinic for a regular physical examination. The nurse is assessing
the client's hydration status by pinching then releasing the client's skin. Which finding is
indicative of good hydration status?
