HESI Case Study: Heart and Neck
Assessment 2025/2026
Client is a 58 y.o. male. He is admitted directly to the cardiac telemetry unit from
his HCP's office with a hx of increasingly frequent periods of dyspnea, dizziness,
and minor chest discomfort.
During the admission assessment, the nurse first measures client's VS and oxygen
saturation. The VS and oxygen saturation are within normal parameters, although
the radial pulse rhythm is irregular.
Based on the client's report of increasingly frequent periods of dyspnea, dizziness,
and minor chest discomfort, what assessment should the nurse perform next?
a. Ask the client to stand and then recheck the BP
b. Place the client in a supine position and observe for orthopnea
c. Measure the apical and radial pulse rates at the same time
d. Determine if the client is currently experiencing any angina - ANSWER
Determine if the client is currently experiencing any angina
*Because the client has a hx of chest discomfort, the nurse should first determine if
the client is currently experiencing angina. Angina should be treated immediately
to reduce the risk of myocardial damage
Client denies any angina. After palpating an irregular pulse rhythm at the left radial
pulse site, what action should the nurse take to confirm the client's HR?
a. Palpate both radial pulses simultaneously
b. Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 min
c. Compare the ulnar pulse to the radial pulse
d. Ask the client if he experiences palpitations - ANSWER
Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 min
, *Auscultation of the apical pulse is the most accurate method to determine HR and
rhythm because the nurse is listening directly over the heart, rather than depending
on the transmission of the pulse to a distal site, such as the radial pulse site.
The client's apical rate is 92 and irregular, consistent with the radial pulse. The
nurse implements cardiac telemetry monitoring, obtains oxygen for PRN use, and
begins tx for client's irregular heart rhythm as prescribed. After gathering the initial
priority data, the nurse interviews him to gather subjective data related to his
cardiac function.
To gather data about client's hx of chest. pain, how should the nurse begin?
a. Encourage the client to describe his chest discomfort
b. Determine if the chest pain has radiated to other sites
c. Question the client about the frequency of his symptoms
d. Ask the client to rate his chest pain on a numeric scale. - ANSWER
Encourage the client to describe his chest discomfort
*Because chest pain can manifest in a number of ways, the nurse should begin by
obtaining information related to any type of chest discomfort so that further
responses by the client include info related to any type of chest discomfort he has
experienced.
Client reports feeling pressure on his chest sometimes, stating it stops when he sits
down and rests. He also tells the nurse that he feels tired a lot lately. He states, "I
guess that's part of growing older".
To obtain info that will help distinguish whether the client's fatigue is cardiac in
nature, what question should the nurse ask him?
a. "Why do you feel your fatigue is related to your age?"
b. "Can you describe the quality of your fatigue?"
c. "What do you do when you feel tired?"
d. "At what time of day do you feel most fatigued?" - ANSWER
"At what time of day do you feel most fatigued?"
Assessment 2025/2026
Client is a 58 y.o. male. He is admitted directly to the cardiac telemetry unit from
his HCP's office with a hx of increasingly frequent periods of dyspnea, dizziness,
and minor chest discomfort.
During the admission assessment, the nurse first measures client's VS and oxygen
saturation. The VS and oxygen saturation are within normal parameters, although
the radial pulse rhythm is irregular.
Based on the client's report of increasingly frequent periods of dyspnea, dizziness,
and minor chest discomfort, what assessment should the nurse perform next?
a. Ask the client to stand and then recheck the BP
b. Place the client in a supine position and observe for orthopnea
c. Measure the apical and radial pulse rates at the same time
d. Determine if the client is currently experiencing any angina - ANSWER
Determine if the client is currently experiencing any angina
*Because the client has a hx of chest discomfort, the nurse should first determine if
the client is currently experiencing angina. Angina should be treated immediately
to reduce the risk of myocardial damage
Client denies any angina. After palpating an irregular pulse rhythm at the left radial
pulse site, what action should the nurse take to confirm the client's HR?
a. Palpate both radial pulses simultaneously
b. Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 min
c. Compare the ulnar pulse to the radial pulse
d. Ask the client if he experiences palpitations - ANSWER
Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 min
, *Auscultation of the apical pulse is the most accurate method to determine HR and
rhythm because the nurse is listening directly over the heart, rather than depending
on the transmission of the pulse to a distal site, such as the radial pulse site.
The client's apical rate is 92 and irregular, consistent with the radial pulse. The
nurse implements cardiac telemetry monitoring, obtains oxygen for PRN use, and
begins tx for client's irregular heart rhythm as prescribed. After gathering the initial
priority data, the nurse interviews him to gather subjective data related to his
cardiac function.
To gather data about client's hx of chest. pain, how should the nurse begin?
a. Encourage the client to describe his chest discomfort
b. Determine if the chest pain has radiated to other sites
c. Question the client about the frequency of his symptoms
d. Ask the client to rate his chest pain on a numeric scale. - ANSWER
Encourage the client to describe his chest discomfort
*Because chest pain can manifest in a number of ways, the nurse should begin by
obtaining information related to any type of chest discomfort so that further
responses by the client include info related to any type of chest discomfort he has
experienced.
Client reports feeling pressure on his chest sometimes, stating it stops when he sits
down and rests. He also tells the nurse that he feels tired a lot lately. He states, "I
guess that's part of growing older".
To obtain info that will help distinguish whether the client's fatigue is cardiac in
nature, what question should the nurse ask him?
a. "Why do you feel your fatigue is related to your age?"
b. "Can you describe the quality of your fatigue?"
c. "What do you do when you feel tired?"
d. "At what time of day do you feel most fatigued?" - ANSWER
"At what time of day do you feel most fatigued?"
