NIGHTINGALE BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS .
1. Which technique is used first during a physical assessment of the abdomen?
A. Percussion
B. Auscultation
C. Palpation
D. Inspection
Answer: D. Inspection
Rationale: The sequence for abdominal assessment is inspection → auscultation →
percussion → palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
2. A patient presents with jaundice. What is the primary body system affected?
A. Cardiovascular
B. Respiratory
C. Hepatic
D. Musculoskeletal
Answer: C. Hepatic
Rationale: Jaundice indicates elevated bilirubin, typically associated with liver dysfunction.
3. When assessing lung sounds, which finding is considered normal?
A. Wheezing
B. Crackles
C. Bronchial sounds over the trachea
D. Diminished breath sounds at the bases
Answer: C. Bronchial sounds over the trachea
Rationale: Bronchial sounds are normal over the trachea, but abnormal if heard over
peripheral lung fields.
4. Which pulse site is most appropriate for assessing central perfusion?
A. Radial
B. Brachial
C. Carotid
D. Dorsalis pedis
Answer: C. Carotid
Rationale: The carotid pulse reflects central circulation, especially in emergencies.
1
, 5. What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
A. 40–60 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm
C. 100–120 bpm
D. 120–140 bpm
Answer: B. 60–100 bpm
Rationale: Normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute.
6. A nurse assesses a patient’s skin turgor. What does decreased turgor indicate?
A. Edema
B. Dehydration
C. Normal aging
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: B. Dehydration
Rationale: Poor skin turgor, with delayed return, indicates fluid loss or dehydration.
7. During a neurological assessment, a patient can’t raise their eyebrows. Which cranial
nerve may be impaired?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN VII (Facial)
C. CN III (Oculomotor)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: B. CN VII (Facial)
Rationale: CN VII controls facial expressions, including eyebrow elevation.
8. Which technique is used to assess for fluid in the lungs?
A. Inspection
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Palpation
Answer: C. Auscultation
Rationale: Crackles or rales heard on auscultation suggest fluid accumulation.
9. A patient has clubbing of the nails. What condition is this most associated with?
A. Liver disease
B. Chronic hypoxia
2
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS .
1. Which technique is used first during a physical assessment of the abdomen?
A. Percussion
B. Auscultation
C. Palpation
D. Inspection
Answer: D. Inspection
Rationale: The sequence for abdominal assessment is inspection → auscultation →
percussion → palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
2. A patient presents with jaundice. What is the primary body system affected?
A. Cardiovascular
B. Respiratory
C. Hepatic
D. Musculoskeletal
Answer: C. Hepatic
Rationale: Jaundice indicates elevated bilirubin, typically associated with liver dysfunction.
3. When assessing lung sounds, which finding is considered normal?
A. Wheezing
B. Crackles
C. Bronchial sounds over the trachea
D. Diminished breath sounds at the bases
Answer: C. Bronchial sounds over the trachea
Rationale: Bronchial sounds are normal over the trachea, but abnormal if heard over
peripheral lung fields.
4. Which pulse site is most appropriate for assessing central perfusion?
A. Radial
B. Brachial
C. Carotid
D. Dorsalis pedis
Answer: C. Carotid
Rationale: The carotid pulse reflects central circulation, especially in emergencies.
1
, 5. What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
A. 40–60 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm
C. 100–120 bpm
D. 120–140 bpm
Answer: B. 60–100 bpm
Rationale: Normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute.
6. A nurse assesses a patient’s skin turgor. What does decreased turgor indicate?
A. Edema
B. Dehydration
C. Normal aging
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: B. Dehydration
Rationale: Poor skin turgor, with delayed return, indicates fluid loss or dehydration.
7. During a neurological assessment, a patient can’t raise their eyebrows. Which cranial
nerve may be impaired?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN VII (Facial)
C. CN III (Oculomotor)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: B. CN VII (Facial)
Rationale: CN VII controls facial expressions, including eyebrow elevation.
8. Which technique is used to assess for fluid in the lungs?
A. Inspection
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Palpation
Answer: C. Auscultation
Rationale: Crackles or rales heard on auscultation suggest fluid accumulation.
9. A patient has clubbing of the nails. What condition is this most associated with?
A. Liver disease
B. Chronic hypoxia
2
