1
246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT TEST
WITH REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. The primary nurse asks another nurse to assist in checking a client for an
apical-radial pulse deficit. One nurse counts an apical pulse of 72
beats/minute while the other nurse counts a radial pulse of 88
beats/minute. Which action should the primary nurse take?
A Check the reading after the other nurse leaves the room.
B Document a pulse deficit of 16 beats per minute.
C Report the results of the deficit to the healthcare provider.
D Repeat the assessment to obtain another reading.
Choice D Reason:
Repeating the assessment to obtain another reading is appropriate. This option
prioritizes patient safety by acknowledging the need to confirm the accuracy of
the measurements. Repeating the assessment allows the nurses to ensure
consistency and reliability in their findings before taking further action or
reporting to the healthcare provider.
2. The nurse observes that a client is experiencing melena. Which serum
laboratory test should the nurse monitor in response to this finding?
A White blood cell count (WBC).
B Glucose.
C Blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
D Hematocrit.
Hematocrit is the correct answer. Hematocrit levels are crucial to monitor in cases
of melena because they provide information about the client’s red blood cell
volume and can indicate the extent of blood loss.
AI: Yes, a hematocrit test can indirectly measure the presence of melena (black,
tarry stools indicating gastrointestinal bleeding) by showing a low red blood cell
count, which is a key indicator of blood loss and therefore can suggest bleeding
in the gastrointestinal tract, including melena
,2
3. When obtaining a client's health history related to smoking cigarettes, the
nurse plans to determine the client's smoking pack years. Which
information should the nurse obtain for this calculation? Select all that
apply.
A Number of attempts to quit smoking.
B Packs of cigarettes smoked per day.
C Client's current age.
D Number of years the client smoked.
E Age when the client started smoking.
Answer: C. Age when the client started smoking.
Knowing when the client began smoking is essential for determining the total duration of smoking. This information allows
the nurse to calculate how long the client has been exposed to tobacco, which is critical for assessing potential health risk s
associated with their smoking history.
D. Packs of cigarettes smoked per day.
This information is crucial as it directly contributes to the calculation of pack years. Understanding how many packs the
client smokes each day helps quantify their level of tobacco exposure. For instance, smoking one pack per day for ten
years results in ten pack years, while two packs per day over the same period would lead to twenty pack years.
,3
E. Number of years the client smoked.
This detail is necessary to determine the total duration of the smoking habit. The total number of years smoked, combined
with the daily pack consumption, provides a comprehensive view of the client's smoking history. It allows the nurse to
assess the cumulative risk associated with long-term tobacco use, which is important for evaluating the client’s health and
potential interventions.
4. The nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client with
pyelonephritis who has urgency and burning while urinating. Which finding
indicates an expected response when the nurse percusses the costovertebral
angle?
A Audible thud without pain.
B Rigidity and firmness.
C Rebound tenderness.
D Sharp, severe pain.
Pyelonephritis: kidney infection
Choice D Reason:
Sharp, severe pain is correct. Sharp, severe pain upon percussing the
CVA suggests tenderness, which can be indicative of kidney inflammation
or infection, such as pyelonephritis. This finding would support the
diagnosis and help guide further assessment and treatment.
5. In assessing a client's level of consciousness, what should the nurse assess
first?
A Motor response.
B Eye opening.
C Control Pane
D Level of alertness.
6. In reading a client's record, the nurse notes that the client is
experiencing tinnitus. Which assessment provides the nurse with the
information needed to evaluate the effects of this condition?
A Observe chest and upper neck for a rash.
B Perform a hearing test.
C Evaluate for a loss of peripheral vision.
D Assess deep tendon reflexes.
Tinnitus: the perception of sound when there's no external source, such as ringing
in the ears, but it can also sound like buzzing, roaring, or hissing
7. While assessing a client, the nurse notices that the client's legs are
, 4
asymmetrical. Which additional physical data should the nurse collect?
A Perform passive range of motion and compare the findings.
B Compare measured circumferences of each extremity joint.
C Instruct client to walk across room and observe the gait.
D Measure the length of each leg and document the findings.
** has two answers of compare or measure..
246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT TEST
WITH REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. The primary nurse asks another nurse to assist in checking a client for an
apical-radial pulse deficit. One nurse counts an apical pulse of 72
beats/minute while the other nurse counts a radial pulse of 88
beats/minute. Which action should the primary nurse take?
A Check the reading after the other nurse leaves the room.
B Document a pulse deficit of 16 beats per minute.
C Report the results of the deficit to the healthcare provider.
D Repeat the assessment to obtain another reading.
Choice D Reason:
Repeating the assessment to obtain another reading is appropriate. This option
prioritizes patient safety by acknowledging the need to confirm the accuracy of
the measurements. Repeating the assessment allows the nurses to ensure
consistency and reliability in their findings before taking further action or
reporting to the healthcare provider.
2. The nurse observes that a client is experiencing melena. Which serum
laboratory test should the nurse monitor in response to this finding?
A White blood cell count (WBC).
B Glucose.
C Blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
D Hematocrit.
Hematocrit is the correct answer. Hematocrit levels are crucial to monitor in cases
of melena because they provide information about the client’s red blood cell
volume and can indicate the extent of blood loss.
AI: Yes, a hematocrit test can indirectly measure the presence of melena (black,
tarry stools indicating gastrointestinal bleeding) by showing a low red blood cell
count, which is a key indicator of blood loss and therefore can suggest bleeding
in the gastrointestinal tract, including melena
,2
3. When obtaining a client's health history related to smoking cigarettes, the
nurse plans to determine the client's smoking pack years. Which
information should the nurse obtain for this calculation? Select all that
apply.
A Number of attempts to quit smoking.
B Packs of cigarettes smoked per day.
C Client's current age.
D Number of years the client smoked.
E Age when the client started smoking.
Answer: C. Age when the client started smoking.
Knowing when the client began smoking is essential for determining the total duration of smoking. This information allows
the nurse to calculate how long the client has been exposed to tobacco, which is critical for assessing potential health risk s
associated with their smoking history.
D. Packs of cigarettes smoked per day.
This information is crucial as it directly contributes to the calculation of pack years. Understanding how many packs the
client smokes each day helps quantify their level of tobacco exposure. For instance, smoking one pack per day for ten
years results in ten pack years, while two packs per day over the same period would lead to twenty pack years.
,3
E. Number of years the client smoked.
This detail is necessary to determine the total duration of the smoking habit. The total number of years smoked, combined
with the daily pack consumption, provides a comprehensive view of the client's smoking history. It allows the nurse to
assess the cumulative risk associated with long-term tobacco use, which is important for evaluating the client’s health and
potential interventions.
4. The nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client with
pyelonephritis who has urgency and burning while urinating. Which finding
indicates an expected response when the nurse percusses the costovertebral
angle?
A Audible thud without pain.
B Rigidity and firmness.
C Rebound tenderness.
D Sharp, severe pain.
Pyelonephritis: kidney infection
Choice D Reason:
Sharp, severe pain is correct. Sharp, severe pain upon percussing the
CVA suggests tenderness, which can be indicative of kidney inflammation
or infection, such as pyelonephritis. This finding would support the
diagnosis and help guide further assessment and treatment.
5. In assessing a client's level of consciousness, what should the nurse assess
first?
A Motor response.
B Eye opening.
C Control Pane
D Level of alertness.
6. In reading a client's record, the nurse notes that the client is
experiencing tinnitus. Which assessment provides the nurse with the
information needed to evaluate the effects of this condition?
A Observe chest and upper neck for a rash.
B Perform a hearing test.
C Evaluate for a loss of peripheral vision.
D Assess deep tendon reflexes.
Tinnitus: the perception of sound when there's no external source, such as ringing
in the ears, but it can also sound like buzzing, roaring, or hissing
7. While assessing a client, the nurse notices that the client's legs are
, 4
asymmetrical. Which additional physical data should the nurse collect?
A Perform passive range of motion and compare the findings.
B Compare measured circumferences of each extremity joint.
C Instruct client to walk across room and observe the gait.
D Measure the length of each leg and document the findings.
** has two answers of compare or measure..
