Health Assessment HESI Study Guide Exam
Questions With Accurate Answers 2025\2026
A+ Grade Commented [Tn1]:
A nurse conducting a physical assessment is observing the client's balance and
performing tests to determine the client's sense of equilibrium. Which cranial
nerve is the nurse assessing?
1. Cranial nerve II
2. Cranial nerve IX
3. Cranial nerve VII
4. Cranial nerve VIII
- accurate answers-4. Cranial nerve VIII
Cranial nerve VIII is the acoustic nerve. Hearing tests are performed to assess
the cochlear portion of this nerve. Tests to assess equilibrium, such as
observation of the client's balance when the client is walking or standing,
involve the vestibular portion.
A nurse performing a neurological assessment of a client who has sustained a
stroke (brain attack) is preparing to check for stereognosis. Which action
should the nurse take to perform this assessment?
1. Placing an object in the client's hand and asking the client to identify it
2. Tracing a number on the client's hand and asking the client to identify it
3. Moving the client's finger up and down and asking the client which way it is
being moved
4. Making two simultaneous pinpricks on the skin and asking the client to
distinguish them
- accurate answers-1. Placing an object in the client's hand and asking the
client to identify it
Stereognosis is the client's ability to recognize objects placed in his or her
hand.
A nurse performing an abdominal assessment of a client is preparing to
auscultate for bowel sounds. In which part of the abdomen should the nurse
place the stethoscope first?
,1. Left upper quadrant
2. Left lower quadrant
3. Right upper quadrant
4. Right lower quadrant
- accurate answers-4. Right lower quadrant
To auscultate for bowel sounds, the nurse places the diaphragm endpiece of
the stethoscope lightly against the skin, then begins to auscultate in the right
lower abdominal quadrant, in the area of the ileocecal valve, because bowel
sounds are always present there normally.
A nurse performing a physical assessment of a client is checking the client's
mouth and throat. As part of the assessment, the nurse plans to assess the
function of cranial nerve XII. What should the nurse ask the client to do as a
means of assessing this nerve?
1. Frown
2. Show the teeth
3. Stick out the tongue
4. Say "ah" as the tongue is depressed with a tongue blade
- accurate answers-3. Stick out the tongue
To assess the function of cranial nerve XII (the hypoglossal nerve), the nurse
asks the client to stick out the tongue. The nurse then notes the forward thrust
in the midline as the client protrudes the tongue. The nurse also asks the
client to verbalize certain words and then listen for clear, distinct speech.
Discontinuous high-pitched crackling sounds heard during inspiration that do
not clear with coughing
- accurate answers-Fine Crackles
Loud, low-pitched bubbling and gurgling sounds heard on inspiration (may be
present on expiration); may decrease with coughing or suctioning but
reappear
- accurate answers-Coarse Crackles
,High-pitched, continuous musical sounds heard during inspiration or
expiration
- accurate answers-Wheezing
Loud, low-pitched, coarse rumbling sounds heard during inspiration or
expiration; may be cleared by coughing
- accurate answers-Rhonchi
Dry, grating quality sounds heard best during inspiration; does not clear with
coughing
- accurate answers-Pleural Friction Rub
Moderately pitched; heard over the major bronchi
- accurate answers-Bronchovesicular sounds
Low-pitched rustling; heard over the peripheral lung fields
- accurate answers-Vesicular sounds
High-pitched, with a harsh, hollow, tubular quality heard over the trachea and
larynx
- accurate answers-Bronchial sounds
A nurse preparing to perform a respiratory assessment of an adult client is
reading the client's medical record. The nurse sees that the health care
provider noted resonance on percussion of the client's posterior chest. What
interpretation does the nurse make of this finding?
1. The client has normal, healthy lungs.
2. The client may have a pneumothorax.
3. The client most likely has a lung tumor.
4. An excessive amount of air is present in the lungs.
- accurate answers-1. The client has normal, healthy lungs.
Resonance on percussion predominates in healthy adult lung tissue.
When too much air is present such as in the case of emphysema where it is
trapped in the alveoli and pneumothorax where it is trapped in the pleural
space leading to lung collapse.
- accurate answers-Hyperresonance
, Indicates an abnormal density in the lungs, such as that noted in pneumonia,
pleural effusion, or atelectasis or in the presence of a tumor.
- accurate answers-Dull note on percussion of the lungs
A nurse performing a breast examination is preparing to palpate the client's
breasts. Into which position should the nurse assist the client to perform
palpation?
1. A standing position, with the client holding both arms above her head
2. A standing position, with the client holding her hands firmly on her hips
3. A supine position, with the arm on the side being examined positioned
across the chest
4. A supine position, with the arm on the side being examined positioned
behind the head and a small pillow placed under the shoulder on the same
side
- accurate answers-4. A supine position, with the arm on the side being
examined positioned behind the head and a small pillow placed under the
shoulder on the same side
To palpate the breasts, the nurse assists the client into a supine position and
positions the client's arm on the side being examined behind the head. A small
pillow is placed under the shoulder on the same side. The nurse uses the pads
of the first three fingers to gently compress the breast tissue against the chest
wall and notes tissue consistency. Palpation is performed systematically, with
care taken to ensure that the entire breast and tail are palpated.
A nurse performing a neck assessment of a client is testing the status of
cranial nerve XI. What does the nurse ask the client to do to enable
assessment of this nerve?
1. Smile
2. Lift the eyebrows
3. Stick out the tongue
4. Shrug the shoulders against resistance
- accurate answers-4. Shrug the shoulders against resistance
Questions With Accurate Answers 2025\2026
A+ Grade Commented [Tn1]:
A nurse conducting a physical assessment is observing the client's balance and
performing tests to determine the client's sense of equilibrium. Which cranial
nerve is the nurse assessing?
1. Cranial nerve II
2. Cranial nerve IX
3. Cranial nerve VII
4. Cranial nerve VIII
- accurate answers-4. Cranial nerve VIII
Cranial nerve VIII is the acoustic nerve. Hearing tests are performed to assess
the cochlear portion of this nerve. Tests to assess equilibrium, such as
observation of the client's balance when the client is walking or standing,
involve the vestibular portion.
A nurse performing a neurological assessment of a client who has sustained a
stroke (brain attack) is preparing to check for stereognosis. Which action
should the nurse take to perform this assessment?
1. Placing an object in the client's hand and asking the client to identify it
2. Tracing a number on the client's hand and asking the client to identify it
3. Moving the client's finger up and down and asking the client which way it is
being moved
4. Making two simultaneous pinpricks on the skin and asking the client to
distinguish them
- accurate answers-1. Placing an object in the client's hand and asking the
client to identify it
Stereognosis is the client's ability to recognize objects placed in his or her
hand.
A nurse performing an abdominal assessment of a client is preparing to
auscultate for bowel sounds. In which part of the abdomen should the nurse
place the stethoscope first?
,1. Left upper quadrant
2. Left lower quadrant
3. Right upper quadrant
4. Right lower quadrant
- accurate answers-4. Right lower quadrant
To auscultate for bowel sounds, the nurse places the diaphragm endpiece of
the stethoscope lightly against the skin, then begins to auscultate in the right
lower abdominal quadrant, in the area of the ileocecal valve, because bowel
sounds are always present there normally.
A nurse performing a physical assessment of a client is checking the client's
mouth and throat. As part of the assessment, the nurse plans to assess the
function of cranial nerve XII. What should the nurse ask the client to do as a
means of assessing this nerve?
1. Frown
2. Show the teeth
3. Stick out the tongue
4. Say "ah" as the tongue is depressed with a tongue blade
- accurate answers-3. Stick out the tongue
To assess the function of cranial nerve XII (the hypoglossal nerve), the nurse
asks the client to stick out the tongue. The nurse then notes the forward thrust
in the midline as the client protrudes the tongue. The nurse also asks the
client to verbalize certain words and then listen for clear, distinct speech.
Discontinuous high-pitched crackling sounds heard during inspiration that do
not clear with coughing
- accurate answers-Fine Crackles
Loud, low-pitched bubbling and gurgling sounds heard on inspiration (may be
present on expiration); may decrease with coughing or suctioning but
reappear
- accurate answers-Coarse Crackles
,High-pitched, continuous musical sounds heard during inspiration or
expiration
- accurate answers-Wheezing
Loud, low-pitched, coarse rumbling sounds heard during inspiration or
expiration; may be cleared by coughing
- accurate answers-Rhonchi
Dry, grating quality sounds heard best during inspiration; does not clear with
coughing
- accurate answers-Pleural Friction Rub
Moderately pitched; heard over the major bronchi
- accurate answers-Bronchovesicular sounds
Low-pitched rustling; heard over the peripheral lung fields
- accurate answers-Vesicular sounds
High-pitched, with a harsh, hollow, tubular quality heard over the trachea and
larynx
- accurate answers-Bronchial sounds
A nurse preparing to perform a respiratory assessment of an adult client is
reading the client's medical record. The nurse sees that the health care
provider noted resonance on percussion of the client's posterior chest. What
interpretation does the nurse make of this finding?
1. The client has normal, healthy lungs.
2. The client may have a pneumothorax.
3. The client most likely has a lung tumor.
4. An excessive amount of air is present in the lungs.
- accurate answers-1. The client has normal, healthy lungs.
Resonance on percussion predominates in healthy adult lung tissue.
When too much air is present such as in the case of emphysema where it is
trapped in the alveoli and pneumothorax where it is trapped in the pleural
space leading to lung collapse.
- accurate answers-Hyperresonance
, Indicates an abnormal density in the lungs, such as that noted in pneumonia,
pleural effusion, or atelectasis or in the presence of a tumor.
- accurate answers-Dull note on percussion of the lungs
A nurse performing a breast examination is preparing to palpate the client's
breasts. Into which position should the nurse assist the client to perform
palpation?
1. A standing position, with the client holding both arms above her head
2. A standing position, with the client holding her hands firmly on her hips
3. A supine position, with the arm on the side being examined positioned
across the chest
4. A supine position, with the arm on the side being examined positioned
behind the head and a small pillow placed under the shoulder on the same
side
- accurate answers-4. A supine position, with the arm on the side being
examined positioned behind the head and a small pillow placed under the
shoulder on the same side
To palpate the breasts, the nurse assists the client into a supine position and
positions the client's arm on the side being examined behind the head. A small
pillow is placed under the shoulder on the same side. The nurse uses the pads
of the first three fingers to gently compress the breast tissue against the chest
wall and notes tissue consistency. Palpation is performed systematically, with
care taken to ensure that the entire breast and tail are palpated.
A nurse performing a neck assessment of a client is testing the status of
cranial nerve XI. What does the nurse ask the client to do to enable
assessment of this nerve?
1. Smile
2. Lift the eyebrows
3. Stick out the tongue
4. Shrug the shoulders against resistance
- accurate answers-4. Shrug the shoulders against resistance
