Health Assessment HESI Complete
Exam Guide Latest Update
2026|Actual and Verified Questions
SOAP modified format - ANSWER-Subjective
Objective
Assessment
Plan
What color ink should be used when documenting on paper - ANSWER-Permanent
black ink
What is the correct order for vital signs - ANSWER-T, P, RR, BP, extremity, pt position,
SPO2
What should be at the top of every page of documentation - ANSWER-Patient initials
and date and time of entry
What should be at the end of every documentation entry - ANSWER-Interviewers
signature
How do you correct a mistake in documentation - ANSWER-1) Draw a single line
through the incorrect documentation
2) Write error above the entry
3) Initial and date the crossed out entry
Documentation tips - ANSWER-1) Avoid complete sentences
2) Do not use A, an, the
3) Do not put opinion in notes
4) Avoid use of normal or within normal limits
Normal oral temp range - ANSWER-96.4 - 99.1 F
Febrile - ANSWER-With fever
Afebrile - ANSWER-Without fever
Hyperthermia symptoms - ANSWER-1) Cessation of shivering
2) Bradycardia
3) Decrease in respiratory minute volume
Most common and easy method of assessing temperature - ANSWER-Oral
,What methods of assessing temperature reflects core temperature - ANSWER-1) Oral
2) Rectal
3) Tympanic
4) Temporal Artery
What is the least accurate method of assessing temperature - ANSWER-axillary
Which patients are contraindicated for rectal temperature readings - ANSWER-Patients
with increased HR
Preferred method of taking infants and small children's temperatures - ANSWER-Rectal
Pulse deficit - ANSWER-- Difference between apical peripheral pulse
Pulse amplitude scale - ANSWER-0 = no pulse
1 = diminished, weak
2 = normal and expected
3 = full or strong
4 = bounding
Which pulses are assessed during a routine physical assessment? - ANSWER-1) Apical
2) Radial
3) Dorsalis pedis
4) Posterior tibialis
Normal heart rate in resting adult - ANSWER-60 to 100 bpm
Well trained athletes heart rate - ANSWER-Heart rate less than 60 bpm
When is it normal for someone to have a rapid heart rate over 100 bpm - ANSWER-
Someone with anxiety and right after exercise
Eupnea - ANSWER-Normal RR, rhythm and depth
Normal SPO2 value - ANSWER-95-100%
What level is poor oxygenation - ANSWER-below 90%
Systolic BP - ANSWER-Maximum pressure on the artery during ventricular contraction
Diastolic BP - ANSWER-Resting pressure during ventricular filling
Pulse pressure - ANSWER-Difference between systolic and diastolic
Stroke volume - ANSWER-Amount of blood ejected with each beat
,How does age affect BP - ANSWER-BP increases with age
What BP is pre hypertensive? - ANSWER-Sustained BP over 120/80
What extremities should you avoid taking a BP in - ANSWER-Extremities with IV lines,
invasive lines, history of mastectomy/lymph node issues
Orthostatic hypertension - ANSWER-- Decreased BP with change in position
- Drop in SBP of 25 mmHg or DBP of 10 mmHG
- Symptoms
1) Dizziness
2) Weakness
3) Blurred vision
4) Syncope
5) Changes in BP/HR
- Causes
1) Hypovolemia
2) Impaired vasoconstriction
3) Medications
Precautions in someone with orthostatic hypertension - ANSWER-- change positions
slowly
- falls risk
- assist back to bed if symptomatic
What is the main objective of the health history - ANSWER-- To gather accurate
information to provide immediate care
- Establish rapport with the client
What does establishing a positive patient relationship depend on - ANSWER-1)
courtesy
2) comfort
3) connection
4) confirmation
5) confidentiality
What questions should you begin with for a health history interview - ANSWER-Open
ended questions
Approaching Sensitive Issues - ANSWER-- Use language that is understandable.
- Do not apologize for broaching the issue.
- Ensure privacy.
- Be direct and firm.
- Do not preach.
- Do not push too hard.
, CAGE questionnaire - ANSWER-Cutting down
Annoyance
Guilty feeling
Eye-openers
- Helps diagnose alcoholism
TACE questionnaire - ANSWER-T - how many drinks does it TAKE to make you feel
right
A - Have people ANNOYED you by criticizing your drinking
C - Have you felt you out to cut down on your drinking
E - Have you had an EYE -OPENER first thing in the morning
CRAFFT questionnaire - ANSWER-- Screening tool for alcohol and substance abuse in
adolescents
Car
Relax
Alone
Forget
Friends
Trouble
What is the goal of a screening tool? - ANSWER-To find out if the problem exists
Three questions to detect partner violence - ANSWER-- Have you ever been hit, kicked,
punched, or otherwise hurt by someone within the past year?
- Do you feel safe in your current relationship?
- Is there a partner from a previous relationship who is making you feel unsafe now?
HITS questionnaire - ANSWER-The wording of the question is "In the last year how
often did your partner:
1) Hurt you physically?"
2) Insult or talk down to you?"
3) Threaten you with physical harm?"
4) Scream or curse at you?"
FICA - ANSWER-Faith
Importance and Influence
Community
Address/action in care
Format of interview - ANSWER-CC
HPI
PMH
PSH
FH
Exam Guide Latest Update
2026|Actual and Verified Questions
SOAP modified format - ANSWER-Subjective
Objective
Assessment
Plan
What color ink should be used when documenting on paper - ANSWER-Permanent
black ink
What is the correct order for vital signs - ANSWER-T, P, RR, BP, extremity, pt position,
SPO2
What should be at the top of every page of documentation - ANSWER-Patient initials
and date and time of entry
What should be at the end of every documentation entry - ANSWER-Interviewers
signature
How do you correct a mistake in documentation - ANSWER-1) Draw a single line
through the incorrect documentation
2) Write error above the entry
3) Initial and date the crossed out entry
Documentation tips - ANSWER-1) Avoid complete sentences
2) Do not use A, an, the
3) Do not put opinion in notes
4) Avoid use of normal or within normal limits
Normal oral temp range - ANSWER-96.4 - 99.1 F
Febrile - ANSWER-With fever
Afebrile - ANSWER-Without fever
Hyperthermia symptoms - ANSWER-1) Cessation of shivering
2) Bradycardia
3) Decrease in respiratory minute volume
Most common and easy method of assessing temperature - ANSWER-Oral
,What methods of assessing temperature reflects core temperature - ANSWER-1) Oral
2) Rectal
3) Tympanic
4) Temporal Artery
What is the least accurate method of assessing temperature - ANSWER-axillary
Which patients are contraindicated for rectal temperature readings - ANSWER-Patients
with increased HR
Preferred method of taking infants and small children's temperatures - ANSWER-Rectal
Pulse deficit - ANSWER-- Difference between apical peripheral pulse
Pulse amplitude scale - ANSWER-0 = no pulse
1 = diminished, weak
2 = normal and expected
3 = full or strong
4 = bounding
Which pulses are assessed during a routine physical assessment? - ANSWER-1) Apical
2) Radial
3) Dorsalis pedis
4) Posterior tibialis
Normal heart rate in resting adult - ANSWER-60 to 100 bpm
Well trained athletes heart rate - ANSWER-Heart rate less than 60 bpm
When is it normal for someone to have a rapid heart rate over 100 bpm - ANSWER-
Someone with anxiety and right after exercise
Eupnea - ANSWER-Normal RR, rhythm and depth
Normal SPO2 value - ANSWER-95-100%
What level is poor oxygenation - ANSWER-below 90%
Systolic BP - ANSWER-Maximum pressure on the artery during ventricular contraction
Diastolic BP - ANSWER-Resting pressure during ventricular filling
Pulse pressure - ANSWER-Difference between systolic and diastolic
Stroke volume - ANSWER-Amount of blood ejected with each beat
,How does age affect BP - ANSWER-BP increases with age
What BP is pre hypertensive? - ANSWER-Sustained BP over 120/80
What extremities should you avoid taking a BP in - ANSWER-Extremities with IV lines,
invasive lines, history of mastectomy/lymph node issues
Orthostatic hypertension - ANSWER-- Decreased BP with change in position
- Drop in SBP of 25 mmHg or DBP of 10 mmHG
- Symptoms
1) Dizziness
2) Weakness
3) Blurred vision
4) Syncope
5) Changes in BP/HR
- Causes
1) Hypovolemia
2) Impaired vasoconstriction
3) Medications
Precautions in someone with orthostatic hypertension - ANSWER-- change positions
slowly
- falls risk
- assist back to bed if symptomatic
What is the main objective of the health history - ANSWER-- To gather accurate
information to provide immediate care
- Establish rapport with the client
What does establishing a positive patient relationship depend on - ANSWER-1)
courtesy
2) comfort
3) connection
4) confirmation
5) confidentiality
What questions should you begin with for a health history interview - ANSWER-Open
ended questions
Approaching Sensitive Issues - ANSWER-- Use language that is understandable.
- Do not apologize for broaching the issue.
- Ensure privacy.
- Be direct and firm.
- Do not preach.
- Do not push too hard.
, CAGE questionnaire - ANSWER-Cutting down
Annoyance
Guilty feeling
Eye-openers
- Helps diagnose alcoholism
TACE questionnaire - ANSWER-T - how many drinks does it TAKE to make you feel
right
A - Have people ANNOYED you by criticizing your drinking
C - Have you felt you out to cut down on your drinking
E - Have you had an EYE -OPENER first thing in the morning
CRAFFT questionnaire - ANSWER-- Screening tool for alcohol and substance abuse in
adolescents
Car
Relax
Alone
Forget
Friends
Trouble
What is the goal of a screening tool? - ANSWER-To find out if the problem exists
Three questions to detect partner violence - ANSWER-- Have you ever been hit, kicked,
punched, or otherwise hurt by someone within the past year?
- Do you feel safe in your current relationship?
- Is there a partner from a previous relationship who is making you feel unsafe now?
HITS questionnaire - ANSWER-The wording of the question is "In the last year how
often did your partner:
1) Hurt you physically?"
2) Insult or talk down to you?"
3) Threaten you with physical harm?"
4) Scream or curse at you?"
FICA - ANSWER-Faith
Importance and Influence
Community
Address/action in care
Format of interview - ANSWER-CC
HPI
PMH
PSH
FH
