NR 302 HESI Practice Questions 2026 | High-Yield Concepts |
Graded A+
1. What type of sound is produced by a Doppler ultrasonic stethoscope when
detecting arterial flow?
Low humming sound
Swishing, whooshing sound
Steady, even, flowing sound
Regular 'lub, dub' pattern
2. Describe how peritonitis can lead to hypoactive bowel sounds in a patient.
Peritonitis causes an increase in digestive enzyme production, leading
to hyperactive bowel sounds.
Peritonitis increases bowel motility, resulting in hyperactive bowel
sounds.
Peritonitis can cause inflammation of the peritoneum, leading to
decreased bowel motility and hypoactive bowel sounds.
Peritonitis has no effect on bowel sounds.
3. What condition is indicated by wheezing and difficulty in breathing,
particularly in patients with a history of allergies?
lobar pneumonia
heart failure
atelectasis
asthma
,4. If a nurse observes a patient displaying signs of confusion and disorientation
during an assessment, what should be the next step in the evaluation
process?
Further assess the patient's cognitive function through targeted
questions and observations.
Wait for the patient to regain composure before proceeding.
Document the observations and continue with the physical
examination.
Immediately refer the patient to a psychiatrist for evaluation.
5. What method can a nurse use to assess a patient's mental status during an
examination?
Administering a standardized psychological test
Observing the patient and inferring health or dysfunction
Reviewing the patient's medical history
Conducting a physical examination of the patient
6. During a nursing assessment, a patient presents with abdominal pain. How
would you utilize bimanual palpation to aid in your assessment?
You would use bimanual palpation to assess the size and
tenderness of the uterus and any potential masses in the abdomen.
You would use bimanual palpation to evaluate skin turgor.
You would use bimanual palpation to measure the patient's blood
pressure.
You would use bimanual palpation to listen for bowel sounds.
,7. If a 70-year-old patient reports difficulty in reading and recognizes faces only
when they are very close, what assessment should a nurse prioritize?
Assessment for cataracts
Assessment for normal aging changes
Assessment for macular degeneration
Assessment for glaucoma
8. In a clinical scenario, if a nurse hears a swishing, whooshing sound while
using a Doppler ultrasonic stethoscope, what should be the next step in the
assessment process?
Immediately refer the patient for surgery.
Ignore the sound as it is a normal finding.
Evaluate for potential arterial insufficiency.
Document the sound and continue with the examination.
9. Tactile fremitus is conducted by asking the patient to say ninety-nine several
times and palpating with the ball of the hand. Vibrations should be
transmitted through the airways of the lung. Increased tactile fremitus
suggests
Air in the underlying lungs
Lung cancer
Consolidation of underlying lung tissues
TB
10. Which organ is primarily associated with the left lower quadrant of the
abdomen?
, Gallbladder
Sigmoid colon
Liver
Duodenum
11. What condition is indicated by symptoms such as puffy eyes and coarse, dry
hair?
myxedema
scleroderma
Parkinson's syndrome
cachexia
12. If a nurse observes that a 6-month-old infant is unable to fixate on objects,
what should be the nurse's next step in assessment?
Refer the infant to a pediatrician for immediate intervention.
Reassure the parents that this is normal.
Document the finding and schedule a follow-up in a year.
Conduct a more detailed visual assessment.
13. If a patient reports experiencing shadow or diminished vision in one
quadrant, what immediate action should the nurse take?
Advise the patient to rest their eyes and monitor symptoms.
Refer the patient for an ophthalmologic evaluation.
Provide the patient with eye drops for dryness.
Schedule a follow-up appointment in a week.
Graded A+
1. What type of sound is produced by a Doppler ultrasonic stethoscope when
detecting arterial flow?
Low humming sound
Swishing, whooshing sound
Steady, even, flowing sound
Regular 'lub, dub' pattern
2. Describe how peritonitis can lead to hypoactive bowel sounds in a patient.
Peritonitis causes an increase in digestive enzyme production, leading
to hyperactive bowel sounds.
Peritonitis increases bowel motility, resulting in hyperactive bowel
sounds.
Peritonitis can cause inflammation of the peritoneum, leading to
decreased bowel motility and hypoactive bowel sounds.
Peritonitis has no effect on bowel sounds.
3. What condition is indicated by wheezing and difficulty in breathing,
particularly in patients with a history of allergies?
lobar pneumonia
heart failure
atelectasis
asthma
,4. If a nurse observes a patient displaying signs of confusion and disorientation
during an assessment, what should be the next step in the evaluation
process?
Further assess the patient's cognitive function through targeted
questions and observations.
Wait for the patient to regain composure before proceeding.
Document the observations and continue with the physical
examination.
Immediately refer the patient to a psychiatrist for evaluation.
5. What method can a nurse use to assess a patient's mental status during an
examination?
Administering a standardized psychological test
Observing the patient and inferring health or dysfunction
Reviewing the patient's medical history
Conducting a physical examination of the patient
6. During a nursing assessment, a patient presents with abdominal pain. How
would you utilize bimanual palpation to aid in your assessment?
You would use bimanual palpation to assess the size and
tenderness of the uterus and any potential masses in the abdomen.
You would use bimanual palpation to evaluate skin turgor.
You would use bimanual palpation to measure the patient's blood
pressure.
You would use bimanual palpation to listen for bowel sounds.
,7. If a 70-year-old patient reports difficulty in reading and recognizes faces only
when they are very close, what assessment should a nurse prioritize?
Assessment for cataracts
Assessment for normal aging changes
Assessment for macular degeneration
Assessment for glaucoma
8. In a clinical scenario, if a nurse hears a swishing, whooshing sound while
using a Doppler ultrasonic stethoscope, what should be the next step in the
assessment process?
Immediately refer the patient for surgery.
Ignore the sound as it is a normal finding.
Evaluate for potential arterial insufficiency.
Document the sound and continue with the examination.
9. Tactile fremitus is conducted by asking the patient to say ninety-nine several
times and palpating with the ball of the hand. Vibrations should be
transmitted through the airways of the lung. Increased tactile fremitus
suggests
Air in the underlying lungs
Lung cancer
Consolidation of underlying lung tissues
TB
10. Which organ is primarily associated with the left lower quadrant of the
abdomen?
, Gallbladder
Sigmoid colon
Liver
Duodenum
11. What condition is indicated by symptoms such as puffy eyes and coarse, dry
hair?
myxedema
scleroderma
Parkinson's syndrome
cachexia
12. If a nurse observes that a 6-month-old infant is unable to fixate on objects,
what should be the nurse's next step in assessment?
Refer the infant to a pediatrician for immediate intervention.
Reassure the parents that this is normal.
Document the finding and schedule a follow-up in a year.
Conduct a more detailed visual assessment.
13. If a patient reports experiencing shadow or diminished vision in one
quadrant, what immediate action should the nurse take?
Advise the patient to rest their eyes and monitor symptoms.
Refer the patient for an ophthalmologic evaluation.
Provide the patient with eye drops for dryness.
Schedule a follow-up appointment in a week.
