Health Assessment HESI Practice
Questions Exam (New 2026- 2027)
Questions & Answers with Rationale
100% Correct Grade A - Nightingale
1. Which stage of grief is the spouse displaying during the visit?
The registered nurse (RN) notifies the spouse of a client who was admitted to hospice with
shallow respirations, of a change in the client's condition. Over the past hour, the client's
respiratory pattern has changed to a Cheyne Stokes pattern. After receiving this information, the
client's spouse begins vacuuming around the bed.
A. Acceptance
B. Denial
C. Bargaining
D. Depression
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Denial
RATIONALE:
The spouse is exhibiting the first stage of Kubler-Ross's grief model: denial. The spouse is
ignoring the reality that the client's death is imminent by focusing on vacuuming instead of
acknowledging the situation. Acceptance, bargaining, and depression are other stages of grief
but are not demonstrated in this situation.
2. Which therapeutic response should the RN anticipate when applying an ice pack to a
sprained ankle?
The registered nurse (RN) places an ice pack on a middle school student who comes to the
school clinic complaining of a sprained ankle.
A. Reduced pain and minimized bruising.
B. Lowering of body core temperature.
C. Increased circulation around injury.
D. Reabsorption of edema at injury.
, CORRECT ANSWER: A. Reduced pain and minimized bruising.
RATIONALE:
Cold applications produce a topical anesthetic effect that reduces pain and cause
vasoconstriction, which decreases bleeding and minimizes bruising. Ice does not lower core
temperature, increase circulation, or directly reabsorb edema.
3. Which assessment findings indicate diminished peripheral circulation? (Select all that
apply.)
The RN palpates a weak pedal pulse on the client's right foot.
A. Diminished hair on legs.
B. Bruising on extremities.
C. Skin cool to touch.
D. Capillary refill less than 3 seconds.
E. Darkened skin on extremities.
CORRECT ANSWERS: A. Diminished hair on legs & C. Skin cool to touch
RATIONALE:
Decreased arterial blood flow causes:
• Loss of hair on the legs
• Cool skin temperature
Bruising, normal capillary refill, and darkened skin are not specific indicators of diminished
arterial circulation.
4. Which assessment finding should the RN report as an early sign of hypovolemic shock?
Twenty-four hours after a client returns from surgical gastric bypass, the RN observes large
amounts of blood in the nasogastric tube (NGT) cannister.
A. Faint pedal pulses
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Lethargy
D. Slow breathing
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Lethargy
Questions Exam (New 2026- 2027)
Questions & Answers with Rationale
100% Correct Grade A - Nightingale
1. Which stage of grief is the spouse displaying during the visit?
The registered nurse (RN) notifies the spouse of a client who was admitted to hospice with
shallow respirations, of a change in the client's condition. Over the past hour, the client's
respiratory pattern has changed to a Cheyne Stokes pattern. After receiving this information, the
client's spouse begins vacuuming around the bed.
A. Acceptance
B. Denial
C. Bargaining
D. Depression
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Denial
RATIONALE:
The spouse is exhibiting the first stage of Kubler-Ross's grief model: denial. The spouse is
ignoring the reality that the client's death is imminent by focusing on vacuuming instead of
acknowledging the situation. Acceptance, bargaining, and depression are other stages of grief
but are not demonstrated in this situation.
2. Which therapeutic response should the RN anticipate when applying an ice pack to a
sprained ankle?
The registered nurse (RN) places an ice pack on a middle school student who comes to the
school clinic complaining of a sprained ankle.
A. Reduced pain and minimized bruising.
B. Lowering of body core temperature.
C. Increased circulation around injury.
D. Reabsorption of edema at injury.
, CORRECT ANSWER: A. Reduced pain and minimized bruising.
RATIONALE:
Cold applications produce a topical anesthetic effect that reduces pain and cause
vasoconstriction, which decreases bleeding and minimizes bruising. Ice does not lower core
temperature, increase circulation, or directly reabsorb edema.
3. Which assessment findings indicate diminished peripheral circulation? (Select all that
apply.)
The RN palpates a weak pedal pulse on the client's right foot.
A. Diminished hair on legs.
B. Bruising on extremities.
C. Skin cool to touch.
D. Capillary refill less than 3 seconds.
E. Darkened skin on extremities.
CORRECT ANSWERS: A. Diminished hair on legs & C. Skin cool to touch
RATIONALE:
Decreased arterial blood flow causes:
• Loss of hair on the legs
• Cool skin temperature
Bruising, normal capillary refill, and darkened skin are not specific indicators of diminished
arterial circulation.
4. Which assessment finding should the RN report as an early sign of hypovolemic shock?
Twenty-four hours after a client returns from surgical gastric bypass, the RN observes large
amounts of blood in the nasogastric tube (NGT) cannister.
A. Faint pedal pulses
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Lethargy
D. Slow breathing
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Lethargy
