HESI Health Assessment Exam
2026/2027
100 Practice Questions & Rationales for Nursing Students
1. During a physical assessment, which technique should the nurse use first?
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step (except abdomen).
2. The nurse is assessing skin temperature. Which part of the hand is most
sensitive?
A. Palms
B. Dorsal surface
C. Fingertips
D. Ulnar edge
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The dorsal surface (back of hand) is best for temperature.
3. To assess for jaundice in a dark-skinned client, the nurse checks:
A. Palms
B. Sclera and hard palate
C. Abdomen
D. Soles of feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sclera and hard palate are the most reliable sites for jaundice in dark skin.
,4. A client has an AP-to-transverse chest diameter of 1:1. This indicates:
A. Normal finding
B. Barrel chest
C. Pectus excavatum
D. Kyphosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1:1 ratio is a barrel chest, common in COPD.
5. Which heart sound is the 'ventricular gallop'?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: S3 is the ventricular gallop.
6. What is the normal capillary refill time?
A. < 1 sec
B. < 3 sec
C. < 5 sec
D. < 10 sec
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal refill is under 2-3 seconds.
7. The 'Phalen test' screens for:
A. Scoliosis
B. Carpal tunnel
C. ACL tear
D. Meningitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phalen test is for carpal tunnel syndrome.
, 8. Where is the apical pulse located?
A. 2nd ICS, RSB
B. 2nd ICS, LSB
C. 5th ICS, MCL
D. 4th ICS, LSB
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 5th Intercostal Space, Midclavicular Line.
9. Which cranial nerve is tested with the Snellen chart?
A. CN I
B. CN II
C. CN III
D. CN IV
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CN II (Optic) manages visual acuity.
10. A 'thrill' felt on the chest wall is:
A. Normal
B. A vibration from a loud murmur
C. Heart failure
D. A pericardial rub
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration from turbulent blood flow.
11. The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is:
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion, Inspection
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Auscultate before palpation/percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds.
2026/2027
100 Practice Questions & Rationales for Nursing Students
1. During a physical assessment, which technique should the nurse use first?
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step (except abdomen).
2. The nurse is assessing skin temperature. Which part of the hand is most
sensitive?
A. Palms
B. Dorsal surface
C. Fingertips
D. Ulnar edge
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The dorsal surface (back of hand) is best for temperature.
3. To assess for jaundice in a dark-skinned client, the nurse checks:
A. Palms
B. Sclera and hard palate
C. Abdomen
D. Soles of feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sclera and hard palate are the most reliable sites for jaundice in dark skin.
,4. A client has an AP-to-transverse chest diameter of 1:1. This indicates:
A. Normal finding
B. Barrel chest
C. Pectus excavatum
D. Kyphosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1:1 ratio is a barrel chest, common in COPD.
5. Which heart sound is the 'ventricular gallop'?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: S3 is the ventricular gallop.
6. What is the normal capillary refill time?
A. < 1 sec
B. < 3 sec
C. < 5 sec
D. < 10 sec
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal refill is under 2-3 seconds.
7. The 'Phalen test' screens for:
A. Scoliosis
B. Carpal tunnel
C. ACL tear
D. Meningitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phalen test is for carpal tunnel syndrome.
, 8. Where is the apical pulse located?
A. 2nd ICS, RSB
B. 2nd ICS, LSB
C. 5th ICS, MCL
D. 4th ICS, LSB
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 5th Intercostal Space, Midclavicular Line.
9. Which cranial nerve is tested with the Snellen chart?
A. CN I
B. CN II
C. CN III
D. CN IV
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CN II (Optic) manages visual acuity.
10. A 'thrill' felt on the chest wall is:
A. Normal
B. A vibration from a loud murmur
C. Heart failure
D. A pericardial rub
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration from turbulent blood flow.
11. The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is:
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion, Inspection
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Auscultate before palpation/percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds.
