HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM–COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS-RATIONALES |
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|| LATEST EXAM 2026-2027
1. A nurse is preparing to assess a client who reports abdominal pain. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Palpate the painful area deeply
B. Ask the client to rate the pain
C. Inspect the abdomen
D. Auscultate for bowel sounds
Answer: C
Inspection is performed first during the physical examination. The nurse should observe the
abdomen before proceeding to palpation or other potentially uncomfortable techniques.
2. A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory status. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as an expected adult respiratory rate?
A. 8 breaths/min
B. 16 breaths/min
C. 28 breaths/min
D. 36 breaths/min
Answer: B
A resting adult respiratory rate is generally about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. A rate of 16
breaths/min is within the expected range.
3. During a health history, a client says, "I have been feeling tired lately." Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You probably need more sleep."
B. "Are you taking any medications?"
C. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling tired."
D. "Have you been diagnosed with anemia?"
Answer: C
An open-ended response encourages the client to describe the symptom in their own words
and provides additional assessment information without prematurely directing the
conversation.
, 4. A nurse is assessing a client's blood pressure. Which action is essential for obtaining
an accurate reading?
A. Position the arm below heart level
B. Use a cuff that is appropriately sized for the client's arm
C. Place the cuff over thick clothing
D. Ask the client to talk during measurement
Answer: B
An appropriately sized blood pressure cuff is essential for accuracy. An incorrectly sized cuff
can produce misleading readings.
5. A client reports sudden crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Complete the social history
B. Obtain a focused cardiovascular assessment and initiate emergency evaluation
C. Ask about childhood illnesses
D. Schedule a routine follow-up
Answer: B
Sudden crushing chest pain with radiation may indicate acute coronary syndrome. Immediate
assessment and emergency management take priority over routine history collection.
6. Which finding should the nurse document as subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 146/88 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Client reports feeling dizzy
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Answer: C
Subjective data consist of information reported by the client, such as symptoms, sensations,
and perceptions.
7. A nurse observes that a client's skin is pale and cool. How should this information
be classified?
A. Subjective data
B. Objective data
C. Historical data only
D. Family history
, Answer: B
Objective data are findings that the nurse can observe, measure, or verify through assessment.
8. A nurse is interviewing an older adult client. Which communication technique is
most appropriate?
A. Use complex medical terminology
B. Speak rapidly to shorten the interview
C. Face the client and speak clearly at an appropriate pace
D. Direct all questions to the client's family
Answer: C
Facing the client and speaking clearly at an appropriate pace promotes communication while
allowing the nurse to assess understanding and hearing.
9. A client states, "I don't want to discuss my sexual history." What is the nurse's best
response?
A. "You have to answer every question."
B. "Why are you refusing?"
C. "I respect your concern. I'll explain why this information may be relevant to your care."
D. "I'll ask your family instead."
Answer: C
Respectful explanation and preservation of privacy support therapeutic communication and
the client's autonomy.
10. Which assessment technique involves using the fingertips to determine the texture,
tenderness, size, and consistency of underlying structures?
A. Inspection
B. Auscultation
C. Palpation
D. Percussion
Answer: C
Palpation uses the hands and fingers to assess characteristics such as tenderness, texture,
temperature, size, and consistency.
11. A nurse uses a stethoscope to listen to sounds produced by the heart. Which
assessment technique is being used?
GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS-RATIONALES |
EXAM PREP | DOWNLOAD INSTANT PDF | GUARANTEED PASS
|| LATEST EXAM 2026-2027
1. A nurse is preparing to assess a client who reports abdominal pain. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Palpate the painful area deeply
B. Ask the client to rate the pain
C. Inspect the abdomen
D. Auscultate for bowel sounds
Answer: C
Inspection is performed first during the physical examination. The nurse should observe the
abdomen before proceeding to palpation or other potentially uncomfortable techniques.
2. A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory status. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as an expected adult respiratory rate?
A. 8 breaths/min
B. 16 breaths/min
C. 28 breaths/min
D. 36 breaths/min
Answer: B
A resting adult respiratory rate is generally about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. A rate of 16
breaths/min is within the expected range.
3. During a health history, a client says, "I have been feeling tired lately." Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You probably need more sleep."
B. "Are you taking any medications?"
C. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling tired."
D. "Have you been diagnosed with anemia?"
Answer: C
An open-ended response encourages the client to describe the symptom in their own words
and provides additional assessment information without prematurely directing the
conversation.
, 4. A nurse is assessing a client's blood pressure. Which action is essential for obtaining
an accurate reading?
A. Position the arm below heart level
B. Use a cuff that is appropriately sized for the client's arm
C. Place the cuff over thick clothing
D. Ask the client to talk during measurement
Answer: B
An appropriately sized blood pressure cuff is essential for accuracy. An incorrectly sized cuff
can produce misleading readings.
5. A client reports sudden crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Complete the social history
B. Obtain a focused cardiovascular assessment and initiate emergency evaluation
C. Ask about childhood illnesses
D. Schedule a routine follow-up
Answer: B
Sudden crushing chest pain with radiation may indicate acute coronary syndrome. Immediate
assessment and emergency management take priority over routine history collection.
6. Which finding should the nurse document as subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 146/88 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Client reports feeling dizzy
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Answer: C
Subjective data consist of information reported by the client, such as symptoms, sensations,
and perceptions.
7. A nurse observes that a client's skin is pale and cool. How should this information
be classified?
A. Subjective data
B. Objective data
C. Historical data only
D. Family history
, Answer: B
Objective data are findings that the nurse can observe, measure, or verify through assessment.
8. A nurse is interviewing an older adult client. Which communication technique is
most appropriate?
A. Use complex medical terminology
B. Speak rapidly to shorten the interview
C. Face the client and speak clearly at an appropriate pace
D. Direct all questions to the client's family
Answer: C
Facing the client and speaking clearly at an appropriate pace promotes communication while
allowing the nurse to assess understanding and hearing.
9. A client states, "I don't want to discuss my sexual history." What is the nurse's best
response?
A. "You have to answer every question."
B. "Why are you refusing?"
C. "I respect your concern. I'll explain why this information may be relevant to your care."
D. "I'll ask your family instead."
Answer: C
Respectful explanation and preservation of privacy support therapeutic communication and
the client's autonomy.
10. Which assessment technique involves using the fingertips to determine the texture,
tenderness, size, and consistency of underlying structures?
A. Inspection
B. Auscultation
C. Palpation
D. Percussion
Answer: C
Palpation uses the hands and fingers to assess characteristics such as tenderness, texture,
temperature, size, and consistency.
11. A nurse uses a stethoscope to listen to sounds produced by the heart. Which
assessment technique is being used?
