BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment, the nurse should use which sequence of
techniques for the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, the sequence is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, and Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds with manipulation.
2. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the nurse asks the patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
B. CN X (Vagus)
,C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) controls the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles used for shoulder shrugging and head turning.
3. While assessing the lungs, the nurse hears high-pitched, musical sounds primarily during
expiration. How should this be documented?
A. Wheezes
B. Crackles
C. Stridor
D. Pleural friction rub
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Wheezes are continuous, high-pitched musical sounds caused by
air flowing through narrowed passages, often heard during expiration.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected dehydration. Which finding is most
indicative of this condition?
A. Pitting edema +2
B. Tenting of the skin upon release
C. Moist mucous membranes
, D. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Poor skin turgor or ‘tenting’ indicates a loss of skin elasticity due
to dehydration.
5. A patient has a BMI of 28.5. How should the nurse classify this nutritional status?
A. Underweight
B. Normal weight
C. Overweight
D. Obese
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is classified as overweight.
6. During a pupillary assessment, the nurse notes that both pupils constrict when a light is
shone into the right eye. What is the constriction of the left pupil called?
A. Direct light reflex
B. Consensual light reflex
C. Accommodation
D. Convergence
Answer: B
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment, the nurse should use which sequence of
techniques for the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, the sequence is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, and Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds with manipulation.
2. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the nurse asks the patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
B. CN X (Vagus)
,C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) controls the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles used for shoulder shrugging and head turning.
3. While assessing the lungs, the nurse hears high-pitched, musical sounds primarily during
expiration. How should this be documented?
A. Wheezes
B. Crackles
C. Stridor
D. Pleural friction rub
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Wheezes are continuous, high-pitched musical sounds caused by
air flowing through narrowed passages, often heard during expiration.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected dehydration. Which finding is most
indicative of this condition?
A. Pitting edema +2
B. Tenting of the skin upon release
C. Moist mucous membranes
, D. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Poor skin turgor or ‘tenting’ indicates a loss of skin elasticity due
to dehydration.
5. A patient has a BMI of 28.5. How should the nurse classify this nutritional status?
A. Underweight
B. Normal weight
C. Overweight
D. Obese
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is classified as overweight.
6. During a pupillary assessment, the nurse notes that both pupils constrict when a light is
shone into the right eye. What is the constriction of the left pupil called?
A. Direct light reflex
B. Consensual light reflex
C. Accommodation
D. Convergence
Answer: B
