BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT
EXAM V1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment, in what order should the nurse perform the
techniques for an abdominal examination?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdominal exam, auscultation is performed second to
avoid altering bowel sounds through percussion or palpation.
2. Which cranial nerve is being assessed when the nurse asks the patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
C. CN X (Vagus)
,D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: CN XI innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid
muscles; shrugging against resistance tests its motor function.
3. A patient presents with a ‘strawberry tongue.’ This finding is most commonly associated
with which condition?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Oral candidiasis
C. Scarlet fever
D. Iron deficiency anemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A bright red, bumpy ‘strawberry tongue’ is a classic sign of
Scarlet fever or Kawasaki disease.
4. When assessing the chest, the nurse notes a coarse, low-pitched snoring sound that clears
with coughing. How should this be documented?
A. Wheezes
B. Rhonchi
C. Crackles
D. Pleural friction rub
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Rhonchi are continuous low-pitched sounds caused by
secretions in larger airways and often clear with a cough.
5. The nurse is testing a patient’s visual acuity using a Snellen chart. The patient’s vision is
recorded as 20/40. What does this mean?
A. The patient can see at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet.
B. The patient can see at 40 feet what a normal eye sees at 20 feet.
C. The patient has 20% vision in the right eye and 40% in the left eye.
D. The patient is legally blind.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The numerator is the distance the patient stands from the chart
(20ft), and the denominator is the distance at which a normal eye could read that line.
6. Which heart sound is considered a ‘ventricular gallop’ and is often a sign of heart failure in
older adults?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S4
D. S3
Answer: D
EXAM V1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment, in what order should the nurse perform the
techniques for an abdominal examination?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdominal exam, auscultation is performed second to
avoid altering bowel sounds through percussion or palpation.
2. Which cranial nerve is being assessed when the nurse asks the patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
C. CN X (Vagus)
,D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: CN XI innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid
muscles; shrugging against resistance tests its motor function.
3. A patient presents with a ‘strawberry tongue.’ This finding is most commonly associated
with which condition?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Oral candidiasis
C. Scarlet fever
D. Iron deficiency anemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A bright red, bumpy ‘strawberry tongue’ is a classic sign of
Scarlet fever or Kawasaki disease.
4. When assessing the chest, the nurse notes a coarse, low-pitched snoring sound that clears
with coughing. How should this be documented?
A. Wheezes
B. Rhonchi
C. Crackles
D. Pleural friction rub
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Rhonchi are continuous low-pitched sounds caused by
secretions in larger airways and often clear with a cough.
5. The nurse is testing a patient’s visual acuity using a Snellen chart. The patient’s vision is
recorded as 20/40. What does this mean?
A. The patient can see at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet.
B. The patient can see at 40 feet what a normal eye sees at 20 feet.
C. The patient has 20% vision in the right eye and 40% in the left eye.
D. The patient is legally blind.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The numerator is the distance the patient stands from the chart
(20ft), and the denominator is the distance at which a normal eye could read that line.
6. Which heart sound is considered a ‘ventricular gallop’ and is often a sign of heart failure in
older adults?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S4
D. S3
Answer: D
