BSN 246 HESI HEALTH EXAM STUDY
GUIDE V1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected heart failure. Which heart sound is specifically
associated with decreased ventricular compliance and is often referred to as a ventricular
gallop?
A. S1 sound
B. S3 sound
C. S2 sound
D. S4 sound
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The S3 heart sound, or ventricular gallop, occurs early in
diastole during the rapid ventricular filling phase. It is often a sign of fluid volume overload
or heart failure in adults.
2. When performing an abdominal assessment, what is the correct sequence of physical
examination techniques to avoid altering bowel sounds?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
,C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The abdomen is inspected first, then auscultated. Percussion and
palpation are done last because they can stimulate peristalsis and alter the frequency of
bowel sounds.
3. A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 7. Which interpretation by the nurse is
correct regarding this patient’s neurological status?
A. The patient is alert and oriented.
B. The patient has severe brain injury and requires airway protection.
C. The patient is in a moderate coma state.
D. The patient shows mild cognitive impairment.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A GCS score of 8 or less is generally indicative of a severe brain
injury and often necessitates intubation for airway protection.
4. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse hears high-pitched, musical sounds primarily
during expiration. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
, C. Rhonchi
D. Stridor
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Wheezes are high-pitched, continuous musical sounds caused by
air rushing through narrowed or obstructed airways, most common in asthma or COPD.
5. A patient is diagnosed with metabolic acidosis. Which respiratory pattern does the nurse
expect to observe as the body attempts to compensate?
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Biot’s respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that represent
the body’s attempt to blow off excess CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis.
6. Which assessment finding is a classic sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Negative Romberg test
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Reduced deep tendon reflexes
GUIDE V1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected heart failure. Which heart sound is specifically
associated with decreased ventricular compliance and is often referred to as a ventricular
gallop?
A. S1 sound
B. S3 sound
C. S2 sound
D. S4 sound
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The S3 heart sound, or ventricular gallop, occurs early in
diastole during the rapid ventricular filling phase. It is often a sign of fluid volume overload
or heart failure in adults.
2. When performing an abdominal assessment, what is the correct sequence of physical
examination techniques to avoid altering bowel sounds?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
,C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The abdomen is inspected first, then auscultated. Percussion and
palpation are done last because they can stimulate peristalsis and alter the frequency of
bowel sounds.
3. A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 7. Which interpretation by the nurse is
correct regarding this patient’s neurological status?
A. The patient is alert and oriented.
B. The patient has severe brain injury and requires airway protection.
C. The patient is in a moderate coma state.
D. The patient shows mild cognitive impairment.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A GCS score of 8 or less is generally indicative of a severe brain
injury and often necessitates intubation for airway protection.
4. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse hears high-pitched, musical sounds primarily
during expiration. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
, C. Rhonchi
D. Stridor
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Wheezes are high-pitched, continuous musical sounds caused by
air rushing through narrowed or obstructed airways, most common in asthma or COPD.
5. A patient is diagnosed with metabolic acidosis. Which respiratory pattern does the nurse
expect to observe as the body attempts to compensate?
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Biot’s respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that represent
the body’s attempt to blow off excess CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis.
6. Which assessment finding is a classic sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Negative Romberg test
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Reduced deep tendon reflexes
