BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM V2 2026/2027 | FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS, STUDY GUIDE & COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
In observing a client's face, which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention
by the nurse?
A. Oral mucosa is cyanotic.
B. Nasolabial folds present bilaterally
C. Smooth and even skin tone
D. Absence of facial drooping - Correct answer ✔✔ A. Oral mucosa is cyanotic.
While obtaining a health history, a male client tells the nurse that he sometimes experiences
shortness of breath. The nurse determines that the client's respirators are regular and deep,
and his respiratory rate is 14 breaths/minutes. What is the best nursing action?
A. Administer oxygen immediately.
B. Ask the client to describe the episodes of dyspnea in more detail.
C. Notify the healthcare provider about the client's condition.
D. Place the client in a prone position to ease breathing. - Correct answer ✔✔ B. Ask the client
to describe the episodes of dyspnea in more detail.
When assessing a male client's respiratory status, which technique should the nurse use to
assess his anterior-posterior (AP) chest diameter?
A. Intervention.
B. Assessment.
C. Documentation.
D. Observation. - Correct answer ✔✔ D. Observation.
Which assessment finding supports the client's statement, "My feet swell all the time?"
A. No edema present.
,B. 2+ pitting edema of ankles bilaterally.
C. Non-pitting edema of the lower extremities.
D. Redness and warmth in the ankles. - Correct answer ✔✔ B. 2+ pitting edema of ankles
bilaterally.
The nurse is performing a cranial nerve exam on an 87-year-
old client. The nurse notes that the client has a reduced upward gaze, a decreased corneal
reflex, a high-frequency hearing loss, and a reduced gag reflex. What action should the nurse
take next?
A. Repeat the cranial nerve test to confirm the findings.
B. Document the findings and notify the healthcare provider.
C. Ask the client if they are experiencing any unusual symptoms.
D. Continue the assessment to the next pairs of cranial nerves. - Correct answer ✔✔ D.
Continue the assessment to the next pairs of cranial nerves.
When performing a neurologic assessment on an alert client, the nurse observes that the
client's pupils are both round, 3 mm in size, and respond briskly to light. Which notation should
the nurse use when documenting the assessment
A. PERRL
B. Dilated pupils
C. Unequal pupil size
D. Sluggish pupillary reaction? - Correct answer ✔✔ A. PERRL
Which assessment technique provides the nurse with the best data related to the client's level
of peripheral perfusion? - Correct answer ✔✔ .
The nurse is assessing a female client who states that her hemorrhoids are inflamed and hurt
constantly. Which intervention is best for the nurse to complete a focused assessment?
A. Position the client in the left lateral position to inspect the perianal area for fissures or sacs.
, B. Palpate the perianal area with both hands to assess skin elasticity.
C. Ask the client to stand and bend forward to assess the sacrum.
D. Apply deep palpation to the lower abdomen to detect tenderness. - Correct answer ✔✔ A.
Position the client in the left lateral position to inspect the perianal area for fissures or sacs.
The nurse is performing an initial assessment of a client who has an expressionless facial affect,
slurred speech, and red conjunctivae. What question should the nurse ask first?
A. "Have you been sleeping well?"
B. "What did you eat for breakfast today?"
C. "Do you experience any changes in your vision?"
D. "How often do you exercise during the week?" - Correct answer ✔✔ A. "Have you been
sleeping well?"
After checking a client's pupillary response to light, the practical nurse (PN) tells the nurse that
the client's pupils are constricted with minimal response to light. Before verifying the PN's
findings, which action should the nurse take?
A. Assess the client's visual fields
B. Check the client's blood pressure
C. Ask the client about recent headaches
D. Observe the client's facial symmetry - Correct answer ✔✔ A. Assess the client's visual fields.
The nurse completes inspection of the abdomen on an adult client. Which finding is considered
normal for this client?
A. Homogeneous color.
B. Redness with patches.
C. Uneven pigmentation.
D. Presence of lesions. - Correct answer ✔✔ A. Homogeneous color.
QUESTIONS, STUDY GUIDE & COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
In observing a client's face, which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention
by the nurse?
A. Oral mucosa is cyanotic.
B. Nasolabial folds present bilaterally
C. Smooth and even skin tone
D. Absence of facial drooping - Correct answer ✔✔ A. Oral mucosa is cyanotic.
While obtaining a health history, a male client tells the nurse that he sometimes experiences
shortness of breath. The nurse determines that the client's respirators are regular and deep,
and his respiratory rate is 14 breaths/minutes. What is the best nursing action?
A. Administer oxygen immediately.
B. Ask the client to describe the episodes of dyspnea in more detail.
C. Notify the healthcare provider about the client's condition.
D. Place the client in a prone position to ease breathing. - Correct answer ✔✔ B. Ask the client
to describe the episodes of dyspnea in more detail.
When assessing a male client's respiratory status, which technique should the nurse use to
assess his anterior-posterior (AP) chest diameter?
A. Intervention.
B. Assessment.
C. Documentation.
D. Observation. - Correct answer ✔✔ D. Observation.
Which assessment finding supports the client's statement, "My feet swell all the time?"
A. No edema present.
,B. 2+ pitting edema of ankles bilaterally.
C. Non-pitting edema of the lower extremities.
D. Redness and warmth in the ankles. - Correct answer ✔✔ B. 2+ pitting edema of ankles
bilaterally.
The nurse is performing a cranial nerve exam on an 87-year-
old client. The nurse notes that the client has a reduced upward gaze, a decreased corneal
reflex, a high-frequency hearing loss, and a reduced gag reflex. What action should the nurse
take next?
A. Repeat the cranial nerve test to confirm the findings.
B. Document the findings and notify the healthcare provider.
C. Ask the client if they are experiencing any unusual symptoms.
D. Continue the assessment to the next pairs of cranial nerves. - Correct answer ✔✔ D.
Continue the assessment to the next pairs of cranial nerves.
When performing a neurologic assessment on an alert client, the nurse observes that the
client's pupils are both round, 3 mm in size, and respond briskly to light. Which notation should
the nurse use when documenting the assessment
A. PERRL
B. Dilated pupils
C. Unequal pupil size
D. Sluggish pupillary reaction? - Correct answer ✔✔ A. PERRL
Which assessment technique provides the nurse with the best data related to the client's level
of peripheral perfusion? - Correct answer ✔✔ .
The nurse is assessing a female client who states that her hemorrhoids are inflamed and hurt
constantly. Which intervention is best for the nurse to complete a focused assessment?
A. Position the client in the left lateral position to inspect the perianal area for fissures or sacs.
, B. Palpate the perianal area with both hands to assess skin elasticity.
C. Ask the client to stand and bend forward to assess the sacrum.
D. Apply deep palpation to the lower abdomen to detect tenderness. - Correct answer ✔✔ A.
Position the client in the left lateral position to inspect the perianal area for fissures or sacs.
The nurse is performing an initial assessment of a client who has an expressionless facial affect,
slurred speech, and red conjunctivae. What question should the nurse ask first?
A. "Have you been sleeping well?"
B. "What did you eat for breakfast today?"
C. "Do you experience any changes in your vision?"
D. "How often do you exercise during the week?" - Correct answer ✔✔ A. "Have you been
sleeping well?"
After checking a client's pupillary response to light, the practical nurse (PN) tells the nurse that
the client's pupils are constricted with minimal response to light. Before verifying the PN's
findings, which action should the nurse take?
A. Assess the client's visual fields
B. Check the client's blood pressure
C. Ask the client about recent headaches
D. Observe the client's facial symmetry - Correct answer ✔✔ A. Assess the client's visual fields.
The nurse completes inspection of the abdomen on an adult client. Which finding is considered
normal for this client?
A. Homogeneous color.
B. Redness with patches.
C. Uneven pigmentation.
D. Presence of lesions. - Correct answer ✔✔ A. Homogeneous color.
