2025 HESI Physical Assessment Practice
Test – Expert-Designed for Nursing
School Success
A client is in the clinical for a yearly physical examination. Which action should the nurse take
when preparing to examine the client's abdomen?
Keep the room cool so the client is not perspiring.
Ask the client to urinate before beginning the examination.
Examine painful or tender areas first.
Position the client supine with arms over the head. - <<<correct answer>>>Ask the client to
urinate before beginning the examination.
Rationale
An empty bladder aids in abdominal wall relaxation. The nurse should ask the client to empty
the bladder before examining the abdomen.
A client reports lower abdominal pain and a feeling of pressure in the bladder. Which
assessment finding indicates acute urinary retention?
Hyperactive bowel sounds.
Dull sound percussed over bladder.
Bruits auscultated in left lower quadrant.
,Tenderness with palpation of lower back. - <<<correct answer>>>Dull sound percussed over
bladder.
Rationale
Clients with acute urinary retention may present with lower abdominal pain and bladder
distension. Percussion (tapping on the body wall) is performed to detect differences in pitch. A
dull sound produced when percussing a distended urinary bladder is an indication of urinary
retention.
The nurse is assessing a healthy young adult during an annual physical examination. Which
assessment technique should the nurse implement when palpating the abdominal aorta?
Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus.
Palpation of the abdomen as the client completes a deep breath.
With the client standing, compress the abdomen as the nurse stands behind the client.
With the palm of one hand, compress the abdomen 2 fingerbreaths below xiphoid process. -
<<<correct answer>>>Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus.
Rationale
Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus is effective in sensing the pulsation of the
aorta.
Which technique should the nurse use to assess a client for scoliosis?
Watch gait while the client ambulates down the hallway.
Observe spine while the client is erect and bent forward.
Palpate neck while the client rotates head from side to side.
Assess for presence of pain when the client twists the torso. - <<<correct answer>>>Observe
spine while the client is erect and bent forward.
, Rationale
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine seen upon inspection of the spine while the client
stands erect and then bends forward.
The nurse is assessing a postmenopausal client who has a BMI of 32. The client has a chest
measurement of 42 inches, a waist measurement of 45 inches, and a hip measurement of 50
inches. What important message should the nurse explain to the client to promote health
promotion?
"A waist circumference greater than 35 inches in women puts one at higher risk for type 2
diabetes and heart disease."
"Your hip circumference is larger than normal and it puts you at a higher risk of hip disease."
"At least your BMI is normal, so you just need to exercise."
"You will need to lose weight so you are not at risk for hypertension." - <<<correct
answer>>>"A waist circumference greater than 35 inches in women puts one at higher risk for
type 2 diabetes and heart disease."
Rationale
A waist circumference of equal to or greater than 35 inches in women and equal to or greater
than 40 inches in men increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and
cardiovascular disease in people with a BMI between 25 and 35.
During an inspection of a client's mouth and pharynx, the nurse places a tongue blade on the
back of the tongue which causes the client to gag. After removing the tongue blade, which
action should the nurse take?
Initiate aspiration precautions.
Notify the healthcare provider.
Document an intact gag reflex.
Provide a warm salt water gargle. - <<<correct answer>>>Document an intact gag reflex.
Test – Expert-Designed for Nursing
School Success
A client is in the clinical for a yearly physical examination. Which action should the nurse take
when preparing to examine the client's abdomen?
Keep the room cool so the client is not perspiring.
Ask the client to urinate before beginning the examination.
Examine painful or tender areas first.
Position the client supine with arms over the head. - <<<correct answer>>>Ask the client to
urinate before beginning the examination.
Rationale
An empty bladder aids in abdominal wall relaxation. The nurse should ask the client to empty
the bladder before examining the abdomen.
A client reports lower abdominal pain and a feeling of pressure in the bladder. Which
assessment finding indicates acute urinary retention?
Hyperactive bowel sounds.
Dull sound percussed over bladder.
Bruits auscultated in left lower quadrant.
,Tenderness with palpation of lower back. - <<<correct answer>>>Dull sound percussed over
bladder.
Rationale
Clients with acute urinary retention may present with lower abdominal pain and bladder
distension. Percussion (tapping on the body wall) is performed to detect differences in pitch. A
dull sound produced when percussing a distended urinary bladder is an indication of urinary
retention.
The nurse is assessing a healthy young adult during an annual physical examination. Which
assessment technique should the nurse implement when palpating the abdominal aorta?
Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus.
Palpation of the abdomen as the client completes a deep breath.
With the client standing, compress the abdomen as the nurse stands behind the client.
With the palm of one hand, compress the abdomen 2 fingerbreaths below xiphoid process. -
<<<correct answer>>>Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus.
Rationale
Deep palpation above and to the left of the umbilicus is effective in sensing the pulsation of the
aorta.
Which technique should the nurse use to assess a client for scoliosis?
Watch gait while the client ambulates down the hallway.
Observe spine while the client is erect and bent forward.
Palpate neck while the client rotates head from side to side.
Assess for presence of pain when the client twists the torso. - <<<correct answer>>>Observe
spine while the client is erect and bent forward.
, Rationale
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine seen upon inspection of the spine while the client
stands erect and then bends forward.
The nurse is assessing a postmenopausal client who has a BMI of 32. The client has a chest
measurement of 42 inches, a waist measurement of 45 inches, and a hip measurement of 50
inches. What important message should the nurse explain to the client to promote health
promotion?
"A waist circumference greater than 35 inches in women puts one at higher risk for type 2
diabetes and heart disease."
"Your hip circumference is larger than normal and it puts you at a higher risk of hip disease."
"At least your BMI is normal, so you just need to exercise."
"You will need to lose weight so you are not at risk for hypertension." - <<<correct
answer>>>"A waist circumference greater than 35 inches in women puts one at higher risk for
type 2 diabetes and heart disease."
Rationale
A waist circumference of equal to or greater than 35 inches in women and equal to or greater
than 40 inches in men increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and
cardiovascular disease in people with a BMI between 25 and 35.
During an inspection of a client's mouth and pharynx, the nurse places a tongue blade on the
back of the tongue which causes the client to gag. After removing the tongue blade, which
action should the nurse take?
Initiate aspiration precautions.
Notify the healthcare provider.
Document an intact gag reflex.
Provide a warm salt water gargle. - <<<correct answer>>>Document an intact gag reflex.
