BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam V1
(Latest 2025/2026 Update)
Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A –
Nightingale
1 Introduction
This document includes verified and 100% correct questions and answers
for the BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam Version 1, updated for the
2025/2026 academic year and based on Nightingale College’s curriculum.
Designed for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students, it prepares
learners for clinical and theoretical mastery in health assessment. The
questions cover General Survey & Vital Signs, Skin, Hair, Nails, Cardiovas-
cular & Respiratory, Neurological, GI, and Musculoskeletal, and Cultural
& Psychosocial Considerations, reflecting the scope of the HESI exam.
2 Exam Questions and Answers
The following 100 questions mirror the BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment
Exam V1 format. Each question includes four answer options, with the
correct answer highlighted in bold green. A brief clinical rationale rein-
forces understanding.
1. What is the first step in a general survey during a health assessment?
A. Measure vital signs C. Palpate lymph nodes
B. Observe overall appearance D. Auscultate lungs
Rationale: The general survey begins with observing the patient’s appearance,
behavior, and mobility.
2. Which vital sign is most indicative of acute hypoxia?
A. Blood pressure C. Temperature
B. Pulse oximetry D. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation, directly reflecting hypoxia.
3. What is the normal range for adult oral temperature in Fahrenheit?
BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam V1 | Nightingale College | 2025/2026
, A. 95.0–97.0°F C. 99.0–101.0°F
B. 97.0–99.0°F D. 101.0–103.0°F
Rationale: Normal adult oral temperature is typically 97.0–99.0°F.
4. A patient’s blood pressure is 160/90 mmHg. This indicates:
A. Normal blood pressure C. Hypotension
B. Stage 2 hypertension D. Prehypertension
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension is defined as BP �140/90 mmHg.
5. Which pulse site is most reliable in an emergency?
A. Radial C. Pedal
B. Carotid D. Brachial
Rationale: The carotid pulse is central and reliable during emergencies.
6. A patient appears diaphoretic and pale. This suggests:
A. Shock or acute distress C. Chronic anemia
B. Normal hydration D. Stable condition
Rationale: Diaphoresis and pallor indicate acute distress, often shock.
7. What is the normal adult respiratory rate at rest?
A. 6–10 breaths/min C. 20–30 breaths/min
B. 12–20 breaths/min D. 30–40 breaths/min
Rationale: Normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths/min.
8. How should the nurse position the patient for accurate blood pressure
measurement?
A. Lying flat C. Standing upright
B. Sitting with arm at heart
level D. Arm dangling
Rationale: Sitting with the arm at heart level ensures accurate BP readings.
9. A pulse rate of 110 beats/min in an adult at rest indicates:
A. Normal pulse C. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia D. Arrhythmia
BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam V1 | Nightingale College | 2025/2026
, Rationale: Tachycardia is defined as a pulse >100 beats/min.
10. Which tool is used to assess pain in a general survey?
A. Stethoscope C. Reflex hammer
B. Numeric pain scale D. Ophthalmoscope
Rationale: The numeric pain scale quantifies patient-reported pain.
11. What does a bounding pulse suggest?
A. Hyperthyroidism or fluid C. Peripheral artery disease
overload
B. Hypovolemia D. Bradycardia
Rationale: A bounding pulse indicates increased stroke volume.
12. Which vital sign is affected first in hypovolemic shock?
A. Pulse rate C. Temperature
B. Blood pressure D. Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Tachycardia compensates for volume loss in early shock.
13. What is the correct technique for assessing respiratory rate?
A. Count breaths discreetly for deeply
30 seconds and double
C. Count while holding the wrist
B. Ask the patient to breathe D. Use a stethoscope
Rationale: Discreet counting prevents altering the patient’s breathing.
14. A patient’s temperature is 100.4°F. This indicates:
A. Normal temperature C. Hypothermia
B. Fever D. Hyperthermia
Rationale: Fever is defined as a temperature >100.4°F.
15. What is the normal adult pulse range?
A. 40–60 beats/min C. 100–120 beats/min
B. 60–100 beats/min D. 120–140 beats/min
Rationale: Normal adult pulse is 60–100 beats/min at rest.
16. What does orthostatic hypotension indicate?
BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam V1 | Nightingale College | 2025/2026
(Latest 2025/2026 Update)
Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A –
Nightingale
1 Introduction
This document includes verified and 100% correct questions and answers
for the BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam Version 1, updated for the
2025/2026 academic year and based on Nightingale College’s curriculum.
Designed for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students, it prepares
learners for clinical and theoretical mastery in health assessment. The
questions cover General Survey & Vital Signs, Skin, Hair, Nails, Cardiovas-
cular & Respiratory, Neurological, GI, and Musculoskeletal, and Cultural
& Psychosocial Considerations, reflecting the scope of the HESI exam.
2 Exam Questions and Answers
The following 100 questions mirror the BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment
Exam V1 format. Each question includes four answer options, with the
correct answer highlighted in bold green. A brief clinical rationale rein-
forces understanding.
1. What is the first step in a general survey during a health assessment?
A. Measure vital signs C. Palpate lymph nodes
B. Observe overall appearance D. Auscultate lungs
Rationale: The general survey begins with observing the patient’s appearance,
behavior, and mobility.
2. Which vital sign is most indicative of acute hypoxia?
A. Blood pressure C. Temperature
B. Pulse oximetry D. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation, directly reflecting hypoxia.
3. What is the normal range for adult oral temperature in Fahrenheit?
BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam V1 | Nightingale College | 2025/2026
, A. 95.0–97.0°F C. 99.0–101.0°F
B. 97.0–99.0°F D. 101.0–103.0°F
Rationale: Normal adult oral temperature is typically 97.0–99.0°F.
4. A patient’s blood pressure is 160/90 mmHg. This indicates:
A. Normal blood pressure C. Hypotension
B. Stage 2 hypertension D. Prehypertension
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension is defined as BP �140/90 mmHg.
5. Which pulse site is most reliable in an emergency?
A. Radial C. Pedal
B. Carotid D. Brachial
Rationale: The carotid pulse is central and reliable during emergencies.
6. A patient appears diaphoretic and pale. This suggests:
A. Shock or acute distress C. Chronic anemia
B. Normal hydration D. Stable condition
Rationale: Diaphoresis and pallor indicate acute distress, often shock.
7. What is the normal adult respiratory rate at rest?
A. 6–10 breaths/min C. 20–30 breaths/min
B. 12–20 breaths/min D. 30–40 breaths/min
Rationale: Normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths/min.
8. How should the nurse position the patient for accurate blood pressure
measurement?
A. Lying flat C. Standing upright
B. Sitting with arm at heart
level D. Arm dangling
Rationale: Sitting with the arm at heart level ensures accurate BP readings.
9. A pulse rate of 110 beats/min in an adult at rest indicates:
A. Normal pulse C. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia D. Arrhythmia
BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam V1 | Nightingale College | 2025/2026
, Rationale: Tachycardia is defined as a pulse >100 beats/min.
10. Which tool is used to assess pain in a general survey?
A. Stethoscope C. Reflex hammer
B. Numeric pain scale D. Ophthalmoscope
Rationale: The numeric pain scale quantifies patient-reported pain.
11. What does a bounding pulse suggest?
A. Hyperthyroidism or fluid C. Peripheral artery disease
overload
B. Hypovolemia D. Bradycardia
Rationale: A bounding pulse indicates increased stroke volume.
12. Which vital sign is affected first in hypovolemic shock?
A. Pulse rate C. Temperature
B. Blood pressure D. Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Tachycardia compensates for volume loss in early shock.
13. What is the correct technique for assessing respiratory rate?
A. Count breaths discreetly for deeply
30 seconds and double
C. Count while holding the wrist
B. Ask the patient to breathe D. Use a stethoscope
Rationale: Discreet counting prevents altering the patient’s breathing.
14. A patient’s temperature is 100.4°F. This indicates:
A. Normal temperature C. Hypothermia
B. Fever D. Hyperthermia
Rationale: Fever is defined as a temperature >100.4°F.
15. What is the normal adult pulse range?
A. 40–60 beats/min C. 100–120 beats/min
B. 60–100 beats/min D. 120–140 beats/min
Rationale: Normal adult pulse is 60–100 beats/min at rest.
16. What does orthostatic hypotension indicate?
BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam V1 | Nightingale College | 2025/2026
