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BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Complete
Exam Prep (Latest 2025/2026 Update)
Questions and Verified Answers | 100%
Correct | Grade A – Nightingale
Question 1
During a comprehensive health history, the nurse asks about the patient's social support system.
Which response indicates a potential risk for social isolation?
A. "I see my family every weekend for dinner."
B. "I live alone but volunteer at the community center twice a week."
C. "My neighbors check on me daily since my spouse passed away."
D. "I rarely leave the house except for medical appointments."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Social isolation is a key risk factor for adverse health outcomes, including depression
and cardiovascular disease, per 2025 AHA guidelines. Option D directly describes limited
external interactions, warranting further assessment and interventions like community referrals,
unlike the active engagements in A–C.
Question 2
When performing a physical examination on a 45-year-old patient with hypertension, which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Heart rate 82 bpm
C. Respiratory rate 16 breaths/min
D. Presence of a harsh systolic murmur at the aortic area
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A new or harsh systolic murmur may indicate aortic stenosis, a critical valvular issue
that can lead to sudden cardiac events, as updated in the 2026 ACC/AHA valvular heart disease
guidelines. Immediate echocardiography is indicated, whereas A–C are within normal limits for
this demographic.
Question 3
, 2
In assessing a pediatric patient for developmental milestones, which tool is most appropriate for
a 24-month-old?
A. Denver Developmental Screening Test II
B. Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3)
C. Bayley Scales of Infant Development
D. CDC Milestone Tracker App
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ASQ-3 (2025 revision) is a parent-completed, evidence-based screener for
children 1–66 months, offering high sensitivity for delays in communication and motor skills. It
outperforms A (outdated), C (for infants <24 months), and D (informal tracking) in primary care
settings.
Question 4
A nurse is conducting a cultural health assessment. Which question best elicits the patient's
health beliefs?
A. "Do you take your medications as prescribed?"
B. "What is your ethnic background?"
C. "How does your cultural background influence your approach to illness?"
D. "Have you experienced any recent stressors?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cultural competence models (e.g., 2025 Campinha-Bacote framework) emphasize
exploring explanatory models of illness to tailor care, reducing disparities. C directly probes
beliefs, unlike A (adherence-focused), B (demographic), and D (general psychosocial).
Question 5
During abdominal assessment, which sequence is correct for inspection, auscultation, percussion,
and palpation?
A. Inspection, percussion, palpation, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard technique (Jarvis, 2026) prioritizes auscultation before percussion/palpation
to avoid altering bowel sounds. Inspection first orients; this sequence ensures accurate GI
assessment, preventing false positives in conditions like obstruction.
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Question 6
For a patient reporting chest pain, which assessment finding suggests musculoskeletal etiology
over cardiac?
A. Pain radiating to the jaw
B. Pain worse with exertion
C. Pain reproducible with palpation
D. Associated diaphoresis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reproducible chest wall tenderness is hallmark for costochondritis or strain, per 2025
AAFP guidelines, differentiating from angina (non-reproducible, exertional). A, B, and D are red
flags for ACS requiring ECG/troponin evaluation.
Question 7
In neurological assessment, what does a positive Romberg test indicate?
A. Cerebellar dysfunction
B. Sensory ataxia (proprioceptive loss)
C. Vestibular disorder
D. Peripheral neuropathy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Romberg sign reflects impaired proprioception (dorsal column involvement), as in
B12 deficiency or tabes dorsalis (2026 neurology texts). Eyes closed unmasks sensory reliance;
A/C involve balance differently, D affects vibration but not primarily Romberg.
Question 8
A 65-year-old patient with diabetes presents for foot assessment. Which finding warrants urgent
referral?
A. Callus on the heel
B. Mild tinea pedis
C. Non-healing ulcer on the metatarsal head
D. Ingrown toenail
Correct Answer: C
BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Complete
Exam Prep (Latest 2025/2026 Update)
Questions and Verified Answers | 100%
Correct | Grade A – Nightingale
Question 1
During a comprehensive health history, the nurse asks about the patient's social support system.
Which response indicates a potential risk for social isolation?
A. "I see my family every weekend for dinner."
B. "I live alone but volunteer at the community center twice a week."
C. "My neighbors check on me daily since my spouse passed away."
D. "I rarely leave the house except for medical appointments."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Social isolation is a key risk factor for adverse health outcomes, including depression
and cardiovascular disease, per 2025 AHA guidelines. Option D directly describes limited
external interactions, warranting further assessment and interventions like community referrals,
unlike the active engagements in A–C.
Question 2
When performing a physical examination on a 45-year-old patient with hypertension, which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Heart rate 82 bpm
C. Respiratory rate 16 breaths/min
D. Presence of a harsh systolic murmur at the aortic area
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A new or harsh systolic murmur may indicate aortic stenosis, a critical valvular issue
that can lead to sudden cardiac events, as updated in the 2026 ACC/AHA valvular heart disease
guidelines. Immediate echocardiography is indicated, whereas A–C are within normal limits for
this demographic.
Question 3
, 2
In assessing a pediatric patient for developmental milestones, which tool is most appropriate for
a 24-month-old?
A. Denver Developmental Screening Test II
B. Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3)
C. Bayley Scales of Infant Development
D. CDC Milestone Tracker App
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ASQ-3 (2025 revision) is a parent-completed, evidence-based screener for
children 1–66 months, offering high sensitivity for delays in communication and motor skills. It
outperforms A (outdated), C (for infants <24 months), and D (informal tracking) in primary care
settings.
Question 4
A nurse is conducting a cultural health assessment. Which question best elicits the patient's
health beliefs?
A. "Do you take your medications as prescribed?"
B. "What is your ethnic background?"
C. "How does your cultural background influence your approach to illness?"
D. "Have you experienced any recent stressors?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cultural competence models (e.g., 2025 Campinha-Bacote framework) emphasize
exploring explanatory models of illness to tailor care, reducing disparities. C directly probes
beliefs, unlike A (adherence-focused), B (demographic), and D (general psychosocial).
Question 5
During abdominal assessment, which sequence is correct for inspection, auscultation, percussion,
and palpation?
A. Inspection, percussion, palpation, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard technique (Jarvis, 2026) prioritizes auscultation before percussion/palpation
to avoid altering bowel sounds. Inspection first orients; this sequence ensures accurate GI
assessment, preventing false positives in conditions like obstruction.
, 3
Question 6
For a patient reporting chest pain, which assessment finding suggests musculoskeletal etiology
over cardiac?
A. Pain radiating to the jaw
B. Pain worse with exertion
C. Pain reproducible with palpation
D. Associated diaphoresis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reproducible chest wall tenderness is hallmark for costochondritis or strain, per 2025
AAFP guidelines, differentiating from angina (non-reproducible, exertional). A, B, and D are red
flags for ACS requiring ECG/troponin evaluation.
Question 7
In neurological assessment, what does a positive Romberg test indicate?
A. Cerebellar dysfunction
B. Sensory ataxia (proprioceptive loss)
C. Vestibular disorder
D. Peripheral neuropathy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Romberg sign reflects impaired proprioception (dorsal column involvement), as in
B12 deficiency or tabes dorsalis (2026 neurology texts). Eyes closed unmasks sensory reliance;
A/C involve balance differently, D affects vibration but not primarily Romberg.
Question 8
A 65-year-old patient with diabetes presents for foot assessment. Which finding warrants urgent
referral?
A. Callus on the heel
B. Mild tinea pedis
C. Non-healing ulcer on the metatarsal head
D. Ingrown toenail
Correct Answer: C
