___________________________________________________________________
HESI Health Assessment Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1.
A nurse is beginning a health assessment with a client. Which action should the
nurse perform first?
A. Perform a complete physical examination
B. Establish rapport and explain the assessment process
C. Obtain the client's family medical history
D. Measure the client's blood pressure
Answer: B. Establish rapport and explain the assessment process
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and cooperation and helps the
client understand what to expect during the assessment.
2.
Which technique should the nurse use first when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
,Answer: D. Inspection
Rationale: The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and palpation because palpation and percussion can
alter bowel sounds.
3.
A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory system. Which finding requires
immediate follow-up?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Symmetrical chest expansion
C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Clear breath sounds bilaterally
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia in most adults and
requires prompt assessment and intervention.
4.
Which pulse characteristic is assessed by determining the force of blood against
the arterial wall?
A. Rhythm
B. Rate
C. Amplitude
D. Location
Answer: C. Amplitude
Rationale: Pulse amplitude describes the strength or force of the pulse and is
commonly graded from absent to bounding.
5.
A nurse is preparing to assess a client's blood pressure. Which action is
appropriate?
,A. Place the cuff over the client's clothing
B. Position the arm above heart level
C. Use a cuff with a bladder width about 40% of the arm circumference
D. Allow the client to talk during the measurement
Answer: C. Use a cuff with a bladder width about 40% of the arm circumference
Rationale: Proper cuff size is essential for an accurate blood pressure
measurement. A cuff that is too small can produce a falsely elevated reading.
6.
Which finding is considered a normal age-related change in an older adult?
A. New-onset confusion
B. Increased skin elasticity
C. Decreased visual accommodation
D. Sudden loss of hearing
Answer: C. Decreased visual accommodation
Rationale: Presbyopia, or decreased ability to focus on nearby objects, is a
common age-related change. Sudden confusion or sensory loss requires
evaluation.
7.
The nurse asks a client to state the current location, date, and situation. Which
cognitive function is the nurse assessing?
A. Judgment
B. Orientation
C. Abstract reasoning
D. Memory recall
Answer: B. Orientation
Rationale: Orientation assesses awareness of person, place, time, and situation.
8.
, Which question is most appropriate when assessing a client's chief complaint?
A. "Why did you wait so long to seek treatment?"
B. "Can you describe what brought you in today?"
C. "Do you have a history of diabetes?"
D. "Does anyone in your family have this problem?"
Answer: B. "Can you describe what brought you in today?"
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the client to describe the primary
concern in their own words without directing the response.
9.
Which component of the health history focuses on previous illnesses, surgeries,
hospitalizations, and injuries?
A. Family history
B. Social history
C. Past medical history
D. Review of systems
Answer: C. Past medical history
Rationale: The past medical history includes significant illnesses, surgeries,
injuries, hospitalizations, allergies, and other relevant previous health events.
10.
A nurse is assessing pain using the PQRST framework. What does the "R"
represent?
A. Relief
B. Region or radiation
C. Response
D. Risk
Answer: B. Region or radiation
HESI Health Assessment Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1.
A nurse is beginning a health assessment with a client. Which action should the
nurse perform first?
A. Perform a complete physical examination
B. Establish rapport and explain the assessment process
C. Obtain the client's family medical history
D. Measure the client's blood pressure
Answer: B. Establish rapport and explain the assessment process
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and cooperation and helps the
client understand what to expect during the assessment.
2.
Which technique should the nurse use first when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
,Answer: D. Inspection
Rationale: The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and palpation because palpation and percussion can
alter bowel sounds.
3.
A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory system. Which finding requires
immediate follow-up?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Symmetrical chest expansion
C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Clear breath sounds bilaterally
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia in most adults and
requires prompt assessment and intervention.
4.
Which pulse characteristic is assessed by determining the force of blood against
the arterial wall?
A. Rhythm
B. Rate
C. Amplitude
D. Location
Answer: C. Amplitude
Rationale: Pulse amplitude describes the strength or force of the pulse and is
commonly graded from absent to bounding.
5.
A nurse is preparing to assess a client's blood pressure. Which action is
appropriate?
,A. Place the cuff over the client's clothing
B. Position the arm above heart level
C. Use a cuff with a bladder width about 40% of the arm circumference
D. Allow the client to talk during the measurement
Answer: C. Use a cuff with a bladder width about 40% of the arm circumference
Rationale: Proper cuff size is essential for an accurate blood pressure
measurement. A cuff that is too small can produce a falsely elevated reading.
6.
Which finding is considered a normal age-related change in an older adult?
A. New-onset confusion
B. Increased skin elasticity
C. Decreased visual accommodation
D. Sudden loss of hearing
Answer: C. Decreased visual accommodation
Rationale: Presbyopia, or decreased ability to focus on nearby objects, is a
common age-related change. Sudden confusion or sensory loss requires
evaluation.
7.
The nurse asks a client to state the current location, date, and situation. Which
cognitive function is the nurse assessing?
A. Judgment
B. Orientation
C. Abstract reasoning
D. Memory recall
Answer: B. Orientation
Rationale: Orientation assesses awareness of person, place, time, and situation.
8.
, Which question is most appropriate when assessing a client's chief complaint?
A. "Why did you wait so long to seek treatment?"
B. "Can you describe what brought you in today?"
C. "Do you have a history of diabetes?"
D. "Does anyone in your family have this problem?"
Answer: B. "Can you describe what brought you in today?"
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the client to describe the primary
concern in their own words without directing the response.
9.
Which component of the health history focuses on previous illnesses, surgeries,
hospitalizations, and injuries?
A. Family history
B. Social history
C. Past medical history
D. Review of systems
Answer: C. Past medical history
Rationale: The past medical history includes significant illnesses, surgeries,
injuries, hospitalizations, allergies, and other relevant previous health events.
10.
A nurse is assessing pain using the PQRST framework. What does the "R"
represent?
A. Relief
B. Region or radiation
C. Response
D. Risk
Answer: B. Region or radiation
