HESI Health Assessment Questions

1

HESI Health Assessment Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

A nurse is assessing a patient’s heart sounds. Which valve is best auscultated at the second intercostal space, right sternal border?

• Tricuspid
• Mitral

✔✔C. Aortic

• Pulmonic

During a respiratory assessment, a nurse hears high-pitched whistling sounds during expiration.What is this called?

• Crackles

✔✔B. Wheezes

• Stridor
• Pleural rub

A nurse assesses a patient’s skin turgor to evaluate: 1 / 4

2

• Infection
• Temperature regulation

✔✔C. Hydration status

• Allergic reaction

Which pulse site is most appropriate to assess in an adult patient for circulation to the brain?

• Brachial

✔✔B. Carotid

• Femoral
• Radial

When assessing a patient’s abdomen, a nurse notes dullness on percussion in the left lower

quadrant. This is most consistent with:

• Normal bowel gas

✔✔B. Solid organ or stool

• Free air
• Ascites
• / 4

3

During assessment, a nurse observes jugular vein distention while the patient is at 45 degrees.What does this indicate?

• Hypovolemia

✔✔B. Right-sided heart failure

• Pneumothorax
• Pulmonary embolism

Which finding indicates a normal pupillary light reflex?

• Constricted left pupil only

✔✔B. Both pupils constrict equally

• Both pupils dilate
• One pupil dilates, the other constricts

A patient complains of chest pain radiating to the left arm. The nurse should first:

• Start oxygen

✔✔B. Perform focused cardiovascular assessment

• Obtain a full medication history
• Administer pain medication 3 / 4

4

While assessing a patient’s lungs, a nurse hears fine crackles at the base. This is most likely

associated with:

• Asthma
• Pneumothorax

✔✔C. Heart failure or fluid overload

D. COPD

Which technique is correct for auscultating bowel sounds?

• Firm palpation of the abdomen

✔✔B. Using the diaphragm of the stethoscope lightly in all quadrants

• Percussing the abdomen first
• Using the bell of the stethoscope

A nurse assesses a patient’s gait and notes unsteady, wide-based walking. This may indicate:

• Normal aging

✔✔B. Cerebellar dysfunction

• Peripheral neuropathy only
• / 4