Practice Questions and Answers

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

A nurse is assessing a client’s vital signs. Which finding indicates a need for immediate intervention?

• Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
• Temperature 37.2°C

✔✔C. Respiratory rate 8/min

• Heart rate 76 bpm

During a physical assessment, a nurse notices the client has jugular vein distention while sitting at 45 degrees. What does this most likely indicate?

• Dehydration

✔✔B. Right-sided heart failure

• Hypotension
• Pulmonary embolism

A nurse is performing a cardiovascular assessment. Which finding is considered abnormal? 1 / 4

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• Apical pulse rate 72 bpm
• S1 and S2 heard clearly

✔✔C. Presence of S3

• Peripheral pulses 2+

A nurse is assessing a client’s lungs. Which finding is expected in a healthy adult?

• Wheezing

✔✔B. Vesicular breath sounds over the peripheral lung fields

• Crackles at bases
• Diminished breath sounds

A nurse is assessing a client’s abdomen. Which finding requires further investigation?

• Bowel sounds present in all quadrants
• Soft, non-tender abdomen

✔✔C. Distended abdomen with absent bowel sounds

• Slight tympany on percussion
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During a neurological assessment, a client cannot perform rapid alternating movements with their hands. What does this suggest?

• Cranial nerve II deficit
• Sensory deficit

✔✔C. Cerebellar dysfunction

• Peripheral neuropathy

A nurse is assessing a client’s skin. Which finding is normal in an older adult?

• Moist and warm
• Turgor returns immediately
• Multiple vesicles

✔✔D. Dryness and decreased elasticity

A nurse is performing a head-to-toe assessment. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the client shrugs their shoulders against resistance?

• Cranial nerve V
• Cranial nerve IX

✔✔C. Cranial nerve XI 3 / 4

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• Cranial nerve VII

A nurse is assessing a client’s eyes. Which is a normal pupillary response?

• Pupils unequal, sluggish reaction
• Constricted and fixed pupils

✔✔C. Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation

• Dilated and nonreactive pupils

A nurse is checking a client’s peripheral pulses. Which pulse is located behind the knee?

• Radial
• Femoral

✔✔C. Popliteal

• Dorsalis pedis

During an assessment, a nurse hears a bruit over the carotid artery. What does this indicate?

• Normal finding

✔✔B. Turbulent blood flow suggesting possible arterial narrowing

• Venous congestion
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