HESI A2 — All Questions

Read the passage: 'Sleep is essential for health. During sleep, the body repairs tissues and the brain consolidates memories.' Which detail supports the main idea?

• a.The brain consolidates memories.✓
• b.Sleep is a waste of time.
• c.Memories are unimportant.
• d.People need no rest.

The main idea is that sleep is essential for health. The statement that the brain consolidates memories during sleep is a specific detail that supports that idea.

Read the passage: 'The clerk sighed, glanced at the clock repeatedly, and answered questions in short, clipped phrases.' What can you infer about the clerk?

• a.The clerk was on vacation.
• b.The clerk owned the store.
• c.The clerk was impatient.✓
• d.The clerk was eager to help.

Sighing, watching the clock, and giving clipped answers are clues to the clerk's mood. Together they imply the clerk was impatient.

Read the passage: 'Recycling reduces waste in landfills, conserves natural resources, and saves energy.' What is the primary purpose?

• a.To criticize recycling
• b.To tell a personal story
• c.To sell recycling bins
• d.To inform about benefits✓

The passage lists factual benefits of recycling without persuasion or narrative. Its primary purpose is to inform readers about those benefits.

Read the passage: 'The hallway stretched on endlessly, its flickering lights casting long shadows on the silent, empty walls.' What is the tone?

• a.Businesslike
• b.Eerie✓
• c.Joyful
• d.Romantic

Tone comes from descriptive word choices. Flickering lights, long shadows, and silence create an eerie, unsettling tone.

Read the passage: 'Vaccines train the immune system to recognize harmful germs. As a result, the body can fight infection more quickly if exposed later.' What relationship is shown?

• a.Order of importance
• b.Compare and contrast
• c.Spatial order
• d.Cause and effect✓

The phrase 'as a result' signals a cause and effect relationship. Vaccines training the immune system is the cause, and faster infection fighting is the effect.

Read the passage: 'Ella packed her bags days early, checked her passport twice, and set three alarms.' What can you infer about Ella?

• a.She dreaded the trip.
• b.She was disorganized.
• c.She missed her flight.
• d.She was careful and prepared.✓

Packing early, double-checking documents, and setting multiple alarms are clues to Ella's habits. They imply she was careful and well prepared.

The biopsy showed that the growth was benign. Which word best replaces 'benign'?

• a.Cancerous
• b.Contagious
• c.Painful
• d.Harmless✓

In medicine, benign describes a growth or condition that is not dangerous and does not spread. It is the opposite of malignant, which refers to cancerous tissue.

The patient appeared lethargic during the assessment. Which word best replaces 'lethargic'?

• a.Talkative
• b.Agitated
• c.Drowsy✓
• d.Energetic

Lethargic means lacking energy and appearing sluggish or drowsy. A lethargic patient moves and responds slowly.

She was treated for a chronic condition. Which word best replaces 'chronic'?

• a.Transient
• b.Reversible
• c.Localized
• d.Persistent✓

Chronic describes a condition that lasts a long time or recurs frequently. It contrasts with acute, which means sudden and short-lived.

He was admitted with an acute illness. Which word best replaces 'acute'?

• a.Painless
• b.Sudden✓
• c.Imagined
• d.Lingering

An acute illness comes on suddenly and is often severe but short in duration. This is the opposite of a chronic condition.

The nurse will palpate the abdomen. Which word best replaces 'palpate'?

• a.Photograph
• b.Feel✓
• c.Remove
• d.Numb

Palpate means to examine part of the body by feeling it with the hands or fingers. Nurses palpate to assess texture, size, or tenderness.

The chart noted edema in both ankles. Which word best replaces 'edema'?

• a.Fever
• b.Fracture
• c.Rash
• d.Swelling✓

Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in body tissues. It often appears in the legs, ankles, or feet.

The illness is highly contagious. Which word best replaces 'contagious'?

• a.Harmless
• b.Infectious✓
• c.Incurable
• d.Chronic

Contagious means an illness can be spread from one person to another, often by contact. Many infections caused by viruses are contagious.

In dim light the pupils dilate. Which word best replaces 'dilate'?

• a.Widen✓
• b.Shatter
• c.Close
• d.Harden

Dilate means to become wider or larger. For example, pupils dilate in dim light to let in more light.

Surgery requires a sterile field. Which word best replaces 'sterile'?

• a.Frozen
• b.Crowded
• c.Contaminated
• d.Germ-free✓

Sterile means completely free from living microorganisms such as bacteria. Sterile conditions are essential during surgery to prevent infection.

Patients must abstain from food before the test. Which word best replaces 'abstain'?

• a.Refrain✓
• b.Demand
• c.Depend
• d.Enjoy

To abstain is to choose not to do or consume something. For example, a patient may abstain from food before a blood test.

The surgeon closed the incision. Which word best replaces 'incision'?

• a.Cut✓
• b.Medication
• c.Bandage
• d.Organ

An incision is a cut made into body tissue, usually during surgery. Surgeons make an incision to reach the area they need to treat.

The medication may cause nausea. Which word best replaces 'nausea'?

• a.Lightheadedness
• b.Soreness
• c.Queasiness✓
• d.Rash

Nausea is the uncomfortable sensation of feeling sick to the stomach, often with the urge to vomit. It can be caused by illness, motion, or medication.

The patient agreed to comply with the treatment plan. Which word best replaces 'comply'?

• a.Ignore
• b.Obey✓
• c.Rewrite
• d.Question

To comply is to act in accordance with a rule or request. A patient who complies follows the treatment plan as directed.

This is a potent medication. Which word best replaces 'potent'?

• a.Weak
• b.Colorful
• c.Powerful✓
• d.Costly

Potent describes something that has a strong or powerful effect. A potent medication produces a strong result even in small doses.

Fatigue was her first symptom. Which word best replaces 'symptom'?

• a.Sign✓
• b.Physician
• c.Instrument
• d.Cure

A symptom is evidence of a disease or disorder that the patient feels or notices, such as pain or fatigue. Symptoms help identify what may be wrong.

Smoking can exacerbate a respiratory illness. Which word best replaces 'exacerbate'?

• a.Diagnose
• b.Worsen✓
• c.Cure
• d.Overlook

Exacerbate means to make a problem or condition more severe. For example, smoking can exacerbate a respiratory illness.

A patient who is well hydrated has:

• a.Enough body fluid✓
• b.A high temperature
• c.An active infection
• d.Low body weight

Hydrated means having enough fluid in the body to function properly. Staying hydrated is important for health, especially in hot weather.

The dressing was transparent. Which word best replaces 'transparent'?

• a.Loud
• b.Heavy
• c.Toxic
• d.Clear✓

Transparent means clear enough that light passes through and objects behind it can be seen. Glass and clean water are transparent.

The nurse will monitor his vital signs. Which word best replaces 'monitor'?

• a.Feed
• b.Transport
• c.Observe✓
• d.Discharge

To monitor is to observe and check something regularly over a period of time. Nurses monitor vital signs to track a patient's condition.

The patient reported severe fatigue. Which word best replaces 'fatigue'?

• a.Restlessness
• b.Hunger
• c.Confusion
• d.Exhaustion✓

Fatigue is a state of extreme tiredness or exhaustion. It can result from illness, overwork, or lack of sleep.

The physician discussed the prognosis. Which word best replaces 'prognosis'?

• a.Prescription
• b.Forecast✓
• c.Department
• d.Instrument

A prognosis is a medical prediction about how a disease will develop and the chance of recovery. It differs from a diagnosis, which identifies the condition.

The kidneys excrete waste. Which word best replaces 'excrete'?

• a.Eliminate✓
• b.Synthesize
• c.Circulate
• d.Neutralize

To excrete is to remove waste products from the body. The kidneys, for example, excrete waste through urine.

The tissue around the wound was inflamed. Which word best replaces 'inflamed'?

• a.Numb
• b.Swollen✓
• c.Pale
• d.Unaffected

Inflamed tissue is red, warm, swollen, and often painful as part of the body's response to injury or infection. Inflammation is a natural defense reaction.

Medication was given to alleviate the pain. Which word best replaces 'alleviate'?

• a.Cause
• b.Measure
• c.Relieve✓
• d.Intensify

Alleviate means to make something less severe or more bearable. Pain medication is given to alleviate a patient's discomfort.

Choose the correct sentence.

• a.The nurse and the doctor is both present.
• b.The nurse and the doctor were both present.✓
• c.The nurse and the doctor be both present.
• d.The nurse and the doctor was both present.

A compound subject joined by 'and' is plural and takes a plural verb. 'The nurse and the doctor' requires 'were,' not 'was.'

Select the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

• a.Each of the students have lockers.
• b.Each of the student have a locker.
• c.Each of the students has a locker.✓
• d.Each of the students have a locker.

The subject 'each' is singular, even when followed by a plural prepositional phrase. It therefore takes the singular verb 'has.'

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

• a.The patients chart is on the desk.
• b.The patient's chart is on the desk.✓
• c.The patients' chart's are ready.
• d.The patients chart's is ready.

A singular possessive is formed by adding an apostrophe plus s. 'The patient's chart' correctly shows that the chart belongs to one patient.

Choose the sentence with correct comma usage.

• a.Before the exam, we reviewed our notes carefully.✓
• b.Before the exam we reviewed, our notes carefully.
• c.Before, the exam we reviewed our notes carefully.
• d.Before the exam we reviewed our notes carefully.

An introductory phrase should be followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause. The comma correctly follows 'Before the exam.'

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The medication had a strong effect on ___ recovery.'

• a.they're
• b.there
• c.their✓
• d.they

The possessive pronoun 'their' shows ownership of the recovery. 'There' refers to place and 'they're' means 'they are,' so neither fits.

Choose the correct verb tense: 'Yesterday, the nurse ___ the patient's blood pressure.'

• a.checking
• b.will check
• c.checked✓
• d.checks

The word 'yesterday' signals a completed past action, which calls for the simple past tense. 'Checked' is the correct past-tense form.

Which sentence is free of errors?

• a.I and him studied together.
• b.Him and me studied together.
• c.He and I studied together.✓
• d.Me and him studied together.

Subjects of a sentence require subject pronouns. 'He and I' are both subject pronouns and are correct, while 'me' and 'him' are object forms.

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• a.We need the following supplies gloves, masks, and gowns.
• b.We need the following supplies; gloves, masks, and gowns.
• c.We need the following supplies: gloves, masks, and gowns.✓
• d.We need the following supplies: gloves masks and gowns.

A colon introduces a list after a complete sentence, and commas separate the items. The first option uses both correctly.

Choose the word that completes the sentence: 'She performed ___ than her classmate on the test.'

• a.good
• b.better✓
• c.best
• d.more good

When comparing two people, use the comparative form. 'Better' is the correct comparative of 'good,' while 'best' is used for three or more.

Which sentence uses 'its' and 'it's' correctly?

• a.Its raining, so bring its umbrella.
• b.It's raining, so bring it's umbrella.
• c.Its raining, so bring it's umbrella.
• d.It's raining, so bring its umbrella.✓

'It's' is a contraction of 'it is,' and 'its' is the possessive pronoun. The sentence correctly uses 'It's raining' and 'its umbrella.'

Identify the correctly written sentence.

• a.Neither the doctor nor the nurses am available.
• b.Neither the doctor nor the nurses is available.
• c.Neither the doctor nor the nurses be available.
• d.Neither the doctor nor the nurses are available.✓

In 'neither/nor' constructions, the verb agrees with the nearer subject. Because 'nurses' is plural, the verb should be 'are.'

Choose the sentence with correct capitalization.

• a.We visited the Pacific Ocean in july.
• b.We visited the Pacific Ocean in July.✓
• c.We visited the pacific ocean in July.
• d.we visited the pacific ocean in july.

Proper nouns and the names of months are capitalized. 'Pacific Ocean' and 'July' both require capital letters.

Which sentence avoids a double negative?

• a.I never saw nothing.
• b.I don't want no help.
• c.I didn't see anything.✓
• d.I didn't see nothing.

Standard English uses only one negative to express a negative idea. 'I didn't see anything' is correct, while the others combine two negatives.

Select the sentence with the correct pronoun.

• a.The gift was given to my sister and me.✓
• b.The gift was given to I and my sister.
• c.The gift was given to my sister and myself.
• d.The gift was given to my sister and I.

After a preposition like 'to,' use the object pronoun 'me.' 'To my sister and me' is correct because both are objects of the preposition.

Choose the correctly spelled word to complete: 'The patient needs to ___ the form before surgery.'

• a.receeve
• b.receive✓
• c.recieve
• d.receve

The word follows the spelling rule 'i before e except after c.' Because it follows a c, the correct spelling is 'receive.'

Which sentence is a complete sentence, not a fragment?

• a.Running quickly down the long hallway.
• b.After the shift ended late.
• c.Because the alarm sounded loudly.
• d.The nurse answered the call.✓

A complete sentence needs a subject and a verb and expresses a full thought. 'The nurse answered the call' has both, while the others are fragments.

Choose the correct homophone: 'Please place the chart over ___.'

• a.theyre
• b.there✓
• c.they're
• d.their

'There' refers to a place or location, which fits this sentence. 'Their' is possessive and 'they're' means 'they are.'

Select the sentence that corrects the run-on: 'The test was hard I still passed.'

• a.The test was hard I still passed.
• b.The test was hard I, still passed.
• c.The test was hard, I still passed.
• d.The test was hard; I still passed.✓

Two independent clauses can be joined by a semicolon. 'The test was hard; I still passed' correctly fixes the run-on, while a comma alone would create a comma splice.

Which sentence uses an adverb correctly?

• a.The nurse spoke quiet and calm words loud.
• b.The nurse spoke quietness to the patient.
• c.The nurse spoke quietly to the patient.✓
• d.The nurse spoke quiet to the patient.

An adverb modifies a verb and often ends in -ly. 'Quietly' correctly describes how the nurse spoke, while 'quiet' is an adjective.

Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure.

• a.She likes read, write, and to jog.
• b.She likes reading, to write, and jogging.
• c.She likes to read, writing, and to jog.
• d.She likes reading, writing, and jogging.✓

Parallel structure requires items in a list to share the same grammatical form. All three items appear as -ing gerunds: reading, writing, and jogging.