1
HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam Actual
Exam 2026/2027 | Comprehensive 350-
Question Test Bank with Detailed Rationales
| Nursing Entrance Exam Prep | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: READING COMPREHENSION (Questions 1-50)
Passage 1: The Cardiovascular System (Questions 1-5)
"The human heart is a muscular organ roughly the size of a fist, weighing approximately 300
grams in adults. It is divided into four chambers: the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and
left ventricle. The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the
superior and inferior vena cava and pumps it to the lungs via the pulmonary artery for
oxygenation. The left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the pulmonary
veins and pumps it to the entire body via the aorta. The heart's pumping action is controlled by
an electrical conduction system that coordinates contractions. This system includes the sinoatrial
(SA) node, which acts as the natural pacemaker, the atrioventricular (AV) node, and specialized
conduction fibers. Common disorders affecting the heart include coronary artery disease, which
involves narrowing of the coronary arteries; heart failure, where the heart cannot pump
effectively; and arrhythmias, which are irregular heart rhythms that can range from benign to
life-threatening."
Q1: What is the main idea of this passage?
A. The heart weighs approximately 300 grams in adults
B. The electrical conduction system controls heart contractions
C. The heart's structure, function, and common disorders. [CORRECT]
D. Blood flows from the body to the lungs and back
Correct Answer: C Rationale: The passage comprehensively covers the heart's structure (four
chambers, major vessels), function (pumping oxygenated and deoxygenated blood), and common
disorders (coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias). While options A, B, and D are
mentioned as supporting details, only option C encompasses all major aspects discussed in the
passage.
,2
Q2: According to the passage, which vessel carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart?
A. Aorta
B. Pulmonary veins
C. Pulmonary artery. [CORRECT]
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: C Rationale: The passage explicitly states that "the right side of the heart
pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery." While the superior vena cava
(D) carries deoxygenated blood to the heart, the pulmonary artery is the only vessel listed that
carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart to the lungs. The aorta (A) carries oxygenated
blood, and pulmonary veins (B) carry oxygenated blood back to the heart.
Q3: What can be inferred about the sinoatrial (SA) node based on the passage?
A. It is located in the left ventricle
B. It initiates the electrical impulses that trigger heart contractions. [CORRECT]
C. It receives blood from the pulmonary veins
D. It is primarily affected by coronary artery disease
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The passage describes the SA node as acting as the "natural
pacemaker." By definition, a pacemaker initiates electrical impulses. Since the passage states that
the electrical conduction system "coordinates contractions," it logically follows that the SA node,
as the pacemaker, initiates these impulses. The passage does not mention its specific location
beyond being part of the conduction system, nor does it suggest it receives blood or is affected
by coronary artery disease.
Q4: The author's purpose in mentioning specific heart disorders is to:
A. Criticize modern healthcare's approach to heart disease
B. Provide examples of how heart structure relates to function and pathology. [CORRECT]
C. Suggest that heart disease is unavoidable
D. Compare the effectiveness of different treatments
,3
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The author introduces coronary artery disease, heart failure, and
arrhythmias after explaining normal heart structure and function. This organizational pattern
suggests the purpose is to illustrate how deviations from normal structure and function result in
pathology. The passage does not criticize healthcare (A), suggest inevitability of disease (C), or
discuss treatments (D).
Q5: In the context of this passage, "benign" in reference to arrhythmias most nearly means:
A. Harmless or not life-threatening. [CORRECT]
B. Cancerous
C. Progressive and worsening
D. Requiring immediate surgery
Correct Answer: A Rationale: The passage states that arrhythmias "can range from benign to
life-threatening," establishing a contrast between benign and serious/life-threatening conditions.
In medical contexts, "benign" typically means not harmful or not cancerous. Since arrhythmias
are electrical disturbances rather than tumors, "harmless or not life-threatening" is the
appropriate interpretation. The contrast with "life-threatening" confirms this meaning.
Passage 2: Infection Control in Healthcare (Questions 6-10)
"Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a significant challenge in modern medical
facilities, affecting approximately 1 in 31 hospitalized patients in the United States. These
infections, which patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions,
can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and substantial morbidity and
mortality. The most common HAIs include catheter-associated urinary tract infections, surgical
site infections, bloodstream infections associated with central lines, and ventilator-associated
pneumonia.
Effective infection control relies on multiple strategies working in concert. Hand hygiene
remains the single most important preventive measure, with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommending alcohol-based hand rubs or soap and water depending on the clinical
situation. Environmental cleaning and disinfection of patient care areas and equipment play
crucial roles in interrupting transmission pathways. Additionally, antimicrobial stewardship
programs aim to optimize antibiotic use to reduce the development of resistant organisms.
Despite these interventions, the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms such as methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
continues to pose significant threats to patient safety."
, 4
Q6: What is the primary purpose of this passage?
A. To criticize hospital cleaning procedures
B. To explain the causes, impact, and prevention of healthcare-associated infections.
[CORRECT]
C. To promote specific antibiotic brands
D. To argue for shorter hospital stays
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The passage systematically addresses: (1) what HAIs are and
their prevalence, (2) their impact on patients and healthcare systems, (3) specific types of HAIs,
and (4) multiple prevention strategies including hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and
antimicrobial stewardship. This comprehensive coverage indicates the purpose is explanatory
rather than critical (A), promotional (C), or argumentative regarding hospital stays (D).
Q7: According to the passage, which factor contributes to the ongoing challenge of HAIs despite
preventive measures?
A. Lack of hand hygiene protocols
B. The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms. [CORRECT]
C. Insufficient hospital staff
D. Patient refusal of treatment
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The final sentence explicitly states: "Despite these interventions,
the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) continues to pose
significant threats to patient safety." This directly identifies multidrug-resistant organisms as the
ongoing challenge. The passage does not mention insufficient staff (C) or patient refusal (D), and
it presents hand hygiene as well-established rather than lacking (A).
Q8: The passage suggests that antimicrobial stewardship programs primarily aim to:
A. Eliminate all bacteria from hospital environments
B. Optimize antibiotic use to reduce resistant organisms. [CORRECT]
C. Train nurses in proper hand hygiene techniques
D. Develop new surgical techniques
HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam Actual
Exam 2026/2027 | Comprehensive 350-
Question Test Bank with Detailed Rationales
| Nursing Entrance Exam Prep | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: READING COMPREHENSION (Questions 1-50)
Passage 1: The Cardiovascular System (Questions 1-5)
"The human heart is a muscular organ roughly the size of a fist, weighing approximately 300
grams in adults. It is divided into four chambers: the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and
left ventricle. The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the
superior and inferior vena cava and pumps it to the lungs via the pulmonary artery for
oxygenation. The left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the pulmonary
veins and pumps it to the entire body via the aorta. The heart's pumping action is controlled by
an electrical conduction system that coordinates contractions. This system includes the sinoatrial
(SA) node, which acts as the natural pacemaker, the atrioventricular (AV) node, and specialized
conduction fibers. Common disorders affecting the heart include coronary artery disease, which
involves narrowing of the coronary arteries; heart failure, where the heart cannot pump
effectively; and arrhythmias, which are irregular heart rhythms that can range from benign to
life-threatening."
Q1: What is the main idea of this passage?
A. The heart weighs approximately 300 grams in adults
B. The electrical conduction system controls heart contractions
C. The heart's structure, function, and common disorders. [CORRECT]
D. Blood flows from the body to the lungs and back
Correct Answer: C Rationale: The passage comprehensively covers the heart's structure (four
chambers, major vessels), function (pumping oxygenated and deoxygenated blood), and common
disorders (coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias). While options A, B, and D are
mentioned as supporting details, only option C encompasses all major aspects discussed in the
passage.
,2
Q2: According to the passage, which vessel carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart?
A. Aorta
B. Pulmonary veins
C. Pulmonary artery. [CORRECT]
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: C Rationale: The passage explicitly states that "the right side of the heart
pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery." While the superior vena cava
(D) carries deoxygenated blood to the heart, the pulmonary artery is the only vessel listed that
carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart to the lungs. The aorta (A) carries oxygenated
blood, and pulmonary veins (B) carry oxygenated blood back to the heart.
Q3: What can be inferred about the sinoatrial (SA) node based on the passage?
A. It is located in the left ventricle
B. It initiates the electrical impulses that trigger heart contractions. [CORRECT]
C. It receives blood from the pulmonary veins
D. It is primarily affected by coronary artery disease
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The passage describes the SA node as acting as the "natural
pacemaker." By definition, a pacemaker initiates electrical impulses. Since the passage states that
the electrical conduction system "coordinates contractions," it logically follows that the SA node,
as the pacemaker, initiates these impulses. The passage does not mention its specific location
beyond being part of the conduction system, nor does it suggest it receives blood or is affected
by coronary artery disease.
Q4: The author's purpose in mentioning specific heart disorders is to:
A. Criticize modern healthcare's approach to heart disease
B. Provide examples of how heart structure relates to function and pathology. [CORRECT]
C. Suggest that heart disease is unavoidable
D. Compare the effectiveness of different treatments
,3
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The author introduces coronary artery disease, heart failure, and
arrhythmias after explaining normal heart structure and function. This organizational pattern
suggests the purpose is to illustrate how deviations from normal structure and function result in
pathology. The passage does not criticize healthcare (A), suggest inevitability of disease (C), or
discuss treatments (D).
Q5: In the context of this passage, "benign" in reference to arrhythmias most nearly means:
A. Harmless or not life-threatening. [CORRECT]
B. Cancerous
C. Progressive and worsening
D. Requiring immediate surgery
Correct Answer: A Rationale: The passage states that arrhythmias "can range from benign to
life-threatening," establishing a contrast between benign and serious/life-threatening conditions.
In medical contexts, "benign" typically means not harmful or not cancerous. Since arrhythmias
are electrical disturbances rather than tumors, "harmless or not life-threatening" is the
appropriate interpretation. The contrast with "life-threatening" confirms this meaning.
Passage 2: Infection Control in Healthcare (Questions 6-10)
"Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a significant challenge in modern medical
facilities, affecting approximately 1 in 31 hospitalized patients in the United States. These
infections, which patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions,
can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and substantial morbidity and
mortality. The most common HAIs include catheter-associated urinary tract infections, surgical
site infections, bloodstream infections associated with central lines, and ventilator-associated
pneumonia.
Effective infection control relies on multiple strategies working in concert. Hand hygiene
remains the single most important preventive measure, with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommending alcohol-based hand rubs or soap and water depending on the clinical
situation. Environmental cleaning and disinfection of patient care areas and equipment play
crucial roles in interrupting transmission pathways. Additionally, antimicrobial stewardship
programs aim to optimize antibiotic use to reduce the development of resistant organisms.
Despite these interventions, the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms such as methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
continues to pose significant threats to patient safety."
, 4
Q6: What is the primary purpose of this passage?
A. To criticize hospital cleaning procedures
B. To explain the causes, impact, and prevention of healthcare-associated infections.
[CORRECT]
C. To promote specific antibiotic brands
D. To argue for shorter hospital stays
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The passage systematically addresses: (1) what HAIs are and
their prevalence, (2) their impact on patients and healthcare systems, (3) specific types of HAIs,
and (4) multiple prevention strategies including hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and
antimicrobial stewardship. This comprehensive coverage indicates the purpose is explanatory
rather than critical (A), promotional (C), or argumentative regarding hospital stays (D).
Q7: According to the passage, which factor contributes to the ongoing challenge of HAIs despite
preventive measures?
A. Lack of hand hygiene protocols
B. The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms. [CORRECT]
C. Insufficient hospital staff
D. Patient refusal of treatment
Correct Answer: B Rationale: The final sentence explicitly states: "Despite these interventions,
the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) continues to pose
significant threats to patient safety." This directly identifies multidrug-resistant organisms as the
ongoing challenge. The passage does not mention insufficient staff (C) or patient refusal (D), and
it presents hand hygiene as well-established rather than lacking (A).
Q8: The passage suggests that antimicrobial stewardship programs primarily aim to:
A. Eliminate all bacteria from hospital environments
B. Optimize antibiotic use to reduce resistant organisms. [CORRECT]
C. Train nurses in proper hand hygiene techniques
D. Develop new surgical techniques
