HESI A2 READING
COMPREHENSION
EXAM PREP GUIDE 2025-2026
Comprehensive Test Bank with Passages, Questions & Rationales
Exams of Nursing | Assured A+ | Final Pass Secured
Domains: Main Idea, Supporting Details, Inference, Vocabulary in Context,
Tone & Mood, Text Structure, Fact vs Opinion, Logical Reasoning & Sequence,
Point of View, Rhetorical Devices, Health Science Passages, Test-Taking Strategies
50 Questions | 10 Passages | Timed Practice Simulations
,Examination Score Record
Student Name
Date of Examination
Total Score _____ / 50 ( _____ % )
Performance Grade _____ ( A+ A B C D F )
Instructions: Read each passage carefully, then answer the questions that follow. Select the
single best answer. All correct answers are displayed in bold cyan with rationales. Timed
practice: 60 minutes for 50 questions (1.2 min/question).
Passage 1: Patient Education – Diabetes Self-Management
Domain: Health Science – Chronic Disease Management / Patient Education / Main Idea & Supporting
Details
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose
levels resulting from impaired insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. Type 1 diabetes
accounts for approximately 5–10% of all diabetes cases and typically manifests in childhood or
adolescence, though adult-onset cases are increasingly recognized. In Type 1 diabetes, the
body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas,
rendering the individual dependent on exogenous insulin administration for survival.
Type 2 diabetes is far more prevalent, comprising roughly 90–95% of diagnosed cases. It
is strongly associated with modifiable risk factors including obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and poor
dietary habits. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 diabetes develops gradually, and many individuals may
remain undiagnosed for years because early symptoms—such as increased thirst, frequent
urination, and fatigue—are often attributed to other causes. The American Diabetes Association
recommends screening for adults aged 35 and older, or earlier for individuals with risk factors
,such as a family history of diabetes, gestational diabetes, or a body mass index (BMI) exceeding
25.
Effective diabetes self-management encompasses several critical components. Blood
glucose monitoring enables patients to track glycemic patterns and adjust dietary choices,
physical activity, and medication timing accordingly. The hemoglobin A1C test provides a three-
month average of blood glucose levels and serves as a key benchmark for treatment efficacy; the
target for most nonpregnant adults is below 7%. Patients should also perform daily foot
inspections to detect cuts, blisters, or signs of infection early, as diabetes-related neuropathy can
diminish sensation and delay wound healing. Hypoglycemia, defined as blood glucose below 70
mg/dL, requires immediate intervention with 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as four
ounces of juice or glucose tablets, followed by rechecking blood glucose after 15 minutes. Sick
day rules mandate continued insulin administration even when appetite is reduced, as illness can
paradoxically increase blood glucose levels due to stress-induced counterregulatory hormone
release.
Q1. [Main Idea] What is the primary purpose of this passage?
A. To argue that Type 2 diabetes is more dangerous than Type 1 diabetes
B. To provide a comprehensive overview of diabetes self-management, screening,
and emergency response for patients and caregivers
C. To criticize healthcare providers for inadequate diabetes education
D. To compare the economic costs of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes treatment
Rationale: The passage systematically covers diabetes types, screening
recommendations, self-management components (glucose monitoring, A1C targets, foot
care), and hypoglycemia protocols. Its purpose is informative and educational, not
argumentative or critical.
Q2. [Supporting Detail] According to the passage, at what blood glucose level should a patient
intervene for hypoglycemia?
A. Below 90 mg/dL
B. Below 80 mg/dL
, C. Below 70 mg/dL
D. Below 60 mg/dL
Rationale: The passage explicitly states: 'Hypoglycemia, defined as blood glucose below
70 mg/dL, requires immediate intervention.' This is a directly stated factual detail; no
inference is required.
Q3. [Inference] The author implies that many Type 2 diabetes cases remain undiagnosed
because:
A. Doctors are not adequately trained to recognize diabetes symptoms
B. The early symptoms are nonspecific and easily attributed to other common
conditions
C. Patients actively avoid medical screening due to fear of diagnosis
D. Type 2 diabetes does not produce any noticeable symptoms until advanced stages
Rationale: The passage states early symptoms 'are often attributed to other causes,'
implying the symptoms exist but are vague enough to be dismissed. Option A is
unsupported; Option C is speculative; Option D contradicts the passage, which lists
specific early symptoms.
Q4. [Vocabulary in Context] As used in the passage, the word 'exogenous' most nearly means:
A. Produced within the body
B. Originating from outside the body
C. Related to genetic inheritance
D. Synthetic and chemically engineered
Rationale: 'Exogenous' derives from the Greek prefix 'exo-' (outer/external) and means
originating from outside the organism. In context, 'exogenous insulin' refers to insulin
administered from an external source, since the body no longer produces its own.
Q5. [Tone/Mood] Which word best describes the author's tone in this passage?
A. Alarmed and urgent
B. Objective and informative
C. Sympathetic and emotional
COMPREHENSION
EXAM PREP GUIDE 2025-2026
Comprehensive Test Bank with Passages, Questions & Rationales
Exams of Nursing | Assured A+ | Final Pass Secured
Domains: Main Idea, Supporting Details, Inference, Vocabulary in Context,
Tone & Mood, Text Structure, Fact vs Opinion, Logical Reasoning & Sequence,
Point of View, Rhetorical Devices, Health Science Passages, Test-Taking Strategies
50 Questions | 10 Passages | Timed Practice Simulations
,Examination Score Record
Student Name
Date of Examination
Total Score _____ / 50 ( _____ % )
Performance Grade _____ ( A+ A B C D F )
Instructions: Read each passage carefully, then answer the questions that follow. Select the
single best answer. All correct answers are displayed in bold cyan with rationales. Timed
practice: 60 minutes for 50 questions (1.2 min/question).
Passage 1: Patient Education – Diabetes Self-Management
Domain: Health Science – Chronic Disease Management / Patient Education / Main Idea & Supporting
Details
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose
levels resulting from impaired insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. Type 1 diabetes
accounts for approximately 5–10% of all diabetes cases and typically manifests in childhood or
adolescence, though adult-onset cases are increasingly recognized. In Type 1 diabetes, the
body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas,
rendering the individual dependent on exogenous insulin administration for survival.
Type 2 diabetes is far more prevalent, comprising roughly 90–95% of diagnosed cases. It
is strongly associated with modifiable risk factors including obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and poor
dietary habits. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 diabetes develops gradually, and many individuals may
remain undiagnosed for years because early symptoms—such as increased thirst, frequent
urination, and fatigue—are often attributed to other causes. The American Diabetes Association
recommends screening for adults aged 35 and older, or earlier for individuals with risk factors
,such as a family history of diabetes, gestational diabetes, or a body mass index (BMI) exceeding
25.
Effective diabetes self-management encompasses several critical components. Blood
glucose monitoring enables patients to track glycemic patterns and adjust dietary choices,
physical activity, and medication timing accordingly. The hemoglobin A1C test provides a three-
month average of blood glucose levels and serves as a key benchmark for treatment efficacy; the
target for most nonpregnant adults is below 7%. Patients should also perform daily foot
inspections to detect cuts, blisters, or signs of infection early, as diabetes-related neuropathy can
diminish sensation and delay wound healing. Hypoglycemia, defined as blood glucose below 70
mg/dL, requires immediate intervention with 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as four
ounces of juice or glucose tablets, followed by rechecking blood glucose after 15 minutes. Sick
day rules mandate continued insulin administration even when appetite is reduced, as illness can
paradoxically increase blood glucose levels due to stress-induced counterregulatory hormone
release.
Q1. [Main Idea] What is the primary purpose of this passage?
A. To argue that Type 2 diabetes is more dangerous than Type 1 diabetes
B. To provide a comprehensive overview of diabetes self-management, screening,
and emergency response for patients and caregivers
C. To criticize healthcare providers for inadequate diabetes education
D. To compare the economic costs of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes treatment
Rationale: The passage systematically covers diabetes types, screening
recommendations, self-management components (glucose monitoring, A1C targets, foot
care), and hypoglycemia protocols. Its purpose is informative and educational, not
argumentative or critical.
Q2. [Supporting Detail] According to the passage, at what blood glucose level should a patient
intervene for hypoglycemia?
A. Below 90 mg/dL
B. Below 80 mg/dL
, C. Below 70 mg/dL
D. Below 60 mg/dL
Rationale: The passage explicitly states: 'Hypoglycemia, defined as blood glucose below
70 mg/dL, requires immediate intervention.' This is a directly stated factual detail; no
inference is required.
Q3. [Inference] The author implies that many Type 2 diabetes cases remain undiagnosed
because:
A. Doctors are not adequately trained to recognize diabetes symptoms
B. The early symptoms are nonspecific and easily attributed to other common
conditions
C. Patients actively avoid medical screening due to fear of diagnosis
D. Type 2 diabetes does not produce any noticeable symptoms until advanced stages
Rationale: The passage states early symptoms 'are often attributed to other causes,'
implying the symptoms exist but are vague enough to be dismissed. Option A is
unsupported; Option C is speculative; Option D contradicts the passage, which lists
specific early symptoms.
Q4. [Vocabulary in Context] As used in the passage, the word 'exogenous' most nearly means:
A. Produced within the body
B. Originating from outside the body
C. Related to genetic inheritance
D. Synthetic and chemically engineered
Rationale: 'Exogenous' derives from the Greek prefix 'exo-' (outer/external) and means
originating from outside the organism. In context, 'exogenous insulin' refers to insulin
administered from an external source, since the body no longer produces its own.
Q5. [Tone/Mood] Which word best describes the author's tone in this passage?
A. Alarmed and urgent
B. Objective and informative
C. Sympathetic and emotional
