1
HESI A2 Entrance Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: Mathematics — Questions 1-25]
Q1: A patient is ordered to take 500 mg of a medication. The pharmacy supplies the medication
in liquid form with a concentration of 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should the patient
take?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 10 mL [CORRECT]
D. 2.5 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To solve this dosage calculation problem, use the formula: (Desired Dose / Have on
Hand) × Vehicle. Here, the desired dose is 500 mg, the have on hand is 250 mg, and the vehicle
is 5 mL. The calculation is (500 mg / 250 mg) × 5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL. This skill is essential
for nursing to ensure patient safety and accurate medication administration.
Q2: Convert 0.75 to a fraction in simplest form.
A. 3/4
B. 3/4 [CORRECT]
C. 75/100
D. 1/2
Correct Answer: B
,2
Rationale: To convert a decimal to a fraction, place the decimal over its place value (0.75 is
75/100). Then, simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their
greatest common divisor, which is 25. This results in 3/4. Understanding conversions between
decimals and fractions is critical for dosage calculations and interpreting lab values.
Q3: Solve for x: 3x + 5 = 20
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5 [CORRECT]
D. 6
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To solve the equation, first isolate the term with x by subtracting 5 from both sides: 3x
= 15. Then, divide both sides by 3 to solve for x: x = 5. Algebra is used frequently in nursing to
calculate drip rates, titration dosages, and unknown variables in patient care scenarios. Option A
results from subtraction errors, Option B from division errors, and Option D from addition
errors.
Q4: What is 15% of 200?
A. 20
B. 25
C. 30 [CORRECT]
D. 35
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To find the percentage of a number, convert the percentage to a decimal (15% = 0.15)
and multiply by the number: 0.15 × 200 = 30. This calculation is necessary for determining fluid
restrictions, calculating weight loss percentages, or understanding lab value ranges. Option A is
10%, and Option B is 12.5%.
,3
Q5: If a patient weighs 165 pounds, what is their weight in kilograms? (Round to the nearest
tenth).
A. 73.0 kg
B. 74.0 kg
C. 75.0 kg [CORRECT]
D. 75.5 kg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The conversion factor is 1 kg = 2.2 lbs. To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the
weight in pounds by 2.2: .2 = 75 kg. Accurate weight conversion is crucial for medication
dosages which are often calculated on a per-kilogram basis. Option A uses 2.26 as a divisor, and
Option D results from a multiplication error.
Q6: Multiply: 2/3 × 4/5
A. 6/15
B. 8/15
C. 8/15 [CORRECT]
D. 1/2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators together and the denominators
together: (2 × 4) / (3 × 5) = 8/15. Since 8 and 15 have no common factors other than 1, the
fraction is already in simplest form. This skill is used when calculating fractional doses or
combining nutritional components. Option A represents a multiplication of the denominators
only.
Q7: Solve the proportion: 5/x = 10/20
A. 2
B. 5
C. 10 [CORRECT]
, 4
D. 15
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To solve the proportion, cross-multiply: 5 × 20 = 10 × x, which simplifies to 100 =
10x. Dividing both sides by 10 gives x = 10. Proportions are frequently used in nursing to
calculate dosages, solve for unknown quantities in drip rates, and determine scale. Option A
results from dividing incorrectly.
Q8: A nurse works a 12-hour shift. If she spends 1/4 of her time documenting and 1/3 of her time
in direct patient care, how many hours does she spend on these two tasks combined?
A. 5 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 7 hours [CORRECT]
D. 8 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: First, find the total fraction of time spent: 1/4 + 1/3 = 3/12 + 4/12 = 7/12. Then,
calculate 7/12 of the 12-hour shift: (7/12) × 12 = 7 hours. This type of word problem tests time
management and the ability to apply fractions to real-world scheduling. Options A and B
underestimate the combined time.
Q9: Evaluate: 5 + 3 × (6 - 2)
A. 17
B. 32
C. 17 [CORRECT]
D. 20
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Following the order of operations (PEMDAS), solve the parentheses first: (6 - 2) = 4.
Then perform multiplication: 3 × 4 = 12. Finally, perform addition: 5 + 12 = 17. Adhering to the
HESI A2 Entrance Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: Mathematics — Questions 1-25]
Q1: A patient is ordered to take 500 mg of a medication. The pharmacy supplies the medication
in liquid form with a concentration of 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should the patient
take?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 10 mL [CORRECT]
D. 2.5 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To solve this dosage calculation problem, use the formula: (Desired Dose / Have on
Hand) × Vehicle. Here, the desired dose is 500 mg, the have on hand is 250 mg, and the vehicle
is 5 mL. The calculation is (500 mg / 250 mg) × 5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL. This skill is essential
for nursing to ensure patient safety and accurate medication administration.
Q2: Convert 0.75 to a fraction in simplest form.
A. 3/4
B. 3/4 [CORRECT]
C. 75/100
D. 1/2
Correct Answer: B
,2
Rationale: To convert a decimal to a fraction, place the decimal over its place value (0.75 is
75/100). Then, simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their
greatest common divisor, which is 25. This results in 3/4. Understanding conversions between
decimals and fractions is critical for dosage calculations and interpreting lab values.
Q3: Solve for x: 3x + 5 = 20
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5 [CORRECT]
D. 6
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To solve the equation, first isolate the term with x by subtracting 5 from both sides: 3x
= 15. Then, divide both sides by 3 to solve for x: x = 5. Algebra is used frequently in nursing to
calculate drip rates, titration dosages, and unknown variables in patient care scenarios. Option A
results from subtraction errors, Option B from division errors, and Option D from addition
errors.
Q4: What is 15% of 200?
A. 20
B. 25
C. 30 [CORRECT]
D. 35
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To find the percentage of a number, convert the percentage to a decimal (15% = 0.15)
and multiply by the number: 0.15 × 200 = 30. This calculation is necessary for determining fluid
restrictions, calculating weight loss percentages, or understanding lab value ranges. Option A is
10%, and Option B is 12.5%.
,3
Q5: If a patient weighs 165 pounds, what is their weight in kilograms? (Round to the nearest
tenth).
A. 73.0 kg
B. 74.0 kg
C. 75.0 kg [CORRECT]
D. 75.5 kg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The conversion factor is 1 kg = 2.2 lbs. To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the
weight in pounds by 2.2: .2 = 75 kg. Accurate weight conversion is crucial for medication
dosages which are often calculated on a per-kilogram basis. Option A uses 2.26 as a divisor, and
Option D results from a multiplication error.
Q6: Multiply: 2/3 × 4/5
A. 6/15
B. 8/15
C. 8/15 [CORRECT]
D. 1/2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators together and the denominators
together: (2 × 4) / (3 × 5) = 8/15. Since 8 and 15 have no common factors other than 1, the
fraction is already in simplest form. This skill is used when calculating fractional doses or
combining nutritional components. Option A represents a multiplication of the denominators
only.
Q7: Solve the proportion: 5/x = 10/20
A. 2
B. 5
C. 10 [CORRECT]
, 4
D. 15
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To solve the proportion, cross-multiply: 5 × 20 = 10 × x, which simplifies to 100 =
10x. Dividing both sides by 10 gives x = 10. Proportions are frequently used in nursing to
calculate dosages, solve for unknown quantities in drip rates, and determine scale. Option A
results from dividing incorrectly.
Q8: A nurse works a 12-hour shift. If she spends 1/4 of her time documenting and 1/3 of her time
in direct patient care, how many hours does she spend on these two tasks combined?
A. 5 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 7 hours [CORRECT]
D. 8 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: First, find the total fraction of time spent: 1/4 + 1/3 = 3/12 + 4/12 = 7/12. Then,
calculate 7/12 of the 12-hour shift: (7/12) × 12 = 7 hours. This type of word problem tests time
management and the ability to apply fractions to real-world scheduling. Options A and B
underestimate the combined time.
Q9: Evaluate: 5 + 3 × (6 - 2)
A. 17
B. 32
C. 17 [CORRECT]
D. 20
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Following the order of operations (PEMDAS), solve the parentheses first: (6 - 2) = 4.
Then perform multiplication: 3 × 4 = 12. Finally, perform addition: 5 + 12 = 17. Adhering to the
