HESI A2 Entrance Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified |
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[SECTION 1: Mathematics — Questions 1-30]
Q1: A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. The order is for 0.75 grams of a drug. The
available medication is labeled 250 mg per tablet. How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. 2 tablets
B. 3 tablets
C. 3 tablets [CORRECT]
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: First, convert the ordered dose to the same unit as the supply. Since there are 1,000
mg in 1 gram, 0.75 grams equals 750 mg. Next, set up the calculation: Desired Dose (750 mg)
divided by Have on Hand (250 mg/tablet) equals 3 tablets. This calculation ensures the patient
receives the correct dosage, which is critical for patient safety and therapeutic effectiveness.
Option A would result in under-dosing, while Option D would result in a potentially dangerous
overdose.
Q2: Convert 5/8 to a decimal.
A. 0.58
B. 0.6
C. 0.625
D. 0.625 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
,2
Rationale: To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator. Dividing
5 by 8 yields 0.625. Understanding decimal conversions is essential in nursing for interpreting
precise measurements, such as fluid intake/output or medication dosages. Options A and B are
common errors resulting from misplacing the decimal point or improper division.
Q3: If a patient burns 120 calories per mile walking, how many calories will they burn after
walking 2.5 miles?
A. 300 calories
B. 240 calories
C. 300 calories [CORRECT]
D. 480 calories
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To find the total calories burned, multiply the rate of calories burned per mile by the
distance walked: 120 calories/mile × 2.5 miles = 300 calories. This type of calculation is relevant
for nutritional planning and patient education regarding physical activity. Option B is the result
of multiplying by only 2 miles, while Option D represents doubling the rate erroneously.
Q4: Solve for x: 3x + 5 = 20
A. x = 5
B. x = 15
C. x = 5 [CORRECT]
D. x = 7.5
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To solve for x, first subtract 5 from both sides of the equation, resulting in 3x = 15.
Then, divide both sides by 3 to isolate x, which gives x = 5. Basic algebra is used frequently in
nursing dosage calculations where the unknown variable might be the volume of fluid required.
Option B is incorrect because the division step was skipped, and Option D results from dividing
the difference by 2.
,3
Q5: What is 35% of 200?
A. 70
B. 35
C. 70 [CORRECT]
D. 0.7
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To find the percentage of a number, convert the percentage to a decimal (35% = 0.35)
and multiply by the total number: 0.35 × 200 = 70. Calculating percentages is a daily task in
healthcare, used for determining fluid replacement percentages or understanding lab value
changes. Options B and D demonstrate errors in decimal placement or misunderstanding of the
percentage concept.
Q6: How many milliliters are in 1.5 liters?
A. 150 mL
B. 1,500 mL
C. 1,500 mL [CORRECT]
D. 15,000 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The metric system is based on powers of ten. Since there are 1,000 milliliters in 1
liter, multiply 1.5 by 1,000 to get 1,500 milliliters. Accurate conversion between liters and
milliliters is critical for intravenous (IV) fluid administration and medication dosing. Option A is
off by a factor of ten, and Option D is off by a factor of 100.
Q7: Multiply: 2.5 × 0.4
A. 10
B. 0.1
C. 1.0
, 4
D. 1.0 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When multiplying decimals, multiply the numbers as if they were whole numbers (25
× 4 = 100) and then place the decimal point. Since there are two decimal places total in the
original factors (one in 2.5 and one in 0.4), the final answer must have two decimal places,
resulting in 1.00, or 1.0. Precision in decimal multiplication ensures accurate dosages in
pediatrics and pharmacology. Options A and B misplace the decimal point significantly.
Q8: A patient’s weight is recorded as 165 pounds. What is their weight in kilograms? (Round to
the nearest tenth.)
A. 75.0 kg
B. 82.5 kg
C. 75.0 kg [CORRECT]
D. 363.0 kg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the weight in pounds by 2.2, since 1 kg equals
2.2 lbs. Therefore, 165 ÷ 2.2 = 75 kg. Medication dosages in hospitals are almost always
calculated based on weight in kilograms, making this conversion vital for patient safety. Option
B is a common error of multiplying instead of dividing, and Option D represents multiplying by
2.2 incorrectly.
Q9: Which of the following is the greatest value?
A. 0.056
B. 0.56
C. 0.506
D. 0.56 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D