HESI A2 Exam Prep All Versions with
Solution 2026/2027 | Complete Nursing
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Test Bank
Reading Comprehension – Understanding Written Passages
Passage 1:
Hand hygiene is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection and
illness. In healthcare settings, patients are often vulnerable to germs that can be
transmitted via the hands of healthcare workers. While soap and water are effective,
alcohol-based hand rubs are often preferred because they are accessible, quick to use,
and can be more effective than soap in certain situations. However, hands that are
visibly soiled or contaminated with bodily fluids must always be washed with soap and
water. It is essential for all medical staff to wash hands before touching a patient, before
clean/aseptic procedures, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, and
after touching the patient's surroundings.
Q1: What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Soap and water are the only effective methods for cleaning hands.
B. Hand hygiene is the primary method to prevent infection transmission. [CORRECT]
C. Alcohol-based hand rubs should never be used in hospitals.
D. Patients are responsible for washing their own hands.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that hand hygiene is the "single most important
way to prevent the spread of infection," which encapsulates the main idea better than
the specific details about soap or patient responsibility.
Q2: According to the passage, when must hands be washed with soap and water
instead of using an alcohol-based rub?
A. Before touching a patient.
B. After touching the patient's surroundings.
C. When hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with bodily fluids. [CORRECT]
D. When a quick method is needed.
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The text specifies that soap and water are required "if hands are visibly
soiled or contaminated with bodily fluids," whereas the rub is preferred for routine
access and speed.
Q3: What is the author's purpose in writing this passage?
A. To entertain the reader with stories about hospitals.
B. To criticize healthcare workers for poor hygiene.
C. To inform the reader about proper hand hygiene protocols. [CORRECT]
D. To sell alcohol-based hand rubs.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author provides facts and guidelines regarding hand washing techniques
and timing to educate the reader, fitting the purpose of "to inform."
Q4: Based on the passage, which of the following is NOT a time when hand hygiene is
required?
A. Before a clean procedure.
B. After touching a patient.
C. Before eating lunch in the cafeteria. [CORRECT]
D. After exposure to body fluid risk.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While hand washing is important generally, the passage specifically lists
clinical triggers (before patient touch, before procedures, after fluids, after patient, after
surroundings); eating lunch is a general hygiene activity not listed in the clinical
protocol.
Q5: The tone of this passage can best be described as:
A. Sarcastic and humorous.
B. Informative and professional. [CORRECT]
C. Emotional and fearful.
D. Critical and angry.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The language used is objective, factual, and instructional, which
characterizes an informative and professional tone.
Passage 2:
Sleep is not just a passive state but a complex neurological process essential for health
and well-being. It is divided into two main types: Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and
Non-REM. Non-REM sleep consists of three stages, ranging from light sleep to deep
sleep. During deep sleep, the body repairs tissues, builds bone and muscle, and
strengthens the immune system. REM sleep is associated with vivid dreaming and is
,crucial for memory consolidation and learning. Most adults require between 7 and 9
hours of sleep per night, though individual needs may vary. Chronic sleep deprivation
can lead to cognitive decline, mood disturbances, and an increased risk of chronic
diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Q6: What is the primary function of Non-REM deep sleep according to the text?
A. Memory consolidation and vivid dreaming.
B. Tissue repair, muscle growth, and immune strengthening. [CORRECT]
C. Preparation for waking up.
D. regulating blood sugar levels.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that during deep sleep (a stage of Non-REM), the body
"repairs tissues, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens the immune system."
Q7: How does the author differentiate between REM and Non-REM sleep?
A. REM is for tissue repair; Non-REM is for dreaming.
B. REM is associated with dreaming and memory; Non-REM is for physical restoration.
[CORRECT]
C. Non-REM is essential for health; REM is optional.
D. Adults need REM sleep but not Non-REM sleep.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The text contrasts the two by linking REM to dreaming/memory consolidation
and Non-REM (specifically deep sleep) to physical repair and immunity.
Q8: What is an inference the reader can make from the passage?
A. Adults need exactly 8 hours of sleep every night.
B. Sleeping too much can cause diabetes.
C. Not getting enough sleep can negatively affect a person's memory and mood.
[CORRECT]
D. REM sleep occurs only in the morning.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The text states REM is "crucial for memory consolidation" and "Chronic sleep
deprivation can lead to... mood disturbances," allowing the inference that lack of sleep
harms memory and mood.
Q9: The word "consolidation" in the context of this passage most likely means:
A. The process of becoming solid or firm.
B. The strengthening of memories or neural connections. [CORRECT]
C. The reduction of debt.
D. The combining of two companies.
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: While consolidation generally means combining or solidifying, in the context
of "memory consolidation," it refers to the neurological process of stabilizing a memory
trace after acquisition.
Q10: Which statement is supported by the passage?
A. Sleep is a passive activity where the brain rests completely.
B. Only deep sleep is important for health.
C. Sleep involves complex neurological processes vital for health. [CORRECT]
D. Most adults function well on 4 hours of sleep.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The opening sentence explicitly states, "Sleep is... a complex neurological
process essential for health," supporting this statement.
Passage 3:
Vital signs are measurements of the body's basic functions. Monitoring these signs is a
fundamental component of patient care. The table below shows the normal ranges for
an average resting adult.
Vital Sign Normal Range Unit
Body Temperature 97.8 - 99.1 Fahrenheit
Heart Rate (Pulse) 60 - 100 beats per minute
Solution 2026/2027 | Complete Nursing
Entrance Study Package, Verified
Questions, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Test Bank
Reading Comprehension – Understanding Written Passages
Passage 1:
Hand hygiene is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection and
illness. In healthcare settings, patients are often vulnerable to germs that can be
transmitted via the hands of healthcare workers. While soap and water are effective,
alcohol-based hand rubs are often preferred because they are accessible, quick to use,
and can be more effective than soap in certain situations. However, hands that are
visibly soiled or contaminated with bodily fluids must always be washed with soap and
water. It is essential for all medical staff to wash hands before touching a patient, before
clean/aseptic procedures, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, and
after touching the patient's surroundings.
Q1: What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Soap and water are the only effective methods for cleaning hands.
B. Hand hygiene is the primary method to prevent infection transmission. [CORRECT]
C. Alcohol-based hand rubs should never be used in hospitals.
D. Patients are responsible for washing their own hands.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that hand hygiene is the "single most important
way to prevent the spread of infection," which encapsulates the main idea better than
the specific details about soap or patient responsibility.
Q2: According to the passage, when must hands be washed with soap and water
instead of using an alcohol-based rub?
A. Before touching a patient.
B. After touching the patient's surroundings.
C. When hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with bodily fluids. [CORRECT]
D. When a quick method is needed.
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The text specifies that soap and water are required "if hands are visibly
soiled or contaminated with bodily fluids," whereas the rub is preferred for routine
access and speed.
Q3: What is the author's purpose in writing this passage?
A. To entertain the reader with stories about hospitals.
B. To criticize healthcare workers for poor hygiene.
C. To inform the reader about proper hand hygiene protocols. [CORRECT]
D. To sell alcohol-based hand rubs.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author provides facts and guidelines regarding hand washing techniques
and timing to educate the reader, fitting the purpose of "to inform."
Q4: Based on the passage, which of the following is NOT a time when hand hygiene is
required?
A. Before a clean procedure.
B. After touching a patient.
C. Before eating lunch in the cafeteria. [CORRECT]
D. After exposure to body fluid risk.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While hand washing is important generally, the passage specifically lists
clinical triggers (before patient touch, before procedures, after fluids, after patient, after
surroundings); eating lunch is a general hygiene activity not listed in the clinical
protocol.
Q5: The tone of this passage can best be described as:
A. Sarcastic and humorous.
B. Informative and professional. [CORRECT]
C. Emotional and fearful.
D. Critical and angry.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The language used is objective, factual, and instructional, which
characterizes an informative and professional tone.
Passage 2:
Sleep is not just a passive state but a complex neurological process essential for health
and well-being. It is divided into two main types: Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and
Non-REM. Non-REM sleep consists of three stages, ranging from light sleep to deep
sleep. During deep sleep, the body repairs tissues, builds bone and muscle, and
strengthens the immune system. REM sleep is associated with vivid dreaming and is
,crucial for memory consolidation and learning. Most adults require between 7 and 9
hours of sleep per night, though individual needs may vary. Chronic sleep deprivation
can lead to cognitive decline, mood disturbances, and an increased risk of chronic
diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Q6: What is the primary function of Non-REM deep sleep according to the text?
A. Memory consolidation and vivid dreaming.
B. Tissue repair, muscle growth, and immune strengthening. [CORRECT]
C. Preparation for waking up.
D. regulating blood sugar levels.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that during deep sleep (a stage of Non-REM), the body
"repairs tissues, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens the immune system."
Q7: How does the author differentiate between REM and Non-REM sleep?
A. REM is for tissue repair; Non-REM is for dreaming.
B. REM is associated with dreaming and memory; Non-REM is for physical restoration.
[CORRECT]
C. Non-REM is essential for health; REM is optional.
D. Adults need REM sleep but not Non-REM sleep.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The text contrasts the two by linking REM to dreaming/memory consolidation
and Non-REM (specifically deep sleep) to physical repair and immunity.
Q8: What is an inference the reader can make from the passage?
A. Adults need exactly 8 hours of sleep every night.
B. Sleeping too much can cause diabetes.
C. Not getting enough sleep can negatively affect a person's memory and mood.
[CORRECT]
D. REM sleep occurs only in the morning.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The text states REM is "crucial for memory consolidation" and "Chronic sleep
deprivation can lead to... mood disturbances," allowing the inference that lack of sleep
harms memory and mood.
Q9: The word "consolidation" in the context of this passage most likely means:
A. The process of becoming solid or firm.
B. The strengthening of memories or neural connections. [CORRECT]
C. The reduction of debt.
D. The combining of two companies.
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: While consolidation generally means combining or solidifying, in the context
of "memory consolidation," it refers to the neurological process of stabilizing a memory
trace after acquisition.
Q10: Which statement is supported by the passage?
A. Sleep is a passive activity where the brain rests completely.
B. Only deep sleep is important for health.
C. Sleep involves complex neurological processes vital for health. [CORRECT]
D. Most adults function well on 4 hours of sleep.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The opening sentence explicitly states, "Sleep is... a complex neurological
process essential for health," supporting this statement.
Passage 3:
Vital signs are measurements of the body's basic functions. Monitoring these signs is a
fundamental component of patient care. The table below shows the normal ranges for
an average resting adult.
Vital Sign Normal Range Unit
Body Temperature 97.8 - 99.1 Fahrenheit
Heart Rate (Pulse) 60 - 100 beats per minute
