HESI A2 GRAMMAR EXAM –QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains *
- Parts of Speech and Grammatical Roles *
- Subject-Verb Agreement and Verb Tenses *
- Pronoun-Antecedent Case and Agreement *
- Sentence Structure, Fragments, and Run-ons *
- Modifier Placement (Dangling and Misplaced) *
- Punctuation, Capitalization, and Mechanics *
, - Diction, Word Usage, and Commonly Confused Words *
- Professional Communication and Workplace Documentation *
Introduction *
The purpose of this exam is to comprehensively assess foundational and applied *
grammatical knowledge necessary for success in professional healthcare education *
and clinical practice. This assessment evaluates essential skills in syntactic *
accuracy, structural integrity, and professional communication through a series *
of multiple-choice questions and real-world scenario-based problems. Candidates *
must demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking and decision-making regarding *
linguistic precision, regulatory documentation compliance, and ethical reporting. *
The structure emphasizes the real-world application of grammar rules to maintain *
clear, unambiguous communication, which is vital for patient safety, legal *
accountability, and interprofessional collaboration within healthcare environments. *
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
The charge nurse asked the new orientee and ______ to complete the shift assessment logs before leaving.
A. he
,B. she
🟢 C. him
D. they
🔴 RATIONALE: The pronoun serves as the objective complement/object of the preposition "asked" (asked him). Objective case pronouns (him, her,
me, them, us) must be used when receiving the action of the verb.
Question 2
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
A. The committee of nursing administrators meet every third Thursday of the month.
🟢 B. Neither the attending physician nor the staff nurses like the new charting software.
C. Every one of the clinical trials have yielded inconclusive data regarding the drug.
D. Measurement of fluid intake and output are critical for patients with renal failure.
🔴 RATIONALE: When a subject is joined by "neither... nor," the verb agrees with the closer subject. "Staff nurses" is plural, so the plural verb "like"
is correct.
Question 3
The patient was admitted to the emergency department ______ severe abdominal pain and nausea.
🟢 A. presenting with
B. presenting of
C. presenting in
D. presenting by
🔴 RATIONALE: In clinical documentation, the standard idiom and professional phrasing is "presenting with" to describe the symptoms the patient
exhibits upon arrival.
Question 4
, Select the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.
A. Working through the night, the emergency room team treated forty patients.
B. After reviewing the lab reports, the physician changed the antibiotic dosage.
🟢 C. Walking into the patient's room, the IV pole was knocked over by the visitor.
D. Before administering the medication, the nurse verified the patient's identity.
🔴 RATIONALE: "Walking into the patient's room" is a dangling modifier because it modifies "the IV pole," which cannot walk. The person doing the
walking needs to be the subject of the main clause.
Question 5
The critical care unit has strict policies regarding ______ is permitted to enter the sterile zone during a procedure.
A. whom
🟢 B. whoever
C. whomever
D. whonow
🔴 RATIONALE: The pronoun serves as the subject of the dependent clause "is permitted to enter." Therefore, the subjective case "whoever" is
required, rather than the objective case "whomever."
Question 6
The medical director noted that the protocol changes would ______ all clinical staff, but the overall ______ would be positive for patient safety.
🟢 A. affect, effect
B. effect, affect
C. affect, affect
D. effect, effect
🔴 RATIONALE: "Affect" is a verb meaning to influence or produce a change in. "Effect" is a noun meaning the result or outcome of a change.
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains *
- Parts of Speech and Grammatical Roles *
- Subject-Verb Agreement and Verb Tenses *
- Pronoun-Antecedent Case and Agreement *
- Sentence Structure, Fragments, and Run-ons *
- Modifier Placement (Dangling and Misplaced) *
- Punctuation, Capitalization, and Mechanics *
, - Diction, Word Usage, and Commonly Confused Words *
- Professional Communication and Workplace Documentation *
Introduction *
The purpose of this exam is to comprehensively assess foundational and applied *
grammatical knowledge necessary for success in professional healthcare education *
and clinical practice. This assessment evaluates essential skills in syntactic *
accuracy, structural integrity, and professional communication through a series *
of multiple-choice questions and real-world scenario-based problems. Candidates *
must demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking and decision-making regarding *
linguistic precision, regulatory documentation compliance, and ethical reporting. *
The structure emphasizes the real-world application of grammar rules to maintain *
clear, unambiguous communication, which is vital for patient safety, legal *
accountability, and interprofessional collaboration within healthcare environments. *
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
The charge nurse asked the new orientee and ______ to complete the shift assessment logs before leaving.
A. he
,B. she
🟢 C. him
D. they
🔴 RATIONALE: The pronoun serves as the objective complement/object of the preposition "asked" (asked him). Objective case pronouns (him, her,
me, them, us) must be used when receiving the action of the verb.
Question 2
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
A. The committee of nursing administrators meet every third Thursday of the month.
🟢 B. Neither the attending physician nor the staff nurses like the new charting software.
C. Every one of the clinical trials have yielded inconclusive data regarding the drug.
D. Measurement of fluid intake and output are critical for patients with renal failure.
🔴 RATIONALE: When a subject is joined by "neither... nor," the verb agrees with the closer subject. "Staff nurses" is plural, so the plural verb "like"
is correct.
Question 3
The patient was admitted to the emergency department ______ severe abdominal pain and nausea.
🟢 A. presenting with
B. presenting of
C. presenting in
D. presenting by
🔴 RATIONALE: In clinical documentation, the standard idiom and professional phrasing is "presenting with" to describe the symptoms the patient
exhibits upon arrival.
Question 4
, Select the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.
A. Working through the night, the emergency room team treated forty patients.
B. After reviewing the lab reports, the physician changed the antibiotic dosage.
🟢 C. Walking into the patient's room, the IV pole was knocked over by the visitor.
D. Before administering the medication, the nurse verified the patient's identity.
🔴 RATIONALE: "Walking into the patient's room" is a dangling modifier because it modifies "the IV pole," which cannot walk. The person doing the
walking needs to be the subject of the main clause.
Question 5
The critical care unit has strict policies regarding ______ is permitted to enter the sterile zone during a procedure.
A. whom
🟢 B. whoever
C. whomever
D. whonow
🔴 RATIONALE: The pronoun serves as the subject of the dependent clause "is permitted to enter." Therefore, the subjective case "whoever" is
required, rather than the objective case "whomever."
Question 6
The medical director noted that the protocol changes would ______ all clinical staff, but the overall ______ would be positive for patient safety.
🟢 A. affect, effect
B. effect, affect
C. affect, affect
D. effect, effect
🔴 RATIONALE: "Affect" is a verb meaning to influence or produce a change in. "Effect" is a noun meaning the result or outcome of a change.