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# HESI A2 READING COMPREHENSION
PRACTICE TEST
## COMPLETE QUESTION BANK (250+
QUESTIONS WITH PASSAGES, ANSWERS &
RATIONALES)
### 2026-2027 EDITION | BASED ON HESI
ADMISSION ASSESSMENT EXAM REVIEW, 6TH
EDITION
## SECTION 1: MAIN IDEA & TOPIC SENTENCES
### PASSAGE 1: BLOOD PRESSURE REGULATORS
The body is composed of systems that have evolved and diversified in order to
maintain the natural functions and processes they regulate. One such system that
has these regulators is the body's cardiovascular system. The body's pump, which
regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body, as well as the
discard of carbon dioxide and other waste products, is the heart.
Because blood pressure varies at different points within the body, differing
components are needed to keep the body's blood pressure regulated. Three of the
basic components are baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys.
Baroreceptors are stretch receptors composed of fine branching nerve endings and
are contained along the walls of the arteries near the heart and in other areas of the
body as well. Impulses are related to this stretching along the arterial walls, which
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causes these baroreceptors to send out even more impulses to the heart, arteries,
and veins, causing the blood pressure to go either up or down.
Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in
oxygen level, carbon dioxide, and pH. Just think! A fall in oxygen causes receptors
to send impulses to raise the blood pressure.
The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water
and removing wastes. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex cause the kidney to
keep or let go of any salt and water. This has an influence on blood volume and
consequently on blood pressure.
**Question 1**
What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring baroreceptors.
B) Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring chemoreceptors.
C) Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring the kidneys.
D) Blood pressure can be regulated through baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and
the kidneys.
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The passage discusses three components that regulate blood
pressure: baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys. The passage states:
"Three of the basic components are baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the
kidneys." The other options are incorrect because they list only one component .
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**Question 2**
What is the primary function of the heart according to the passage?
A) To regulate blood pressure through baroreceptors
B) To pump blood and regulate oxygen flow to cells
C) To produce hormones that affect kidney function
D) To monitor changes in carbon dioxide and pH
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The passage states the heart is "the body's pump, which regulates
the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body, as well as the discard of
carbon dioxide and other waste products." This is the heart's primary function
described in the passage .
---
**Question 3**
Which statement best summarizes the role of the kidneys in blood pressure
regulation?
A) The kidneys produce hormones that directly raise blood pressure.
B) The kidneys absorb salts and water, influencing blood volume and pressure.
C) The kidneys filter oxygen and carbon dioxide from the blood.
D) The kidneys send impulses to the heart to regulate blood flow.
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**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The passage states: "The kidneys play a role in regulating blood
pressure by absorbing salts and water and removing wastes. This has an influence
on blood volume and consequently on blood pressure."
---
**Question 4**
What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay?
A) To inform the reader about the dangers of high blood pressure
B) To inform the reader how the cardiovascular system regulates blood pressure
C) To persuade the reader that controlling blood pressure is important
D) To entertain the reader with stories about the heart
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The author's purpose is to inform readers about how the
cardiovascular system regulates blood pressure through baroreceptors,
chemoreceptors, and the kidneys. The passage is explanatory and factual, not
persuasive .
---
# HESI A2 READING COMPREHENSION
PRACTICE TEST
## COMPLETE QUESTION BANK (250+
QUESTIONS WITH PASSAGES, ANSWERS &
RATIONALES)
### 2026-2027 EDITION | BASED ON HESI
ADMISSION ASSESSMENT EXAM REVIEW, 6TH
EDITION
## SECTION 1: MAIN IDEA & TOPIC SENTENCES
### PASSAGE 1: BLOOD PRESSURE REGULATORS
The body is composed of systems that have evolved and diversified in order to
maintain the natural functions and processes they regulate. One such system that
has these regulators is the body's cardiovascular system. The body's pump, which
regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body, as well as the
discard of carbon dioxide and other waste products, is the heart.
Because blood pressure varies at different points within the body, differing
components are needed to keep the body's blood pressure regulated. Three of the
basic components are baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys.
Baroreceptors are stretch receptors composed of fine branching nerve endings and
are contained along the walls of the arteries near the heart and in other areas of the
body as well. Impulses are related to this stretching along the arterial walls, which
,2|Page
causes these baroreceptors to send out even more impulses to the heart, arteries,
and veins, causing the blood pressure to go either up or down.
Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in
oxygen level, carbon dioxide, and pH. Just think! A fall in oxygen causes receptors
to send impulses to raise the blood pressure.
The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water
and removing wastes. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex cause the kidney to
keep or let go of any salt and water. This has an influence on blood volume and
consequently on blood pressure.
**Question 1**
What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring baroreceptors.
B) Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring chemoreceptors.
C) Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring the kidneys.
D) Blood pressure can be regulated through baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and
the kidneys.
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The passage discusses three components that regulate blood
pressure: baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys. The passage states:
"Three of the basic components are baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the
kidneys." The other options are incorrect because they list only one component .
,3|Page
**Question 2**
What is the primary function of the heart according to the passage?
A) To regulate blood pressure through baroreceptors
B) To pump blood and regulate oxygen flow to cells
C) To produce hormones that affect kidney function
D) To monitor changes in carbon dioxide and pH
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The passage states the heart is "the body's pump, which regulates
the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body, as well as the discard of
carbon dioxide and other waste products." This is the heart's primary function
described in the passage .
---
**Question 3**
Which statement best summarizes the role of the kidneys in blood pressure
regulation?
A) The kidneys produce hormones that directly raise blood pressure.
B) The kidneys absorb salts and water, influencing blood volume and pressure.
C) The kidneys filter oxygen and carbon dioxide from the blood.
D) The kidneys send impulses to the heart to regulate blood flow.
, 4|Page
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The passage states: "The kidneys play a role in regulating blood
pressure by absorbing salts and water and removing wastes. This has an influence
on blood volume and consequently on blood pressure."
---
**Question 4**
What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay?
A) To inform the reader about the dangers of high blood pressure
B) To inform the reader how the cardiovascular system regulates blood pressure
C) To persuade the reader that controlling blood pressure is important
D) To entertain the reader with stories about the heart
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The author's purpose is to inform readers about how the
cardiovascular system regulates blood pressure through baroreceptors,
chemoreceptors, and the kidneys. The passage is explanatory and factual, not
persuasive .
---
