1
HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Exam
Bank 2025 – 200 Practice Questions with
Answers & Rationales (Passage
Structure, Transition Words, & Flow)
Table of Contents
Sub-topic 1: Understanding Passage Structure in Health-Related Texts (Q1–
20)...................................................................................................................2
Sub-topic 2: Transition Words and Logical Flow in Nursing Texts (Q21–40)....11
Sub-topic 3: Passage Flow and Sentence Arrangement in Nursing Texts (Q41–
60).................................................................................................................21
Sub-topic 4: Identifying Author’s Purpose and Tone in Medical Texts (Q61–80)
.......................................................................................................................31
Sub-topic 5: Inference and Implication in Nursing Reading Passages (Q81–
100)...............................................................................................................40
Sub-topic 6: Context Clues and Vocabulary Meaning in Medical Reading
Passages (Q101–120).....................................................................................50
Sub-topic 7: Reading Comprehension for Charts, Graphs, and Visual Texts in
Nursing (Q121–140).......................................................................................60
Sub-topic 8: Author’s Claims and Supporting Evidence in Healthcare Texts
(Q141–160)....................................................................................................71
Sub-topic 9: Drawing Conclusions from Nursing Case Scenarios (Q161–180)
.......................................................................................................................80
Sub-topic 10: Synthesis and Integration of Multiple Nursing Texts (Q181–200)
.......................................................................................................................89
, 2
Sub-topic 1: Understanding Passage Structure
in Health-Related Texts (Q1–20)
Q1. Which sentence best represents the main idea of a passage discussing
the importance of early mobilization in postoperative patients?
A. Physical therapy helps many patients regain movement.
B. Early mobilization significantly improves recovery outcomes after surgery.
C. Some patients resist walking after surgery due to fear.
D. Postoperative complications can include pneumonia and blood clots.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This sentence presents the central message that ties the
supporting details together, showing the purpose of the passage.
Q2. What role does the first paragraph of a nursing education passage about
hand hygiene most likely serve?
A. Listing historical practices
B. Introducing the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare
C. Comparing different hygiene products
D. Criticizing current compliance rates
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first paragraph usually sets the tone or introduces the main
theme—in this case, the importance of hand hygiene.
, 3
Q3. Which transition would best fit between two sentences explaining how
nurses administer injections and the patient's response?
A. Furthermore
B. Nevertheless
C. As a result
D. For example
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "As a result" effectively shows cause and effect between
administering an injection and the patient's response.
Q4. What is the function of a concluding paragraph in a passage about
diabetes education?
A. To introduce insulin types
B. To summarize key points and reinforce the purpose
C. To offer irrelevant patient anecdotes
D. To describe hospital food menus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The conclusion should wrap up the discussion and reaffirm the
passage's key messages.
, 4
Q5. Which signal phrase indicates the contrast between two nursing
interventions?
A. In addition
B. As a result
C. On the other hand
D. Such as
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "On the other hand" is commonly used to contrast two differing
ideas or approaches.
Q6. A passage describes three steps in controlling infection. Which structural
pattern is most likely used?
A. Cause and effect
B. Sequence/chronological order
C. Compare and contrast
D. Descriptive order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Describing steps indicates the use of a chronological or sequential
structure.
Q7. What kind of passage structure is best for explaining why patients with
hypertension should limit sodium intake?
HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Exam
Bank 2025 – 200 Practice Questions with
Answers & Rationales (Passage
Structure, Transition Words, & Flow)
Table of Contents
Sub-topic 1: Understanding Passage Structure in Health-Related Texts (Q1–
20)...................................................................................................................2
Sub-topic 2: Transition Words and Logical Flow in Nursing Texts (Q21–40)....11
Sub-topic 3: Passage Flow and Sentence Arrangement in Nursing Texts (Q41–
60).................................................................................................................21
Sub-topic 4: Identifying Author’s Purpose and Tone in Medical Texts (Q61–80)
.......................................................................................................................31
Sub-topic 5: Inference and Implication in Nursing Reading Passages (Q81–
100)...............................................................................................................40
Sub-topic 6: Context Clues and Vocabulary Meaning in Medical Reading
Passages (Q101–120).....................................................................................50
Sub-topic 7: Reading Comprehension for Charts, Graphs, and Visual Texts in
Nursing (Q121–140).......................................................................................60
Sub-topic 8: Author’s Claims and Supporting Evidence in Healthcare Texts
(Q141–160)....................................................................................................71
Sub-topic 9: Drawing Conclusions from Nursing Case Scenarios (Q161–180)
.......................................................................................................................80
Sub-topic 10: Synthesis and Integration of Multiple Nursing Texts (Q181–200)
.......................................................................................................................89
, 2
Sub-topic 1: Understanding Passage Structure
in Health-Related Texts (Q1–20)
Q1. Which sentence best represents the main idea of a passage discussing
the importance of early mobilization in postoperative patients?
A. Physical therapy helps many patients regain movement.
B. Early mobilization significantly improves recovery outcomes after surgery.
C. Some patients resist walking after surgery due to fear.
D. Postoperative complications can include pneumonia and blood clots.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This sentence presents the central message that ties the
supporting details together, showing the purpose of the passage.
Q2. What role does the first paragraph of a nursing education passage about
hand hygiene most likely serve?
A. Listing historical practices
B. Introducing the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare
C. Comparing different hygiene products
D. Criticizing current compliance rates
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first paragraph usually sets the tone or introduces the main
theme—in this case, the importance of hand hygiene.
, 3
Q3. Which transition would best fit between two sentences explaining how
nurses administer injections and the patient's response?
A. Furthermore
B. Nevertheless
C. As a result
D. For example
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "As a result" effectively shows cause and effect between
administering an injection and the patient's response.
Q4. What is the function of a concluding paragraph in a passage about
diabetes education?
A. To introduce insulin types
B. To summarize key points and reinforce the purpose
C. To offer irrelevant patient anecdotes
D. To describe hospital food menus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The conclusion should wrap up the discussion and reaffirm the
passage's key messages.
, 4
Q5. Which signal phrase indicates the contrast between two nursing
interventions?
A. In addition
B. As a result
C. On the other hand
D. Such as
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "On the other hand" is commonly used to contrast two differing
ideas or approaches.
Q6. A passage describes three steps in controlling infection. Which structural
pattern is most likely used?
A. Cause and effect
B. Sequence/chronological order
C. Compare and contrast
D. Descriptive order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Describing steps indicates the use of a chronological or sequential
structure.
Q7. What kind of passage structure is best for explaining why patients with
hypertension should limit sodium intake?
