1
HESI A2 Exam Bank on Passive vs. Active
Voice in Medical Scenarios
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Identifying Passive vs. Active Voice in Clinical Sentences.............2
Subtopic 2: Transforming Passive Sentences to Active Voice in Clinical
Contexts...........................................................................................................9
Subtopic 3: Revising Clinical Notes from Passive to Active Voice...................17
Subtopic 4: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice in Nursing
Charting Examples.........................................................................................25
Subtopic 5: Clinical Communication and Passive vs. Active Voice Clarity......32
Subtopic 6: Grammar Drills – Converting Medical Sentences to Active/Passive
Voice..............................................................................................................39
Subtopic 7: Handoff Reports and Voice Choice in Clinical Narratives.............46
Subtopic 8: Pharmacological Procedures in Active/Passive Form...................53
Subtopic 9: Diagnostic Procedures and Descriptions – Active vs. Passive Use
.......................................................................................................................61
Subtopic 10: Nursing Education and Communication – Identifying Active and
Passive Voice..................................................................................................68
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Subtopic 1: Identifying Passive vs. Active
Voice in Clinical Sentences
Question 1
Which sentence is written in active voice?
A. The medication was administered by the nurse.
B. The patient was observed overnight.
C. The nurse administered the medication.
D. The procedure was delayed due to equipment failure.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In active voice, the subject performs the action. Here, “the nurse”
is the subject who performs the action “administered.”
Question 2
Select the passive voice sentence:
A. The surgeon performed the operation efficiently.
B. The operation was performed efficiently by the surgeon.
C. The nurse documented the vitals.
D. The lab technician collected the samples.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Passive voice uses a form of “to be” + past participle. The subject
(surgeon) comes after the action.
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of passive voice in a medical report?
A. The physician assessed the patient’s neurological status.
B. The patient’s neurological status was assessed by the physician.
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C. The EMT transported the accident victim.
D. The resident explained the procedure to the patient.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The action “was assessed” comes before the actor (physician),
indicating passive voice.
Question 4
Choose the active voice sentence:
A. The respiratory therapist intubated the patient.
B. The patient was intubated by the respiratory therapist.
C. The wound was cleaned thoroughly.
D. The medication was prescribed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The subject (“therapist”) is doing the action directly, showing
active voice.
Question 5
Identify the passive construction:
A. The child received a tetanus injection.
B. A tetanus injection was given to the child.
C. The nurse explained the need for a tetanus shot.
D. The physician gave the child an injection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The verb “was given” indicates passive voice; the doer is
mentioned after the action.
Question 6
Which sentence demonstrates the use of passive voice?
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A. The staff resuscitated the patient.
B. The surgeon sutured the wound.
C. The patient was resuscitated by the staff.
D. The doctor informed the family.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Was resuscitated” is passive, and the agent is placed after “by.”
Question 7
Select the sentence that is in the active voice:
A. The medications were reviewed by the pharmacist.
B. The pharmacist reviewed the medications.
C. The report was signed by the nurse.
D. The blood was drawn by the phlebotomist.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The subject is placed before the verb and does the action.
Question 8
Choose the passive sentence used in a discharge summary:
A. The patient tolerated the procedure well.
B. The staff cleaned the surgical site.
C. The surgical site was cleaned before discharge.
D. The nurse checked the patient’s vital signs.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Was cleaned” is a passive verb construction, lacking a clear
subject.
Question 9
HESI A2 Exam Bank on Passive vs. Active
Voice in Medical Scenarios
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Identifying Passive vs. Active Voice in Clinical Sentences.............2
Subtopic 2: Transforming Passive Sentences to Active Voice in Clinical
Contexts...........................................................................................................9
Subtopic 3: Revising Clinical Notes from Passive to Active Voice...................17
Subtopic 4: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice in Nursing
Charting Examples.........................................................................................25
Subtopic 5: Clinical Communication and Passive vs. Active Voice Clarity......32
Subtopic 6: Grammar Drills – Converting Medical Sentences to Active/Passive
Voice..............................................................................................................39
Subtopic 7: Handoff Reports and Voice Choice in Clinical Narratives.............46
Subtopic 8: Pharmacological Procedures in Active/Passive Form...................53
Subtopic 9: Diagnostic Procedures and Descriptions – Active vs. Passive Use
.......................................................................................................................61
Subtopic 10: Nursing Education and Communication – Identifying Active and
Passive Voice..................................................................................................68
, 2
Subtopic 1: Identifying Passive vs. Active
Voice in Clinical Sentences
Question 1
Which sentence is written in active voice?
A. The medication was administered by the nurse.
B. The patient was observed overnight.
C. The nurse administered the medication.
D. The procedure was delayed due to equipment failure.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In active voice, the subject performs the action. Here, “the nurse”
is the subject who performs the action “administered.”
Question 2
Select the passive voice sentence:
A. The surgeon performed the operation efficiently.
B. The operation was performed efficiently by the surgeon.
C. The nurse documented the vitals.
D. The lab technician collected the samples.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Passive voice uses a form of “to be” + past participle. The subject
(surgeon) comes after the action.
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of passive voice in a medical report?
A. The physician assessed the patient’s neurological status.
B. The patient’s neurological status was assessed by the physician.
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C. The EMT transported the accident victim.
D. The resident explained the procedure to the patient.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The action “was assessed” comes before the actor (physician),
indicating passive voice.
Question 4
Choose the active voice sentence:
A. The respiratory therapist intubated the patient.
B. The patient was intubated by the respiratory therapist.
C. The wound was cleaned thoroughly.
D. The medication was prescribed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The subject (“therapist”) is doing the action directly, showing
active voice.
Question 5
Identify the passive construction:
A. The child received a tetanus injection.
B. A tetanus injection was given to the child.
C. The nurse explained the need for a tetanus shot.
D. The physician gave the child an injection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The verb “was given” indicates passive voice; the doer is
mentioned after the action.
Question 6
Which sentence demonstrates the use of passive voice?
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A. The staff resuscitated the patient.
B. The surgeon sutured the wound.
C. The patient was resuscitated by the staff.
D. The doctor informed the family.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Was resuscitated” is passive, and the agent is placed after “by.”
Question 7
Select the sentence that is in the active voice:
A. The medications were reviewed by the pharmacist.
B. The pharmacist reviewed the medications.
C. The report was signed by the nurse.
D. The blood was drawn by the phlebotomist.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The subject is placed before the verb and does the action.
Question 8
Choose the passive sentence used in a discharge summary:
A. The patient tolerated the procedure well.
B. The staff cleaned the surgical site.
C. The surgical site was cleaned before discharge.
D. The nurse checked the patient’s vital signs.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Was cleaned” is a passive verb construction, lacking a clear
subject.
Question 9
