HESI A2 Practice Questions
Questions 1 to 4 pertain to the following passage:
Protozoa are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can be free-living or parasitic in nature. They are
able to multiply in humans, a factor which contributes to their survival and also permits serious
infections to develop from just a single organism. Transmission of protozoa that live in the human
intestine to another human typically occurs by a fecal-oral route (for example, contaminated food or
water, or person-to-person contact). Protozoa that thrive in the blood or tissue of humans are
transmitted to their human hosts by an arthropod vector (for example, through the bite of a mosquito
or sand fly).
Helminths are large, multicellular organisms that are generally visible to the naked eye in their adult
stages. Like protozoa, helminths can be either free-living or parasitic in nature. In their adult form,
helminths cannot multiply in humans. There are three main groups of helminths (derived from the
Greek word for worms) that are human parasites:
Flatworms (platyhelminths) – these include the trematodes (flukes) and cestodes (tapeworms)
Thorny-headed worms (acanthocephalins) – the adult forms of these worms reside in the
gastrointestinal tract. The acanthocephala are thought to be intermediate between the cestodes
and nematodes
Roundworms (nematodes) – the adult forms of these worms can reside in the gastrointestinal
tract, blood, lymphatic system or subcutaneous tissues. Alternatively, the immature (larval)
states can cause disease through their infection of various body tissues
1. As used in this passage, the word "parasite" means:
a. A person who lives in Paris
b. An organism that live on or in another organism
c. Microscopic insects
d. A person who takes advantage of the generosity of others
2. According to the passage, adult Roundworms can live in:
a. the arthropod vector c. the subcutaneous tissue of humans
b. fecal matter d. contaminated water
3. You can infer from this passage that:
a. larval stages of parasites are more dangerous than the adult forms
b. mosquitoes do not transmit parasites
c. worms cannot infect humans
d. clean sanitary conditions will keep you free of protozoa
4. According to the passage, which of the following is true?
I. Protozoa live in the blood or tissue of humans
II. Adult helminthes cannot reproduce in humans
III. Adult Thorny-headed worms live in the intestinal tract
a. I only b. II only c. I and II only d. I, II, and III
5. What is the best definition for the word latent?
a. Thorough b. Dormant c. Current d. Obvious
6. What is the meaning of the word precipitous?
a. Cautious b. Languid c. Subtle d. Abrupt
7. What is the best definition of the word recur?
a. Redo b. Recreate c. Return d. Revolve
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Questions 1 to 4 pertain to the following passage:
Protozoa are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can be free-living or parasitic in nature. They are
able to multiply in humans, a factor which contributes to their survival and also permits serious
infections to develop from just a single organism. Transmission of protozoa that live in the human
intestine to another human typically occurs by a fecal-oral route (for example, contaminated food or
water, or person-to-person contact). Protozoa that thrive in the blood or tissue of humans are
transmitted to their human hosts by an arthropod vector (for example, through the bite of a mosquito
or sand fly).
Helminths are large, multicellular organisms that are generally visible to the naked eye in their adult
stages. Like protozoa, helminths can be either free-living or parasitic in nature. In their adult form,
helminths cannot multiply in humans. There are three main groups of helminths (derived from the
Greek word for worms) that are human parasites:
Flatworms (platyhelminths) – these include the trematodes (flukes) and cestodes (tapeworms)
Thorny-headed worms (acanthocephalins) – the adult forms of these worms reside in the
gastrointestinal tract. The acanthocephala are thought to be intermediate between the cestodes
and nematodes
Roundworms (nematodes) – the adult forms of these worms can reside in the gastrointestinal
tract, blood, lymphatic system or subcutaneous tissues. Alternatively, the immature (larval)
states can cause disease through their infection of various body tissues
1. As used in this passage, the word "parasite" means:
a. A person who lives in Paris
b. An organism that live on or in another organism
c. Microscopic insects
d. A person who takes advantage of the generosity of others
2. According to the passage, adult Roundworms can live in:
a. the arthropod vector c. the subcutaneous tissue of humans
b. fecal matter d. contaminated water
3. You can infer from this passage that:
a. larval stages of parasites are more dangerous than the adult forms
b. mosquitoes do not transmit parasites
c. worms cannot infect humans
d. clean sanitary conditions will keep you free of protozoa
4. According to the passage, which of the following is true?
I. Protozoa live in the blood or tissue of humans
II. Adult helminthes cannot reproduce in humans
III. Adult Thorny-headed worms live in the intestinal tract
a. I only b. II only c. I and II only d. I, II, and III
5. What is the best definition for the word latent?
a. Thorough b. Dormant c. Current d. Obvious
6. What is the meaning of the word precipitous?
a. Cautious b. Languid c. Subtle d. Abrupt
7. What is the best definition of the word recur?
a. Redo b. Recreate c. Return d. Revolve
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