HESI A2 Version 2 Exam ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | Comprehensive Nursing Admission
Readiness Assessment | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[Section 1: Reading Comprehension]
Passage 1: The human cardiovascular system is a complex network responsible for transporting blood,
nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body. The heart, a muscular organ roughly the size of a fist, serves
as the central pump. It is divided into four chambers: two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles
(lower chambers). The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it
to the lungs for oxygenation. The left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the
rest of the body. This continuous cycle ensures that all tissues receive the oxygen and nutrients
necessary for cellular function.
Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The heart is divided into four chambers that work independently.
B. The cardiovascular system transports essential substances throughout the body via the heart's
pumping action.
C. The lungs are responsible for oxygenating blood before it reaches the heart.
D. The right side of the heart is more important than the left side.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main idea encompasses the entire cardiovascular system's function of transporting
blood, nutrients, and oxygen. The heart's four chambers work interdependently, not independently.
While the lungs oxygenate blood, this is a supporting detail, not the main idea. Neither side of the heart
is more important; both are essential.
Q2: According to the passage, which chamber receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?
A. The right atrium
B. The right ventricle
C. The left atrium
D. The left ventricle
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage states that "the left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs." The left
atrium is the first chamber on the left side to receive blood. The right atrium receives deoxygenated
blood. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated
blood to the body.
Q3: The author mentions that the heart is "roughly the size of a fist" primarily to:
A. Emphasize that the heart is larger than most organs
B. Provide a relatable comparison to help readers visualize the heart's size
C. Suggest that the heart's size varies significantly among individuals
D. Indicate that the heart is smaller than it needs to be
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The comparison to a fist helps readers visualize the heart's size using a familiar reference
point. The passage does not suggest the heart is larger than most organs, that size varies significantly, or
that it is too small. The purpose is descriptive and relatable.
Q4: Which statement can be logically inferred from the passage?
A. If the left side of the heart fails, the body will not receive adequate oxygenated blood.
B. The right side of the heart is unnecessary for survival.
C. Blood never returns to the heart after leaving it.
D. The atria are more muscular than the ventricles because they pump blood farther.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The passage explains that the left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body, so if it fails,
oxygen delivery would be compromised. The right side is essential for pulmonary circulation. Blood
continuously cycles back to the heart. The ventricles are more muscular than the atria because they
pump blood farther.
Q5: The tone of the passage can best be described as:
A. Persuasive
B. Informative
C. Emotional
D. Critical
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about the cardiovascular system in an objective,
,educational manner. It does not attempt to persuade, evoke emotion, or criticize. The tone is clearly
informative and explanatory.
Passage 2: Effective communication is fundamental to successful nursing practice. Nurses must not only
convey information clearly to patients and families but also listen actively to understand patients'
concerns. Therapeutic communication techniques include restating, reflecting, clarifying, and using
open-ended questions. These techniques help build trust and rapport, which are essential for accurate
assessment and patient-centered care. Research consistently demonstrates that strong communication
skills improve patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce medical errors.
Q6: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?
A. To argue that nurses should spend more time with patients
B. To inform readers about the importance and techniques of therapeutic communication in nursing
C. To criticize nurses who lack strong communication skills
D. To describe the daily schedule of a typical nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage's purpose is to inform readers about therapeutic communication techniques and
their importance in nursing. It does not argue for more time with patients, criticize nurses, or describe
daily schedules. The focus is educational.
Q7: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a therapeutic communication technique in the
passage?
A. Restating
B. Reflecting
C. Summarizing
D. Clarifying
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage lists restating, reflecting, clarifying, and open-ended questions as therapeutic
techniques. Summarizing is not mentioned in the passage. While summarizing is a valid communication
technique, it is not included in this specific text.
Q8: According to the passage, what is the relationship between communication skills and patient
outcomes?
A. There is no relationship between communication and outcomes.
B. Strong communication skills improve patient outcomes.
, C. Only verbal communication affects outcomes.
D. Communication skills are less important than technical skills.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that "strong communication skills improve patient outcomes." It
does not suggest there is no relationship, that only verbal communication matters, or that
communication is less important than technical skills. Research supports the positive correlation.
Q9: The word "rapport" in the passage most nearly means:
A. Conflict
B. Agreement
C. Mutual understanding and trust
D. Professional distance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "Rapport" refers to a harmonious relationship characterized by mutual understanding and
trust. It does not mean conflict, simple agreement, or professional distance. In nursing, rapport is
essential for effective therapeutic relationships.
Q10: Which statement best summarizes the passage?
A. Nurses should avoid emotional connections with patients.
B. Therapeutic communication techniques are essential tools that improve nursing practice and patient
outcomes.
C. Medical errors are caused solely by poor communication.
D. Patients are satisfied only when nurses use restating techniques.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The summary captures the main points: therapeutic communication techniques are
important, and they improve outcomes. The passage does not suggest avoiding emotional connections,
that errors are solely caused by poor communication, or that restating alone ensures satisfaction.
Passage 3: The process of cellular respiration is essential for life. It occurs in the mitochondria of
eukaryotic cells and involves three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle), and the
electron transport chain. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate in the cytoplasm,
producing a small amount of ATP. The Krebs cycle further breaks down pyruvate, releasing carbon
dioxide and generating more ATP and electron carriers. The electron transport chain, located in the
inner mitochondrial membrane, uses these electrons to produce the majority of ATP through oxidative
2026/2027 | Comprehensive Nursing Admission
Readiness Assessment | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[Section 1: Reading Comprehension]
Passage 1: The human cardiovascular system is a complex network responsible for transporting blood,
nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body. The heart, a muscular organ roughly the size of a fist, serves
as the central pump. It is divided into four chambers: two atria (upper chambers) and two ventricles
(lower chambers). The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it
to the lungs for oxygenation. The left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the
rest of the body. This continuous cycle ensures that all tissues receive the oxygen and nutrients
necessary for cellular function.
Q1: What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The heart is divided into four chambers that work independently.
B. The cardiovascular system transports essential substances throughout the body via the heart's
pumping action.
C. The lungs are responsible for oxygenating blood before it reaches the heart.
D. The right side of the heart is more important than the left side.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main idea encompasses the entire cardiovascular system's function of transporting
blood, nutrients, and oxygen. The heart's four chambers work interdependently, not independently.
While the lungs oxygenate blood, this is a supporting detail, not the main idea. Neither side of the heart
is more important; both are essential.
Q2: According to the passage, which chamber receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?
A. The right atrium
B. The right ventricle
C. The left atrium
D. The left ventricle
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage states that "the left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs." The left
atrium is the first chamber on the left side to receive blood. The right atrium receives deoxygenated
blood. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated
blood to the body.
Q3: The author mentions that the heart is "roughly the size of a fist" primarily to:
A. Emphasize that the heart is larger than most organs
B. Provide a relatable comparison to help readers visualize the heart's size
C. Suggest that the heart's size varies significantly among individuals
D. Indicate that the heart is smaller than it needs to be
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The comparison to a fist helps readers visualize the heart's size using a familiar reference
point. The passage does not suggest the heart is larger than most organs, that size varies significantly, or
that it is too small. The purpose is descriptive and relatable.
Q4: Which statement can be logically inferred from the passage?
A. If the left side of the heart fails, the body will not receive adequate oxygenated blood.
B. The right side of the heart is unnecessary for survival.
C. Blood never returns to the heart after leaving it.
D. The atria are more muscular than the ventricles because they pump blood farther.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The passage explains that the left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body, so if it fails,
oxygen delivery would be compromised. The right side is essential for pulmonary circulation. Blood
continuously cycles back to the heart. The ventricles are more muscular than the atria because they
pump blood farther.
Q5: The tone of the passage can best be described as:
A. Persuasive
B. Informative
C. Emotional
D. Critical
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about the cardiovascular system in an objective,
,educational manner. It does not attempt to persuade, evoke emotion, or criticize. The tone is clearly
informative and explanatory.
Passage 2: Effective communication is fundamental to successful nursing practice. Nurses must not only
convey information clearly to patients and families but also listen actively to understand patients'
concerns. Therapeutic communication techniques include restating, reflecting, clarifying, and using
open-ended questions. These techniques help build trust and rapport, which are essential for accurate
assessment and patient-centered care. Research consistently demonstrates that strong communication
skills improve patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce medical errors.
Q6: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?
A. To argue that nurses should spend more time with patients
B. To inform readers about the importance and techniques of therapeutic communication in nursing
C. To criticize nurses who lack strong communication skills
D. To describe the daily schedule of a typical nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage's purpose is to inform readers about therapeutic communication techniques and
their importance in nursing. It does not argue for more time with patients, criticize nurses, or describe
daily schedules. The focus is educational.
Q7: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a therapeutic communication technique in the
passage?
A. Restating
B. Reflecting
C. Summarizing
D. Clarifying
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage lists restating, reflecting, clarifying, and open-ended questions as therapeutic
techniques. Summarizing is not mentioned in the passage. While summarizing is a valid communication
technique, it is not included in this specific text.
Q8: According to the passage, what is the relationship between communication skills and patient
outcomes?
A. There is no relationship between communication and outcomes.
B. Strong communication skills improve patient outcomes.
, C. Only verbal communication affects outcomes.
D. Communication skills are less important than technical skills.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that "strong communication skills improve patient outcomes." It
does not suggest there is no relationship, that only verbal communication matters, or that
communication is less important than technical skills. Research supports the positive correlation.
Q9: The word "rapport" in the passage most nearly means:
A. Conflict
B. Agreement
C. Mutual understanding and trust
D. Professional distance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "Rapport" refers to a harmonious relationship characterized by mutual understanding and
trust. It does not mean conflict, simple agreement, or professional distance. In nursing, rapport is
essential for effective therapeutic relationships.
Q10: Which statement best summarizes the passage?
A. Nurses should avoid emotional connections with patients.
B. Therapeutic communication techniques are essential tools that improve nursing practice and patient
outcomes.
C. Medical errors are caused solely by poor communication.
D. Patients are satisfied only when nurses use restating techniques.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The summary captures the main points: therapeutic communication techniques are
important, and they improve outcomes. The passage does not suggest avoiding emotional connections,
that errors are solely caused by poor communication, or that restating alone ensures satisfaction.
Passage 3: The process of cellular respiration is essential for life. It occurs in the mitochondria of
eukaryotic cells and involves three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle), and the
electron transport chain. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate in the cytoplasm,
producing a small amount of ATP. The Krebs cycle further breaks down pyruvate, releasing carbon
dioxide and generating more ATP and electron carriers. The electron transport chain, located in the
inner mitochondrial membrane, uses these electrons to produce the majority of ATP through oxidative
