HESI A2 ENTRANCE EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Reading ComprehensionVocabulary and General KnowledgeGrammar and Language MechanicsBasic Mathematics and Algebraic EquationsBiology and Cellular ProcessesAnatomy
and PhysiologyChemistry and Chemical ReactionsCritical Thinking and Problem Solving
Introduction
The HESI A2 Entrance Exam serves as a comprehensive assessment tool designed to evaluate the academic readiness of prospective nursing and healthcare students. This
examination measures core competencies across multiple scientific and linguistic disciplines, ensuring candidates possess the foundational knowledge required for rigorous clinical
curricula. The test utilizes a multiple-choice format alongside complex scenario-based queries to challenge the student’s ability to synthesize information. By emphasizing real-world
application, the assessment evaluates not only rote memorization but also critical decision-making skills and professional judgment. This structured approach ensures that successful
candidates are prepared for the ethical and regulatory demands of the healthcare profession.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Which structure is known as the "powerhouse" of the cell due to its role in ATP production?
A. Nucleus
B. Ribosome
🟢 C. Mitochondria
D. Golgi apparatus
🔴 RATIONALE: Mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration and the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), providing energy for cellular functions.
2. Select the word that is used incorrectly in the following sentence: "The nurse gave the patient a compliment on her progress, but the medicine had a negative side
compliment."
A. Nurse
B. Patient
C. Compliment
🟢 D. Side compliment
🔴 RATIONALE: The second use of "compliment" is incorrect. The intended word is "effect" or "affect," though in medical context, "side effect" is the standard term.
3. Solve for x: 4x − 7 = 13.
🟢 A. 5
B. 6
C. 4.5
D. 20
,🔴 RATIONALE: Adding 7 to both sides gives 4x = 20. Dividing by 4 results in x = 5.
4. Which of the following is a chemical property of a substance?
A. Density
B. Melting point
🟢 C. Reactivity with acid
D. Solubility
🔴 RATIONALE: Reactivity describes how a substance undergoes a chemical change to form a new substance, making it a chemical property rather than a physical one.
5. What is the primary function of the large intestine in the human digestive system?
A. Protein digestion
🟢 B. Water absorption and waste solidification
C. Nutrient absorption in the villi
D. Secretion of bile
🔴 RATIONALE: While the small intestine absorbs most nutrients, the large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes, forming solid waste.
6. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of a medication. The pharmacy stocks 125 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
🟢 B. 2 tablets
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 0.5 tablets
🔴 RATIONALE: Dividing the ordered dose (250 mg) by the available dose (125 mg) equals 2 tablets.
7. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating heart rate and breathing?
🟢 A. Medulla oblongata
B. Cerebellum
C. Cerebrum
D. Thalamus
🔴 RATIONALE: The medulla oblongata, part of the brainstem, controls autonomic vital functions such as respiration and heartbeat.
8. Identify the conjunction in the following sentence: "The student studied hard, yet he still felt nervous about the exam."
A. Studied
B. Hard
, 🟢 C. Yet
D. Nervous
🔴 RATIONALE: "Yet" is a coordinating conjunction used to connect two independent clauses.
9. What is the pH of a neutral solution at 25°C?
A. 1
🟢 B. 7
C. 14
D. 0
🔴 RATIONALE: On the pH scale of 0 to 14, 7 represents a neutral solution, such as pure water.
10. In a biological hierarchy, which level comes immediately after "Organ" and before "Organism"?
A. Tissue
🟢 B. Organ System
C. Cell
D. Population
🔴 RATIONALE: Biological organization follows the sequence: Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, and Organism.
11. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a necessary blood transfusion based on religious beliefs. What is the most appropriate ethical action?
A. Administer the blood while the patient is asleep.
B. Convince the family to override the patient's decision.
🟢 C. Respect the patient's autonomy and notify the physician.
D. Discharge the patient immediately for non-compliance.
🔴 RATIONALE: Patient autonomy is a core ethical principle allowing competent patients to refuse treatment, even if it is life-saving.
12. Convert 0.85 to a percentage.
A. 0.85%
B. 8.5%
🟢 C. 85%
D. 850%
🔴 RATIONALE: To convert a decimal to a percentage, multiply by 100 and add the percent sign.
13. Which of the following is the anatomical term for the "breastbone"?
Core Domains
Reading ComprehensionVocabulary and General KnowledgeGrammar and Language MechanicsBasic Mathematics and Algebraic EquationsBiology and Cellular ProcessesAnatomy
and PhysiologyChemistry and Chemical ReactionsCritical Thinking and Problem Solving
Introduction
The HESI A2 Entrance Exam serves as a comprehensive assessment tool designed to evaluate the academic readiness of prospective nursing and healthcare students. This
examination measures core competencies across multiple scientific and linguistic disciplines, ensuring candidates possess the foundational knowledge required for rigorous clinical
curricula. The test utilizes a multiple-choice format alongside complex scenario-based queries to challenge the student’s ability to synthesize information. By emphasizing real-world
application, the assessment evaluates not only rote memorization but also critical decision-making skills and professional judgment. This structured approach ensures that successful
candidates are prepared for the ethical and regulatory demands of the healthcare profession.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Which structure is known as the "powerhouse" of the cell due to its role in ATP production?
A. Nucleus
B. Ribosome
🟢 C. Mitochondria
D. Golgi apparatus
🔴 RATIONALE: Mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration and the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), providing energy for cellular functions.
2. Select the word that is used incorrectly in the following sentence: "The nurse gave the patient a compliment on her progress, but the medicine had a negative side
compliment."
A. Nurse
B. Patient
C. Compliment
🟢 D. Side compliment
🔴 RATIONALE: The second use of "compliment" is incorrect. The intended word is "effect" or "affect," though in medical context, "side effect" is the standard term.
3. Solve for x: 4x − 7 = 13.
🟢 A. 5
B. 6
C. 4.5
D. 20
,🔴 RATIONALE: Adding 7 to both sides gives 4x = 20. Dividing by 4 results in x = 5.
4. Which of the following is a chemical property of a substance?
A. Density
B. Melting point
🟢 C. Reactivity with acid
D. Solubility
🔴 RATIONALE: Reactivity describes how a substance undergoes a chemical change to form a new substance, making it a chemical property rather than a physical one.
5. What is the primary function of the large intestine in the human digestive system?
A. Protein digestion
🟢 B. Water absorption and waste solidification
C. Nutrient absorption in the villi
D. Secretion of bile
🔴 RATIONALE: While the small intestine absorbs most nutrients, the large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes, forming solid waste.
6. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of a medication. The pharmacy stocks 125 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
🟢 B. 2 tablets
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 0.5 tablets
🔴 RATIONALE: Dividing the ordered dose (250 mg) by the available dose (125 mg) equals 2 tablets.
7. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating heart rate and breathing?
🟢 A. Medulla oblongata
B. Cerebellum
C. Cerebrum
D. Thalamus
🔴 RATIONALE: The medulla oblongata, part of the brainstem, controls autonomic vital functions such as respiration and heartbeat.
8. Identify the conjunction in the following sentence: "The student studied hard, yet he still felt nervous about the exam."
A. Studied
B. Hard
, 🟢 C. Yet
D. Nervous
🔴 RATIONALE: "Yet" is a coordinating conjunction used to connect two independent clauses.
9. What is the pH of a neutral solution at 25°C?
A. 1
🟢 B. 7
C. 14
D. 0
🔴 RATIONALE: On the pH scale of 0 to 14, 7 represents a neutral solution, such as pure water.
10. In a biological hierarchy, which level comes immediately after "Organ" and before "Organism"?
A. Tissue
🟢 B. Organ System
C. Cell
D. Population
🔴 RATIONALE: Biological organization follows the sequence: Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, and Organism.
11. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses a necessary blood transfusion based on religious beliefs. What is the most appropriate ethical action?
A. Administer the blood while the patient is asleep.
B. Convince the family to override the patient's decision.
🟢 C. Respect the patient's autonomy and notify the physician.
D. Discharge the patient immediately for non-compliance.
🔴 RATIONALE: Patient autonomy is a core ethical principle allowing competent patients to refuse treatment, even if it is life-saving.
12. Convert 0.85 to a percentage.
A. 0.85%
B. 8.5%
🟢 C. 85%
D. 850%
🔴 RATIONALE: To convert a decimal to a percentage, multiply by 100 and add the percent sign.
13. Which of the following is the anatomical term for the "breastbone"?
