HESI A2 Entrance Exam | Verified Questions and Correct Answers | A+ Graded | 2026/2027 Edition
HESI A2 ENTRANCE EXAM
Verified Questions and Correct Answers | A+ Graded | 2026/2027 Edition
Total Questions: 150 Format: Multiple Choice (A-D) Scoring: 1 point each
Section 1: Reading Comprehension (25 Questions)
Assessment areas: main idea, supporting details, author's purpose, inference, tone, context clues, logical conclusions.
Passage 1:
The human heart is a remarkable organ that beats approximately 100,000 times per day, pumping nearly 2,000
gallons of blood through the circulatory system. Located slightly left of center in the chest, the heart is divided
into four chambers: two upper atria and two lower ventricles. The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated
blood from the body and sends it to the lungs, while the left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and
pumps it to the rest of the body. This dual-pump system ensures that oxygen-rich blood reaches every tissue and
organ efficiently.
Q1: What is the main idea of this passage?
A. A. The heart is located in the center of the chest
B. B. The heart is a dual-pump organ that circulates blood throughout the body *[CORRECT]*
C. C. The heart has four chambers called atria and ventricles
D. D. The heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood per hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main idea encompasses the heart's overall function as a dual-pump system circulating blood. Option A is a detail
about location; option C describes anatomy but misses the functional purpose; option D contains a factual error (gallons per day,
not per hour). HESI A2 reading comprehension tests require identifying the central theme, not isolated details.
Q2: According to the passage, which statement is true?
A. A. The left side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood
B. B. The right atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs
C. C. The right side of the heart sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs *[CORRECT]*
D. D. All four chambers of the heart perform the same function
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage explicitly states the right side receives deoxygenated blood and sends it to the lungs. Option A reverses the
roles of the heart sides; option B incorrectly assigns oxygenated blood to the right atrium; option D contradicts the passage's
description of the dual-pump system. HESI A2 evaluates ability to locate explicit textual evidence.
Q3: The word 'efficiently' in the last sentence most nearly means:
A. A. Slowly and carefully
B. B. With minimal waste of effort *[CORRECT]*
C. C. In a dangerous manner
D. D. With great difficulty
Correct Answer: B
Page 1
,HESI A2 Entrance Exam | Verified Questions and Correct Answers | A+ Graded | 2026/2027 Edition
Rationale: In context, 'efficiently' describes the heart's effective circulation with minimal wasted effort. Options A and D suggest
inefficiency, the opposite of the intended meaning. Option C has no contextual support. HESI A2 vocabulary-in-context questions
test the ability to determine word meaning from surrounding text.
Passage 4:
Sleep is essential for maintaining optimal health and cognitive function. During sleep, the brain consolidates
memories, clears metabolic waste products, and repairs neural connections. Research has demonstrated that
adults who consistently sleep fewer than seven hours per night have a significantly higher risk of developing
chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Furthermore, sleep deprivation impairs
attention, decision-making, and reaction time, making drowsy driving as dangerous as driving under the
influence of alcohol.
Q4: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?
A. A. To entertain readers with stories about sleep
B. B. To persuade readers of the critical importance of adequate sleep *[CORRECT]*
C. C. To describe the history of sleep research
D. D. To compare human sleep patterns with those of animals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents evidence about sleep's health benefits and dangers of deprivation, aiming to persuade readers
about sleep's importance. Option A is incorrect as there is no narrative or entertainment element. Option C and D are unsupported
topics. HESI A2 author's purpose questions require identifying whether the intent is to inform, persuade, or entertain.
Q5: Which of the following can be logically inferred from the passage?
A. A. Sleeping more than nine hours per night eliminates all health risks
B. B. A person who sleeps four hours per night may have impaired reaction time *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Sleep research has been conducted for over a century
D. D. Only older adults are affected by sleep deprivation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states fewer than seven hours increases disease risk and impairs reaction time, so four hours (well below
seven) would logically impair reaction time. Option A is an unsupported extreme; option C introduces timeline information not in
the passage; option D contradicts the general reference to 'adults.' HESI A2 inference questions require logical deductions from
stated evidence.
Q6: The tone of this passage can best be described as:
A. A. Humorous and lighthearted
B. B. Informative and cautionary *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Angry and confrontational
D. D. Mystical and spiritual
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about sleep while cautioning about the dangers of deprivation, making
'informative and cautionary' the best description. Option A is incorrect as no humor is present; option C is too aggressive for the
clinical tone; option D has no textual support. HESI A2 tone questions assess the ability to identify the author's emotional stance.
Passage 7:
Vaccination is widely regarded as one of the greatest public health achievements in history. By stimulating the
immune system to produce antibodies against specific pathogens, vaccines provide protection without requiring
exposure to the actual disease. Smallpox, which once killed millions of people annually, was declared eradicated
in 1980 thanks to a global vaccination campaign. Despite this success, vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a
Page 2
,HESI A2 Entrance Exam | Verified Questions and Correct Answers | A+ Graded | 2026/2027 Edition
significant challenge in recent years, fueled by misinformation spread through social media and a general lack
of understanding about how vaccines work.
Q7: What is the main idea of this passage?
A. A. Social media is the primary cause of all health problems
B. B. Vaccines are a critical public health tool, though they face modern challenges *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Smallpox was the most dangerous disease in human history
D. D. The immune system cannot function without vaccines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage covers both the historical success of vaccines and the contemporary challenge of hesitancy. Option A
overstates social media's role; option C focuses on one example rather than the main idea; option D is a misrepresentation of how
the immune system works. HESI A2 main idea questions test the ability to identify the central theme encompassing all key points.
Q8: The word 'eradicated' as used in the passage most nearly means:
A. A. Reduced in number
B. B. Completely eliminated *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Made less dangerous
D. D. Studied extensively
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of disease, 'eradicated' means completely eliminated worldwide. Option A suggests partial reduction,
which is too weak; option C implies the disease still exists in a milder form; option D is unrelated to the meaning. HESI A2 tests
context-based vocabulary using words commonly found in health science literature.
Passage 9:
The nursing profession has evolved significantly since the days of Florence Nightingale. Modern nurses are not
merely caregivers; they are critical thinkers, patient advocates, and essential members of the healthcare team.
Today's nurses must possess strong clinical skills, demonstrate cultural competence, and utilize evidence-based
practice to provide optimal patient outcomes. The demand for qualified nurses continues to grow as the
population ages and healthcare becomes increasingly complex, making nursing one of the most stable and
rewarding career paths in healthcare.
Q9: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of modern nurses?
A. A. Critical thinkers
B. B. Patient advocates
C. C. Merely caregivers *[CORRECT]*
D. D. Evidence-based practitioners
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage explicitly states modern nurses are 'not merely caregivers,' making 'merely caregivers' the characteristic
that does NOT apply. Options A, B, and D are all explicitly listed as modern nursing characteristics. HESI A2 negative questions
require careful reading to identify what is excluded or contradicted.
Q10: The author's attitude toward the nursing profession can best be described as:
A. A. Critical and dismissive
B. B. Enthusiastic and supportive *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Neutral and indifferent
D. D. Confused and uncertain
Correct Answer: B
Page 3
, HESI A2 Entrance Exam | Verified Questions and Correct Answers | A+ Graded | 2026/2027 Edition
Rationale: The author describes nursing as 'stable and rewarding' with 'evolved significantly,' showing clear support and
enthusiasm. Option A contradicts the positive language; option C misreads the clearly positive tone; option D has no textual basis.
HESI A2 author attitude questions test recognition of positive, negative, or neutral stances.
Passage 11:
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to survive exposure to medications that once killed
them or stopped their growth. This phenomenon is accelerated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both
human medicine and agriculture. When patients fail to complete prescribed antibiotic courses, surviving bacteria
may develop resistance and multiply. The World Health Organization has identified antibiotic resistance as one
of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development, warning that without action, common
infections could once again become untreatable.
Q11: Which of the following best describes the cause of antibiotic resistance according to the passage?
A. A. Bacteria naturally becoming stronger over time
B. B. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture *[CORRECT]*
C. C. The World Health Organization failing to regulate medications
D. D. Patients taking too many medications at once
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly identifies 'overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both human medicine and agriculture' as the
accelerator of resistance. Option A is too vague and misses the human behavioral factor; option C misrepresents the WHO's role;
option D describes polypharmacy, not antibiotic resistance. HESI A2 supporting detail questions test ability to locate specific
causes in the text.
Q12: What can be inferred about a patient who stops taking antibiotics early?
A. A. The patient will fully recover faster
B. B. Surviving bacteria may develop resistance and multiply *[CORRECT]*
C. C. The medication will become stronger in the patient's system
D. D. The patient's immune system will permanently weaken
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that when patients fail to complete courses, 'surviving bacteria may develop resistance and
multiply.' Option A contradicts medical evidence; option C is scientifically inaccurate; option D is an unsupported extrapolation.
HESI A2 inference questions require conclusions drawn directly from textual evidence.
Passage 13:
The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that processes food into nutrients the body
can absorb and use. Digestion begins in the mouth, where enzymes in saliva begin breaking down carbohydrates.
The food then travels through the esophagus to the stomach, where gastric acids and enzymes further break it
down. The small intestine is where most nutrient absorption occurs, with its villi increasing the surface area for
efficient uptake. The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes before waste is eliminated.
Q13: Where does most nutrient absorption take place?
A. A. In the mouth
B. B. In the stomach
C. C. In the small intestine *[CORRECT]*
D. D. In the large intestine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage explicitly states 'The small intestine is where most nutrient absorption occurs.' Options A and B are
digestion sites, not primary absorption sites. Option D absorbs water and electrolytes, not most nutrients. HESI A2 tests ability to
Page 4
HESI A2 ENTRANCE EXAM
Verified Questions and Correct Answers | A+ Graded | 2026/2027 Edition
Total Questions: 150 Format: Multiple Choice (A-D) Scoring: 1 point each
Section 1: Reading Comprehension (25 Questions)
Assessment areas: main idea, supporting details, author's purpose, inference, tone, context clues, logical conclusions.
Passage 1:
The human heart is a remarkable organ that beats approximately 100,000 times per day, pumping nearly 2,000
gallons of blood through the circulatory system. Located slightly left of center in the chest, the heart is divided
into four chambers: two upper atria and two lower ventricles. The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated
blood from the body and sends it to the lungs, while the left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and
pumps it to the rest of the body. This dual-pump system ensures that oxygen-rich blood reaches every tissue and
organ efficiently.
Q1: What is the main idea of this passage?
A. A. The heart is located in the center of the chest
B. B. The heart is a dual-pump organ that circulates blood throughout the body *[CORRECT]*
C. C. The heart has four chambers called atria and ventricles
D. D. The heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood per hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main idea encompasses the heart's overall function as a dual-pump system circulating blood. Option A is a detail
about location; option C describes anatomy but misses the functional purpose; option D contains a factual error (gallons per day,
not per hour). HESI A2 reading comprehension tests require identifying the central theme, not isolated details.
Q2: According to the passage, which statement is true?
A. A. The left side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood
B. B. The right atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs
C. C. The right side of the heart sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs *[CORRECT]*
D. D. All four chambers of the heart perform the same function
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage explicitly states the right side receives deoxygenated blood and sends it to the lungs. Option A reverses the
roles of the heart sides; option B incorrectly assigns oxygenated blood to the right atrium; option D contradicts the passage's
description of the dual-pump system. HESI A2 evaluates ability to locate explicit textual evidence.
Q3: The word 'efficiently' in the last sentence most nearly means:
A. A. Slowly and carefully
B. B. With minimal waste of effort *[CORRECT]*
C. C. In a dangerous manner
D. D. With great difficulty
Correct Answer: B
Page 1
,HESI A2 Entrance Exam | Verified Questions and Correct Answers | A+ Graded | 2026/2027 Edition
Rationale: In context, 'efficiently' describes the heart's effective circulation with minimal wasted effort. Options A and D suggest
inefficiency, the opposite of the intended meaning. Option C has no contextual support. HESI A2 vocabulary-in-context questions
test the ability to determine word meaning from surrounding text.
Passage 4:
Sleep is essential for maintaining optimal health and cognitive function. During sleep, the brain consolidates
memories, clears metabolic waste products, and repairs neural connections. Research has demonstrated that
adults who consistently sleep fewer than seven hours per night have a significantly higher risk of developing
chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Furthermore, sleep deprivation impairs
attention, decision-making, and reaction time, making drowsy driving as dangerous as driving under the
influence of alcohol.
Q4: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?
A. A. To entertain readers with stories about sleep
B. B. To persuade readers of the critical importance of adequate sleep *[CORRECT]*
C. C. To describe the history of sleep research
D. D. To compare human sleep patterns with those of animals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents evidence about sleep's health benefits and dangers of deprivation, aiming to persuade readers
about sleep's importance. Option A is incorrect as there is no narrative or entertainment element. Option C and D are unsupported
topics. HESI A2 author's purpose questions require identifying whether the intent is to inform, persuade, or entertain.
Q5: Which of the following can be logically inferred from the passage?
A. A. Sleeping more than nine hours per night eliminates all health risks
B. B. A person who sleeps four hours per night may have impaired reaction time *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Sleep research has been conducted for over a century
D. D. Only older adults are affected by sleep deprivation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states fewer than seven hours increases disease risk and impairs reaction time, so four hours (well below
seven) would logically impair reaction time. Option A is an unsupported extreme; option C introduces timeline information not in
the passage; option D contradicts the general reference to 'adults.' HESI A2 inference questions require logical deductions from
stated evidence.
Q6: The tone of this passage can best be described as:
A. A. Humorous and lighthearted
B. B. Informative and cautionary *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Angry and confrontational
D. D. Mystical and spiritual
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about sleep while cautioning about the dangers of deprivation, making
'informative and cautionary' the best description. Option A is incorrect as no humor is present; option C is too aggressive for the
clinical tone; option D has no textual support. HESI A2 tone questions assess the ability to identify the author's emotional stance.
Passage 7:
Vaccination is widely regarded as one of the greatest public health achievements in history. By stimulating the
immune system to produce antibodies against specific pathogens, vaccines provide protection without requiring
exposure to the actual disease. Smallpox, which once killed millions of people annually, was declared eradicated
in 1980 thanks to a global vaccination campaign. Despite this success, vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a
Page 2
,HESI A2 Entrance Exam | Verified Questions and Correct Answers | A+ Graded | 2026/2027 Edition
significant challenge in recent years, fueled by misinformation spread through social media and a general lack
of understanding about how vaccines work.
Q7: What is the main idea of this passage?
A. A. Social media is the primary cause of all health problems
B. B. Vaccines are a critical public health tool, though they face modern challenges *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Smallpox was the most dangerous disease in human history
D. D. The immune system cannot function without vaccines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage covers both the historical success of vaccines and the contemporary challenge of hesitancy. Option A
overstates social media's role; option C focuses on one example rather than the main idea; option D is a misrepresentation of how
the immune system works. HESI A2 main idea questions test the ability to identify the central theme encompassing all key points.
Q8: The word 'eradicated' as used in the passage most nearly means:
A. A. Reduced in number
B. B. Completely eliminated *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Made less dangerous
D. D. Studied extensively
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of disease, 'eradicated' means completely eliminated worldwide. Option A suggests partial reduction,
which is too weak; option C implies the disease still exists in a milder form; option D is unrelated to the meaning. HESI A2 tests
context-based vocabulary using words commonly found in health science literature.
Passage 9:
The nursing profession has evolved significantly since the days of Florence Nightingale. Modern nurses are not
merely caregivers; they are critical thinkers, patient advocates, and essential members of the healthcare team.
Today's nurses must possess strong clinical skills, demonstrate cultural competence, and utilize evidence-based
practice to provide optimal patient outcomes. The demand for qualified nurses continues to grow as the
population ages and healthcare becomes increasingly complex, making nursing one of the most stable and
rewarding career paths in healthcare.
Q9: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of modern nurses?
A. A. Critical thinkers
B. B. Patient advocates
C. C. Merely caregivers *[CORRECT]*
D. D. Evidence-based practitioners
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage explicitly states modern nurses are 'not merely caregivers,' making 'merely caregivers' the characteristic
that does NOT apply. Options A, B, and D are all explicitly listed as modern nursing characteristics. HESI A2 negative questions
require careful reading to identify what is excluded or contradicted.
Q10: The author's attitude toward the nursing profession can best be described as:
A. A. Critical and dismissive
B. B. Enthusiastic and supportive *[CORRECT]*
C. C. Neutral and indifferent
D. D. Confused and uncertain
Correct Answer: B
Page 3
, HESI A2 Entrance Exam | Verified Questions and Correct Answers | A+ Graded | 2026/2027 Edition
Rationale: The author describes nursing as 'stable and rewarding' with 'evolved significantly,' showing clear support and
enthusiasm. Option A contradicts the positive language; option C misreads the clearly positive tone; option D has no textual basis.
HESI A2 author attitude questions test recognition of positive, negative, or neutral stances.
Passage 11:
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to survive exposure to medications that once killed
them or stopped their growth. This phenomenon is accelerated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both
human medicine and agriculture. When patients fail to complete prescribed antibiotic courses, surviving bacteria
may develop resistance and multiply. The World Health Organization has identified antibiotic resistance as one
of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development, warning that without action, common
infections could once again become untreatable.
Q11: Which of the following best describes the cause of antibiotic resistance according to the passage?
A. A. Bacteria naturally becoming stronger over time
B. B. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture *[CORRECT]*
C. C. The World Health Organization failing to regulate medications
D. D. Patients taking too many medications at once
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly identifies 'overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both human medicine and agriculture' as the
accelerator of resistance. Option A is too vague and misses the human behavioral factor; option C misrepresents the WHO's role;
option D describes polypharmacy, not antibiotic resistance. HESI A2 supporting detail questions test ability to locate specific
causes in the text.
Q12: What can be inferred about a patient who stops taking antibiotics early?
A. A. The patient will fully recover faster
B. B. Surviving bacteria may develop resistance and multiply *[CORRECT]*
C. C. The medication will become stronger in the patient's system
D. D. The patient's immune system will permanently weaken
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that when patients fail to complete courses, 'surviving bacteria may develop resistance and
multiply.' Option A contradicts medical evidence; option C is scientifically inaccurate; option D is an unsupported extrapolation.
HESI A2 inference questions require conclusions drawn directly from textual evidence.
Passage 13:
The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that processes food into nutrients the body
can absorb and use. Digestion begins in the mouth, where enzymes in saliva begin breaking down carbohydrates.
The food then travels through the esophagus to the stomach, where gastric acids and enzymes further break it
down. The small intestine is where most nutrient absorption occurs, with its villi increasing the surface area for
efficient uptake. The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes before waste is eliminated.
Q13: Where does most nutrient absorption take place?
A. A. In the mouth
B. B. In the stomach
C. C. In the small intestine *[CORRECT]*
D. D. In the large intestine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage explicitly states 'The small intestine is where most nutrient absorption occurs.' Options A and B are
digestion sites, not primary absorption sites. Option D absorbs water and electrolytes, not most nutrients. HESI A2 tests ability to
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