HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam ACTUAL
EXAM – 8 Questions & Verified Answers Latest
Update
READING COMPREHENSION
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. entertain the reader with a humorous story
B. persuade the reader to adopt a healthier diet
C. inform the reader about the causes of hypertension
D. describe the author’s personal experience with heart disease
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage objectively explains risk factors, prevalence, and mechanisms
of hypertension; it neither tells a joke (A), urges dietary change (B), nor recounts a
personal narrative (D).
2. Which statement from the passage is an opinion rather than a fact?
A. “Hypertension affects nearly half of all adults in the United States.”
B. “Reducing sodium intake can lower blood pressure in salt-sensitive
individuals.”
C. “The medical community should prioritize aggressive screening for
hypertension.”
D. “Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).”
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: “Should prioritize” expresses a judgment; the other choices are verifiable
data.
3. The author’s tone can best be described as
A. cautious and analytical
B. bitter and resentful
C. light-hearted and comic
D. romantic and nostalgic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The author carefully weighs evidence and qualifies statements; no emotional
or comic language appears.
4. According to the passage, which nutrient is most directly linked to elevated blood
pressure?
A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Vitamin C
D. Fiber
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly ties excess sodium to hypertension; the other
nutrients are not implicated.
5. The passage implies that lifestyle modification is
A. rarely effective without medication
B. more costly than drug therapy
C. potentially sufficient for some patients
D. contraindicated in elderly adults
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The text states “for many stage-1 patients, lifestyle changes alone can
normalize pressure,” supporting C. A, B, and D are unsupported or contradicted.
6. In paragraph 3, the word “prevalence” most nearly means
A. acceptance
B. rarity
C. widespread occurrence
D. intensity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Prevalence” refers to how common a condition is; the context cites
population percentages.
7. Which detail best supports the conclusion that hypertension is under-diagnosed?
A. “Often called the ‘silent killer,’ hypertension may present no symptoms for
years.”
B. “African-Americans have higher average blood pressures than Caucasians.”
C. “The DASH diet lowers systolic pressure by 8–14 mmHg.”
D. “Insurance coverage for antihypertensives has improved since 2010.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lack of symptoms leads to missed diagnoses, directly supporting
under-diagnosis; the other choices address epidemiology, treatment, or policy.
8. The passage is organized primarily by
A. chronological order
B. cause-and-effect
EXAM – 8 Questions & Verified Answers Latest
Update
READING COMPREHENSION
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. entertain the reader with a humorous story
B. persuade the reader to adopt a healthier diet
C. inform the reader about the causes of hypertension
D. describe the author’s personal experience with heart disease
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage objectively explains risk factors, prevalence, and mechanisms
of hypertension; it neither tells a joke (A), urges dietary change (B), nor recounts a
personal narrative (D).
2. Which statement from the passage is an opinion rather than a fact?
A. “Hypertension affects nearly half of all adults in the United States.”
B. “Reducing sodium intake can lower blood pressure in salt-sensitive
individuals.”
C. “The medical community should prioritize aggressive screening for
hypertension.”
D. “Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).”
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: “Should prioritize” expresses a judgment; the other choices are verifiable
data.
3. The author’s tone can best be described as
A. cautious and analytical
B. bitter and resentful
C. light-hearted and comic
D. romantic and nostalgic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The author carefully weighs evidence and qualifies statements; no emotional
or comic language appears.
4. According to the passage, which nutrient is most directly linked to elevated blood
pressure?
A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Vitamin C
D. Fiber
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly ties excess sodium to hypertension; the other
nutrients are not implicated.
5. The passage implies that lifestyle modification is
A. rarely effective without medication
B. more costly than drug therapy
C. potentially sufficient for some patients
D. contraindicated in elderly adults
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The text states “for many stage-1 patients, lifestyle changes alone can
normalize pressure,” supporting C. A, B, and D are unsupported or contradicted.
6. In paragraph 3, the word “prevalence” most nearly means
A. acceptance
B. rarity
C. widespread occurrence
D. intensity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: “Prevalence” refers to how common a condition is; the context cites
population percentages.
7. Which detail best supports the conclusion that hypertension is under-diagnosed?
A. “Often called the ‘silent killer,’ hypertension may present no symptoms for
years.”
B. “African-Americans have higher average blood pressures than Caucasians.”
C. “The DASH diet lowers systolic pressure by 8–14 mmHg.”
D. “Insurance coverage for antihypertensives has improved since 2010.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lack of symptoms leads to missed diagnoses, directly supporting
under-diagnosis; the other choices address epidemiology, treatment, or policy.
8. The passage is organized primarily by
A. chronological order
B. cause-and-effect
