HESI A2 Admission Assessment 2026 Complete
Exam Questions with Detailed Correct
Solutions
HESI A2 FULL PRACTICE EXAM
Section 1: Reading Comprehension (5 questions)
Passage:
The integumentary system includes the skin, hair, nails, and glands. The skin is the
largest organ and acts as a barrier against pathogens, UV radiation, and chemicals.
It also regulates body temperature through sweat glands and blood vessel
dilation. The epidermis is the outermost layer, composed mainly of keratinocytes,
while the dermis contains blood vessels, nerves, and hair follicles.
1. What is the primary function of the skin mentioned in the passage?
A) Producing vitamin D
B) Acting as a barrier against pathogens
C) Storing fat
D) Manufacturing blood cells
Rationale: The passage explicitly states the skin "acts as a barrier against
pathogens, UV radiation, and chemicals."
2. Which layer contains blood vessels?
A) Epidermis
B) Dermis
C) Hypodermis
D) Stratum corneum
Rationale: The passage says "dermis contains blood vessels, nerves, and hair
follicles."
,3. The author’s tone is best described as:
A) Persuasive
B) Informative
C) Entertaining
D) Argumentative
Rationale: The passage presents factual information without opinion or emotional
language.
4. Based on the passage, sweat glands help with:
A) Protection from UV rays
B) Temperature regulation
C) Production of keratin
D) Sensation of touch
Rationale: "Regulates body temperature through sweat glands and blood vessel
dilation."
5. The word "keratinocytes" refers to:
A) Nerve cells in the dermis
B) Cells in the epidermis
C) Sweat gland cells
D) Blood cells
Rationale: The passage states epidermis is composed mainly of keratinocytes.
Section 2: Vocabulary & General Knowledge (10 questions)
6. What does "edema" mean?
A) Vomiting
B) Swelling from fluid retention
C) Difficulty breathing
D) Low blood pressure
Rationale: Edema = abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues.
, 7. A synonym for "laceration" is:
A) Bruise
B) Cut
C) Burn
D) Rash
Rationale: Laceration = a deep cut or tear in the skin.
8. "Contraindication" means:
A) A reason to perform a procedure
B) A reason to avoid a treatment
C) A side effect of medication
D) A type of diagnosis
Rationale: Contraindication = a condition that makes a treatment inadvisable.
9. "Prone" position means:
A) Lying face up
B) Lying face down
C) Sitting upright
D) Standing
Rationale: Prone = face down; supine = face up.
10. "Febrile" means:
A) Feverish
B) Cold
C) Weak
D) Nauseated
Rationale: Febrile = related to fever (from Latin febris).
11. Which term means "surgical removal of the appendix"?
A) Appendicitis
B) Appendectomy
C) Colostomy
D) Laparotomy
Exam Questions with Detailed Correct
Solutions
HESI A2 FULL PRACTICE EXAM
Section 1: Reading Comprehension (5 questions)
Passage:
The integumentary system includes the skin, hair, nails, and glands. The skin is the
largest organ and acts as a barrier against pathogens, UV radiation, and chemicals.
It also regulates body temperature through sweat glands and blood vessel
dilation. The epidermis is the outermost layer, composed mainly of keratinocytes,
while the dermis contains blood vessels, nerves, and hair follicles.
1. What is the primary function of the skin mentioned in the passage?
A) Producing vitamin D
B) Acting as a barrier against pathogens
C) Storing fat
D) Manufacturing blood cells
Rationale: The passage explicitly states the skin "acts as a barrier against
pathogens, UV radiation, and chemicals."
2. Which layer contains blood vessels?
A) Epidermis
B) Dermis
C) Hypodermis
D) Stratum corneum
Rationale: The passage says "dermis contains blood vessels, nerves, and hair
follicles."
,3. The author’s tone is best described as:
A) Persuasive
B) Informative
C) Entertaining
D) Argumentative
Rationale: The passage presents factual information without opinion or emotional
language.
4. Based on the passage, sweat glands help with:
A) Protection from UV rays
B) Temperature regulation
C) Production of keratin
D) Sensation of touch
Rationale: "Regulates body temperature through sweat glands and blood vessel
dilation."
5. The word "keratinocytes" refers to:
A) Nerve cells in the dermis
B) Cells in the epidermis
C) Sweat gland cells
D) Blood cells
Rationale: The passage states epidermis is composed mainly of keratinocytes.
Section 2: Vocabulary & General Knowledge (10 questions)
6. What does "edema" mean?
A) Vomiting
B) Swelling from fluid retention
C) Difficulty breathing
D) Low blood pressure
Rationale: Edema = abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues.
, 7. A synonym for "laceration" is:
A) Bruise
B) Cut
C) Burn
D) Rash
Rationale: Laceration = a deep cut or tear in the skin.
8. "Contraindication" means:
A) A reason to perform a procedure
B) A reason to avoid a treatment
C) A side effect of medication
D) A type of diagnosis
Rationale: Contraindication = a condition that makes a treatment inadvisable.
9. "Prone" position means:
A) Lying face up
B) Lying face down
C) Sitting upright
D) Standing
Rationale: Prone = face down; supine = face up.
10. "Febrile" means:
A) Feverish
B) Cold
C) Weak
D) Nauseated
Rationale: Febrile = related to fever (from Latin febris).
11. Which term means "surgical removal of the appendix"?
A) Appendicitis
B) Appendectomy
C) Colostomy
D) Laparotomy
