HESI A2 ENTRANCE EXAM 300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE LATEST 2026
ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive set of 300 multiple-choice questions is designed as a
rigorous review for the HESI A2 Entrance Exam, covering all core sections
including mathematics, vocabulary, medical terminology, and grammar. The
math section addresses dosage calculations, fractions, decimals, percentages,
conversions, algebra, temperature conversion, BMI, IV flow rates, exponents,
square roots, and ratios. The vocabulary and medical terminology sections
cover common healthcare terms, prefixes, suffixes, root words, and their
meanings in clinical contexts. The grammar section includes sentence
structure, punctuation, spelling, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and
correct word usage. Each question is followed by the correct answer and a
detailed rationale explaining the reasoning. No questions are repeated,
ensuring broad content coverage suitable for comprehensive exam
preparation and reinforcement of foundational knowledge required for
nursing school admission.
1. A patient is prescribed 500 mg of a medication. The pharmacy supplies it in a
concentration of 250 mg per 2 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 1 mL
B. 2 mL
C. 3 mL
D. 4 mL
Answer: D
Rationale: 250 mg is in 2 mL, so 500 mg is in 4 mL. 250 mg/2 mL = 125 mg/mL.
500 mg / 125 mg/mL = 4 mL. This is a basic ratio and proportion calculation .
2. Convert 5/8 to a decimal.
A. 0.525
B. 0.575
C. 0.625
D. 0.725
Answer: C
,Rationale: To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the
denominator. 5 ÷ 8 = 0.625. This is a foundational math skill for the HESI A2
exam .
3. What is the boiling point of water in Celsius?
A. 50° C
B. 75° C
C. 100° C
D. 212° C
Answer: C
Rationale: The boiling point of water is 100° Celsius and 212° Fahrenheit. This is a
standard measurement conversion fact tested on the exam .
4. How many ounces are in a gallon?
A. 64 ounces
B. 128 ounces
C. 256 ounces
D. 512 ounces
Answer: B
Rationale: There are 128 ounces (oz) in a gallon. This is a standard unit of measure
conversion that frequently appears on the HESI Math section .
5. Evaluate: x^4 - y if x = 3 and y = 20
A. 61
B. 71
C. 81
D. 91
Answer: A
Rationale: Substitute the given values into the expression: 3^4 - 20 = 81 - 20 = 61.
This tests your ability to perform basic algebraic substitution .
6. Solve for x: 3(x − 4) = 18
A. x = 6
B. x = 8
C. x = 10
D. x = 12
Answer: C
Rationale: First, divide both sides by 3: x − 4 = 6. Then, add 4 to both sides: x =
10. This tests your ability to solve a linear equation .
,7. What is 70% of 65?
A. 40.5
B. 42.5
C. 44.5
D. 45.5
Answer: D
Rationale: To find a percentage of a number, convert the percentage to a decimal
and multiply: 0.7 * 65 = 45.5. This is a core concept in the HESI Math section .
8. A nurse's shift is from 1500 to 0100 in military time. When will they get off
work?
A. 1:00 AM
B. 3:00 PM
C. 11:00 PM
D. 1:00 PM
Answer: A
Rationale: Military time 0100 is 1:00 AM. Times 0000-1159 are AM, and 1200-
2359 are PM (subtract 1200). 1500 is 3:00 PM, and 0100 is 1:00 AM. This is part
of standard time conversion knowledge for the exam .
9. Add: 9.43 + 11.3 =
A. 20.73
B. 20.76
C. 21.73
D. 21.76
Answer: A
Rationale: 9.43 + 11.30 = 20.73. Remember to align the decimal points when
adding decimals .
10. What is the meaning of the word "contraindication" in pharmacology?
A. A recommended drug interaction
B. A condition that makes a treatment inadvisable
C. The primary therapeutic use of a medication
D. A preferred route of drug administration
Answer: B
Rationale: A contraindication is a specific condition or factor that makes a
particular treatment or procedure potentially harmful and therefore inadvisable.
This is a key medical vocabulary term .
11. Which of the following is spelled correctly?
, A. Labertory
B. Laberatory
C. Labratory
D. Laboratory
Answer: D
Rationale: "Laboratory" is the correct spelling. This is a common spelling error, so
memorizing the correct spelling is important for the grammar section .
12. Select the word that makes this sentence grammatically correct. "Few students
were able to complete the assignment in the allotted time; ______, the professor
gave them an additional week in which to do the work."
A. despite
B. in fact
C. therefore
D. conversely
Answer: C
Rationale: The second clause is a logical consequence of the first. "Therefore"
indicates a result or conclusion, making the sentence grammatically and logically
correct .
13. Which word is used incorrectly in the following sentence? "Moving stealthy,
the sneaky little boy reached up for the cookie jar on the topmost shelf."
A. stealthy
B. sneaky
C. up
D. topmost
Answer: A
Rationale: The word "stealthy" is an adjective, but it is being used to modify the
verb "moving". The adverb form "stealthily" is required .
14. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. Sarah plays her new saxophone well.
B. Sarah plays her new saxophone good.
C. Sarah plays her new saxophone goodly.
D. Sarah plays her new saxophone best.
Answer: A
Rationale: "Well" is an adverb modifying the verb "plays." "Good" is an adjective
and cannot modify a verb .
15. A synonym is a word ____________ a meaning similar to another word.
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE LATEST 2026
ALREADY GRADED A+
This comprehensive set of 300 multiple-choice questions is designed as a
rigorous review for the HESI A2 Entrance Exam, covering all core sections
including mathematics, vocabulary, medical terminology, and grammar. The
math section addresses dosage calculations, fractions, decimals, percentages,
conversions, algebra, temperature conversion, BMI, IV flow rates, exponents,
square roots, and ratios. The vocabulary and medical terminology sections
cover common healthcare terms, prefixes, suffixes, root words, and their
meanings in clinical contexts. The grammar section includes sentence
structure, punctuation, spelling, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and
correct word usage. Each question is followed by the correct answer and a
detailed rationale explaining the reasoning. No questions are repeated,
ensuring broad content coverage suitable for comprehensive exam
preparation and reinforcement of foundational knowledge required for
nursing school admission.
1. A patient is prescribed 500 mg of a medication. The pharmacy supplies it in a
concentration of 250 mg per 2 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 1 mL
B. 2 mL
C. 3 mL
D. 4 mL
Answer: D
Rationale: 250 mg is in 2 mL, so 500 mg is in 4 mL. 250 mg/2 mL = 125 mg/mL.
500 mg / 125 mg/mL = 4 mL. This is a basic ratio and proportion calculation .
2. Convert 5/8 to a decimal.
A. 0.525
B. 0.575
C. 0.625
D. 0.725
Answer: C
,Rationale: To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the
denominator. 5 ÷ 8 = 0.625. This is a foundational math skill for the HESI A2
exam .
3. What is the boiling point of water in Celsius?
A. 50° C
B. 75° C
C. 100° C
D. 212° C
Answer: C
Rationale: The boiling point of water is 100° Celsius and 212° Fahrenheit. This is a
standard measurement conversion fact tested on the exam .
4. How many ounces are in a gallon?
A. 64 ounces
B. 128 ounces
C. 256 ounces
D. 512 ounces
Answer: B
Rationale: There are 128 ounces (oz) in a gallon. This is a standard unit of measure
conversion that frequently appears on the HESI Math section .
5. Evaluate: x^4 - y if x = 3 and y = 20
A. 61
B. 71
C. 81
D. 91
Answer: A
Rationale: Substitute the given values into the expression: 3^4 - 20 = 81 - 20 = 61.
This tests your ability to perform basic algebraic substitution .
6. Solve for x: 3(x − 4) = 18
A. x = 6
B. x = 8
C. x = 10
D. x = 12
Answer: C
Rationale: First, divide both sides by 3: x − 4 = 6. Then, add 4 to both sides: x =
10. This tests your ability to solve a linear equation .
,7. What is 70% of 65?
A. 40.5
B. 42.5
C. 44.5
D. 45.5
Answer: D
Rationale: To find a percentage of a number, convert the percentage to a decimal
and multiply: 0.7 * 65 = 45.5. This is a core concept in the HESI Math section .
8. A nurse's shift is from 1500 to 0100 in military time. When will they get off
work?
A. 1:00 AM
B. 3:00 PM
C. 11:00 PM
D. 1:00 PM
Answer: A
Rationale: Military time 0100 is 1:00 AM. Times 0000-1159 are AM, and 1200-
2359 are PM (subtract 1200). 1500 is 3:00 PM, and 0100 is 1:00 AM. This is part
of standard time conversion knowledge for the exam .
9. Add: 9.43 + 11.3 =
A. 20.73
B. 20.76
C. 21.73
D. 21.76
Answer: A
Rationale: 9.43 + 11.30 = 20.73. Remember to align the decimal points when
adding decimals .
10. What is the meaning of the word "contraindication" in pharmacology?
A. A recommended drug interaction
B. A condition that makes a treatment inadvisable
C. The primary therapeutic use of a medication
D. A preferred route of drug administration
Answer: B
Rationale: A contraindication is a specific condition or factor that makes a
particular treatment or procedure potentially harmful and therefore inadvisable.
This is a key medical vocabulary term .
11. Which of the following is spelled correctly?
, A. Labertory
B. Laberatory
C. Labratory
D. Laboratory
Answer: D
Rationale: "Laboratory" is the correct spelling. This is a common spelling error, so
memorizing the correct spelling is important for the grammar section .
12. Select the word that makes this sentence grammatically correct. "Few students
were able to complete the assignment in the allotted time; ______, the professor
gave them an additional week in which to do the work."
A. despite
B. in fact
C. therefore
D. conversely
Answer: C
Rationale: The second clause is a logical consequence of the first. "Therefore"
indicates a result or conclusion, making the sentence grammatically and logically
correct .
13. Which word is used incorrectly in the following sentence? "Moving stealthy,
the sneaky little boy reached up for the cookie jar on the topmost shelf."
A. stealthy
B. sneaky
C. up
D. topmost
Answer: A
Rationale: The word "stealthy" is an adjective, but it is being used to modify the
verb "moving". The adverb form "stealthily" is required .
14. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. Sarah plays her new saxophone well.
B. Sarah plays her new saxophone good.
C. Sarah plays her new saxophone goodly.
D. Sarah plays her new saxophone best.
Answer: A
Rationale: "Well" is an adverb modifying the verb "plays." "Good" is an adjective
and cannot modify a verb .
15. A synonym is a word ____________ a meaning similar to another word.
