HESI A2 GRAMMAR EXAM with Questions and
Answers/Plus a Rationale Updated 2026 A+/Instant
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Table of Contents
1. Parts of Speech
2. Subject-Verb Agreement
3. Pronoun Usage
4. Sentence Structure and Fragments
5. Punctuation and Mechanics
6. Commonly Confused Words
7. Sentence Clarity and Conciseness
1. A nurse is reviewing a patient's chart, and she notices that the documentation is inconsistent.
Which of the following sentences uses correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?
A. Each of the nurses must document their findings before they leave the shift.
B. The team of doctors updated its protocol regarding patient triage.
C. Neither the primary surgeon nor the residents could find their misplaced surgical tools.
D. The nursing staff provided their consent for the new scheduling rotation.
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
, Rationale: The collective noun "team" is treated as a singular unit in this context, making the
singular possessive pronoun "its" correct. Option A is incorrect because "Each" is singular,
requiring "his or her" instead of "their." Option C is incorrect because when using
"neither/nor," the pronoun must agree with the closer antecedent "residents," but standard
formal grammar often prefers singular agreement with compound subjects involving collective
nouns; however, B is the most strictly grammatical. Option D is incorrect because "staff" is
treated as a singular unit here, requiring "its."
2. Identify the sentence that demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement in a complex medical
context.
A. The set of diagnostic criteria is necessary for the physician to consider.
B. A series of tests, including blood work and imaging, are scheduled for tomorrow.
C. Ten milliliters of saline were injected into the IV line by the practitioner.
D. Either the medication or the side effects is the cause of the patient's nausea.
Answer: A
CORRECT ANSWER : A
Rationale: The subject is "set," which is singular, requiring the singular verb "is." Option B is
incorrect because the subject is "series," requiring the singular "is." Option C is incorrect
because measurements of volume are typically treated as a singular unit, requiring "was."
Option D is incorrect because with "either/or," the verb must agree with the closer subject
"effects," which is plural, requiring "are."
3. Select the sentence that uses the correct verb tense and mood.
A. If the patient were to experience shortness of breath, the protocol requires immediate
intervention.
B. The doctor requested that the patient stays in the clinic for observation.
C. If I was the charge nurse, I would prioritize the triage cases differently.
D. The student nurse had went to the pharmacy to pick up the requested supplies.
Answer: A
CORRECT ANSWER : A
Rationale: The subjunctive mood "were" is used correctly for a hypothetical or conditional
situation. Option B is incorrect because it should be "stay" (subjunctive mood following a
, request). Option C is incorrect because it should be "were" (hypothetical). Option D is incorrect
because the past participle of "go" is "gone," not "went."
4. Which of the following sentences correctly utilizes punctuation to join independent clauses?
A. The patient reported significant pain; however, the physician decided to delay the analgesic
administration.
B. The laboratory results were inconclusive, consequently the team ordered a second round of
testing.
C. Nurses must adhere to strict sterile techniques; otherwise the patient is at risk for infection.
D. The triage nurse assessed the patient's vitals; but she did not record the time of the initial
reading.
Answer: A
CORRECT ANSWER : A
Rationale: A semicolon is correctly used to join two independent clauses before the conjunctive
adverb "however." Option B is incorrect because it is a comma splice; a semicolon or period is
required before "consequently." Option C is missing a comma after "otherwise." Option D is
incorrect because a comma should not be placed after a semicolon when joining two
independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction.
5. Choose the sentence that avoids a dangling or misplaced modifier.
A. Walking into the recovery room, the patient’s vitals stabilized quickly.
B. Exhausted from the long shift, the patient was tended to by the nurse.
C. To properly monitor the patient, the heart rate must be checked every hour.
D. After administering the medication, the patient was monitored for adverse reactions.
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: The subject of the sentence "the patient" is the one who is exhausted, making the
modifier correctly placed. Option A is incorrect because it implies the vitals were walking.
Option C is incorrect because the heart rate cannot perform the action of monitoring. Option D
is a dangling modifier because it implies the patient administered the medication.
6. Which sentence displays correct usage of commonly confused words?
, A. The nurse was affected by the patient’s tragic recovery process.
B. The long-term affect of the medication remains unknown to the research team.
C. The physician advised the patient to except the proposed treatment plan.
D. The clinic will provide further care for the patient’s condition.
Answer: A
CORRECT ANSWER : A
Rationale: "Affected" is correctly used as a verb meaning to influence. Option B is incorrect
because "effect" (the noun) should be used. Option C is incorrect because "accept" (to receive)
should be used instead of "except" (to exclude). Option D uses "further" correctly, but A is the
most unambiguous demonstration of specific grammar rules regarding "affect/effect."
7. Identify the sentence that correctly uses a superlative adjective.
A. Of the two treatment options, this procedure is the most effective.
B. Between the three nurses, Sarah is the fastest at completing rounds.
C. This is the more severe case of the three patients admitted today.
D. The patient's blood pressure is best than it was yesterday.
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: "Fastest" (superlative) is used correctly when comparing three or more individuals.
Option A is incorrect because "more effective" (comparative) should be used when comparing
two items. Option C is incorrect because "most" should be used for three patients. Option D is
incorrect because "better" (comparative) should be used.
8. Which sentence uses capitalization and punctuation correctly?
A. The patient was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by the endocrinologist.
B. The physician referred the patient to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
C. She asked, "Do you feel any discomfort?"
D. The Surgeon General issued a new health advisory.
Answers/Plus a Rationale Updated 2026 A+/Instant
Download PDF
Table of Contents
1. Parts of Speech
2. Subject-Verb Agreement
3. Pronoun Usage
4. Sentence Structure and Fragments
5. Punctuation and Mechanics
6. Commonly Confused Words
7. Sentence Clarity and Conciseness
1. A nurse is reviewing a patient's chart, and she notices that the documentation is inconsistent.
Which of the following sentences uses correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?
A. Each of the nurses must document their findings before they leave the shift.
B. The team of doctors updated its protocol regarding patient triage.
C. Neither the primary surgeon nor the residents could find their misplaced surgical tools.
D. The nursing staff provided their consent for the new scheduling rotation.
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
, Rationale: The collective noun "team" is treated as a singular unit in this context, making the
singular possessive pronoun "its" correct. Option A is incorrect because "Each" is singular,
requiring "his or her" instead of "their." Option C is incorrect because when using
"neither/nor," the pronoun must agree with the closer antecedent "residents," but standard
formal grammar often prefers singular agreement with compound subjects involving collective
nouns; however, B is the most strictly grammatical. Option D is incorrect because "staff" is
treated as a singular unit here, requiring "its."
2. Identify the sentence that demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement in a complex medical
context.
A. The set of diagnostic criteria is necessary for the physician to consider.
B. A series of tests, including blood work and imaging, are scheduled for tomorrow.
C. Ten milliliters of saline were injected into the IV line by the practitioner.
D. Either the medication or the side effects is the cause of the patient's nausea.
Answer: A
CORRECT ANSWER : A
Rationale: The subject is "set," which is singular, requiring the singular verb "is." Option B is
incorrect because the subject is "series," requiring the singular "is." Option C is incorrect
because measurements of volume are typically treated as a singular unit, requiring "was."
Option D is incorrect because with "either/or," the verb must agree with the closer subject
"effects," which is plural, requiring "are."
3. Select the sentence that uses the correct verb tense and mood.
A. If the patient were to experience shortness of breath, the protocol requires immediate
intervention.
B. The doctor requested that the patient stays in the clinic for observation.
C. If I was the charge nurse, I would prioritize the triage cases differently.
D. The student nurse had went to the pharmacy to pick up the requested supplies.
Answer: A
CORRECT ANSWER : A
Rationale: The subjunctive mood "were" is used correctly for a hypothetical or conditional
situation. Option B is incorrect because it should be "stay" (subjunctive mood following a
, request). Option C is incorrect because it should be "were" (hypothetical). Option D is incorrect
because the past participle of "go" is "gone," not "went."
4. Which of the following sentences correctly utilizes punctuation to join independent clauses?
A. The patient reported significant pain; however, the physician decided to delay the analgesic
administration.
B. The laboratory results were inconclusive, consequently the team ordered a second round of
testing.
C. Nurses must adhere to strict sterile techniques; otherwise the patient is at risk for infection.
D. The triage nurse assessed the patient's vitals; but she did not record the time of the initial
reading.
Answer: A
CORRECT ANSWER : A
Rationale: A semicolon is correctly used to join two independent clauses before the conjunctive
adverb "however." Option B is incorrect because it is a comma splice; a semicolon or period is
required before "consequently." Option C is missing a comma after "otherwise." Option D is
incorrect because a comma should not be placed after a semicolon when joining two
independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction.
5. Choose the sentence that avoids a dangling or misplaced modifier.
A. Walking into the recovery room, the patient’s vitals stabilized quickly.
B. Exhausted from the long shift, the patient was tended to by the nurse.
C. To properly monitor the patient, the heart rate must be checked every hour.
D. After administering the medication, the patient was monitored for adverse reactions.
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: The subject of the sentence "the patient" is the one who is exhausted, making the
modifier correctly placed. Option A is incorrect because it implies the vitals were walking.
Option C is incorrect because the heart rate cannot perform the action of monitoring. Option D
is a dangling modifier because it implies the patient administered the medication.
6. Which sentence displays correct usage of commonly confused words?
, A. The nurse was affected by the patient’s tragic recovery process.
B. The long-term affect of the medication remains unknown to the research team.
C. The physician advised the patient to except the proposed treatment plan.
D. The clinic will provide further care for the patient’s condition.
Answer: A
CORRECT ANSWER : A
Rationale: "Affected" is correctly used as a verb meaning to influence. Option B is incorrect
because "effect" (the noun) should be used. Option C is incorrect because "accept" (to receive)
should be used instead of "except" (to exclude). Option D uses "further" correctly, but A is the
most unambiguous demonstration of specific grammar rules regarding "affect/effect."
7. Identify the sentence that correctly uses a superlative adjective.
A. Of the two treatment options, this procedure is the most effective.
B. Between the three nurses, Sarah is the fastest at completing rounds.
C. This is the more severe case of the three patients admitted today.
D. The patient's blood pressure is best than it was yesterday.
Answer: B
CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: "Fastest" (superlative) is used correctly when comparing three or more individuals.
Option A is incorrect because "more effective" (comparative) should be used when comparing
two items. Option C is incorrect because "most" should be used for three patients. Option D is
incorrect because "better" (comparative) should be used.
8. Which sentence uses capitalization and punctuation correctly?
A. The patient was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by the endocrinologist.
B. The physician referred the patient to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
C. She asked, "Do you feel any discomfort?"
D. The Surgeon General issued a new health advisory.
