1
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY HESI ENTRANCE EXAM – ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (LATEST 2026/2027
UPDATE) | COMPLETE Q&A WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
DETAILED RATIONALES | HESI A2 PREP | A+ GRADED
Core Domains
1. Mathematics: Basic Operations, Fractions, Decimals, Ratios, Proportions,
Percentages, Algebra, and Conversions
2. Reading Comprehension: Main Ideas, Supporting Details, Inference, Vocabulary
in Context, and Author’s Purpose
3. Vocabulary and General Knowledge: Medical Terminology, Word Roots,
Prefixes, Suffixes, and Context Clues
4. Grammar: Parts of Speech, Sentence Structure, Subject-Verb Agreement, and
Common Errors
5. Biology: Cell Structure, Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology, and Ecosystems
6. Chemistry: Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Chemical Equations, Bonding, and
Molarity
7. Anatomy and Physiology: Body Systems, Organ Functions, Directional Terms,
and Homeostasis
8. Critical Thinking: Logic, Problem Solving, and Data Analysis
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is tailored for students preparing for the West
Coast University HESI Entrance Exam (HESI A2). The 100 original multiple-choice
questions cover all eight core domains, mirroring the exam’s structure and
difficulty. Each question is designed to evaluate critical thinking, subject
knowledge, and problem-solving skills essential for success in nursing and health
professions programs. Detailed rationales accompany every answer to reinforce
learning and clarify misconceptions. The test bank incorporates real-world
applications and clinical relevance, ensuring a thorough review. This resource is
your definitive study partner, updated for the 2026/2027 academic year, and
crafted to help you achieve a competitive score on exam day.
pg. 1
,2
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient’s temperature is 38.5°C. Convert this temperature to Fahrenheit.
(Formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32)
A. 99.3°F
B. 100.3°F
C. 101.3°F
D. 102.3°F
C. 101.3°F
RATIONALE: First multiply 38.5 by 9/5, which is 38.5 × 1.8 = 69.3. Then add 32:
69.3 + 32 = 101.3°F. This conversion is essential for interpreting patient vitals. A
common error is misplacing the decimal or forgetting to add 32.
2. Which word means “a forecast of the likely course of a disease”?
A. Diagnosis
B. Prognosis
C. Pathology
D. Etiology
B. Prognosis
RATIONALE: Prognosis refers to the predicted outcome of a disease. Diagnosis
is the identification of the disease, pathology is the study of disease, and etiology
is the cause. This is a key medical vocabulary term.
3. Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.
A. The nurse, along with the doctors, were in the room.
B. The nurse, along with the doctors, are in the room.
C. The nurse, along with the doctors, is in the room.
D. The nurse, along with the doctors, be in the room.
C. The nurse, along with the doctors, is in the room.
RATIONALE: The subject is “the nurse,” which is singular. Phrases like “along
with” do not change the number of the subject. Therefore, the verb must be
singular “is.” This tests subject-verb agreement.
4. What is the primary function of mitochondria in a cell?
A. Protein synthesis
B. Lipid storage
pg. 2
, 3
C. ATP production
D. Detoxification
C. ATP production
RATIONALE: Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, generating
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation. Ribosomes
handle protein synthesis, lipids are stored in vesicles, and detoxification occurs
mainly in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
5. In the periodic table, elements in the same group share what characteristic?
A. Same atomic mass
B. Same number of electron shells
C. Same number of valence electrons
D. Same number of protons
C. Same number of valence electrons
RATIONALE: Elements in a group (vertical column) have similar chemical
properties because they have the same number of valence electrons. The number
of electron shells increases down the group, and atomic mass differs.
6. Which body plane divides the body into left and right halves?
A. Coronal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Sagittal plane
D. Frontal plane
C. Sagittal plane
RATIONALE: The sagittal plane (specifically midsagittal) divides the body into
left and right portions. The coronal (frontal) plane divides anterior and posterior,
and the transverse plane divides superior and inferior.
7. Read the following passage and answer the question. “The digital revolution
has transformed how healthcare providers access information. Electronic health
records (EHRs) have replaced paper charts, allowing for more efficient data
retrieval and improved patient care. However, concerns about privacy and data
security remain paramount.” What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Paper charts are superior to EHRs.
B. EHRs improve efficiency but raise privacy concerns.
C. Data security is no longer an issue with EHRs.
pg. 3
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY HESI ENTRANCE EXAM – ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (LATEST 2026/2027
UPDATE) | COMPLETE Q&A WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
DETAILED RATIONALES | HESI A2 PREP | A+ GRADED
Core Domains
1. Mathematics: Basic Operations, Fractions, Decimals, Ratios, Proportions,
Percentages, Algebra, and Conversions
2. Reading Comprehension: Main Ideas, Supporting Details, Inference, Vocabulary
in Context, and Author’s Purpose
3. Vocabulary and General Knowledge: Medical Terminology, Word Roots,
Prefixes, Suffixes, and Context Clues
4. Grammar: Parts of Speech, Sentence Structure, Subject-Verb Agreement, and
Common Errors
5. Biology: Cell Structure, Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology, and Ecosystems
6. Chemistry: Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Chemical Equations, Bonding, and
Molarity
7. Anatomy and Physiology: Body Systems, Organ Functions, Directional Terms,
and Homeostasis
8. Critical Thinking: Logic, Problem Solving, and Data Analysis
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is tailored for students preparing for the West
Coast University HESI Entrance Exam (HESI A2). The 100 original multiple-choice
questions cover all eight core domains, mirroring the exam’s structure and
difficulty. Each question is designed to evaluate critical thinking, subject
knowledge, and problem-solving skills essential for success in nursing and health
professions programs. Detailed rationales accompany every answer to reinforce
learning and clarify misconceptions. The test bank incorporates real-world
applications and clinical relevance, ensuring a thorough review. This resource is
your definitive study partner, updated for the 2026/2027 academic year, and
crafted to help you achieve a competitive score on exam day.
pg. 1
,2
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient’s temperature is 38.5°C. Convert this temperature to Fahrenheit.
(Formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32)
A. 99.3°F
B. 100.3°F
C. 101.3°F
D. 102.3°F
C. 101.3°F
RATIONALE: First multiply 38.5 by 9/5, which is 38.5 × 1.8 = 69.3. Then add 32:
69.3 + 32 = 101.3°F. This conversion is essential for interpreting patient vitals. A
common error is misplacing the decimal or forgetting to add 32.
2. Which word means “a forecast of the likely course of a disease”?
A. Diagnosis
B. Prognosis
C. Pathology
D. Etiology
B. Prognosis
RATIONALE: Prognosis refers to the predicted outcome of a disease. Diagnosis
is the identification of the disease, pathology is the study of disease, and etiology
is the cause. This is a key medical vocabulary term.
3. Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.
A. The nurse, along with the doctors, were in the room.
B. The nurse, along with the doctors, are in the room.
C. The nurse, along with the doctors, is in the room.
D. The nurse, along with the doctors, be in the room.
C. The nurse, along with the doctors, is in the room.
RATIONALE: The subject is “the nurse,” which is singular. Phrases like “along
with” do not change the number of the subject. Therefore, the verb must be
singular “is.” This tests subject-verb agreement.
4. What is the primary function of mitochondria in a cell?
A. Protein synthesis
B. Lipid storage
pg. 2
, 3
C. ATP production
D. Detoxification
C. ATP production
RATIONALE: Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, generating
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation. Ribosomes
handle protein synthesis, lipids are stored in vesicles, and detoxification occurs
mainly in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
5. In the periodic table, elements in the same group share what characteristic?
A. Same atomic mass
B. Same number of electron shells
C. Same number of valence electrons
D. Same number of protons
C. Same number of valence electrons
RATIONALE: Elements in a group (vertical column) have similar chemical
properties because they have the same number of valence electrons. The number
of electron shells increases down the group, and atomic mass differs.
6. Which body plane divides the body into left and right halves?
A. Coronal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Sagittal plane
D. Frontal plane
C. Sagittal plane
RATIONALE: The sagittal plane (specifically midsagittal) divides the body into
left and right portions. The coronal (frontal) plane divides anterior and posterior,
and the transverse plane divides superior and inferior.
7. Read the following passage and answer the question. “The digital revolution
has transformed how healthcare providers access information. Electronic health
records (EHRs) have replaced paper charts, allowing for more efficient data
retrieval and improved patient care. However, concerns about privacy and data
security remain paramount.” What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Paper charts are superior to EHRs.
B. EHRs improve efficiency but raise privacy concerns.
C. Data security is no longer an issue with EHRs.
pg. 3
