LPN HESI ENTRANCE EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A
success in rigorous LPN curricula, aligned with current Elsevier HESI test blueprints, LPN program
admission standards, and undergraduate science competency frameworks. This document presents all 150
exam-style questions with verified correct answers, detailed rationales, and comprehensive academic
explanations to support candidate preparation and self-assessment across all tested domains.
Keywords: LPN HESI Entrance Exam, Elsevier Evolve, Academic Readiness Assessment, Reading
Comprehension, Mathematics, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Vocational Nursing
Admission
Examination Overview
Domain Questions Key Topics Weight
Reading Comprehension 25 Main Idea, Inference, Vocabulary-in-Context, Passage 17%
Analysis, Critical Thinking, Author’s Purpose
Vocabulary & General 20 Medical Terminology, Word Roots/Prefixes/Suffixes, 13%
Knowledge Synonyms/Antonyms, Context Clues
Grammar 20 Parts of Speech, Sentence Structure, Punctuation, 13%
Subject-Verb Agreement, Common Errors
Mathematics 30 Basic Math, Fractions, Decimals, Ratios, Proportions, 20%
Dosage Calculations, Algebra, Word Problems
Anatomy & Physiology 25 Body Systems, Homeostasis, Tissues, Organ 17%
Functions, Basic Pathophysiology Concepts
Biology & Chemistry 30 Cell Structure, Genetics, Chemical Bonds, Reactions, 20%
Acids/Bases, Scientific Method
Sample Examination Questions
Domain: Reading Comprehension
1. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"Hand hygiene remains the single most effective intervention for preventing healthcare-
associated infections. The CDC recommends that healthcare personnel clean their hands
with alcohol-based hand rub or wash with soap and water before and after patient contact.
Despite these guidelines, compliance averages only 40-50% in most studies."
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Healthcare workers should wear gloves at all times
B. Hand hygiene is the most effective method for preventing infections, yet compliance remains
suboptimal
C. Alcohol-based hand rubs are superior to soap and water
, D. The CDC has issued new guidelines for 2026
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage emphasizes that hand hygiene is the most effective intervention for preventing
HAIs, while also noting that compliance rates remain low (40-50%). Option A is incorrect because the
passage does not state gloves should be worn at all times. Option C is not supported—the passage
presents both methods as recommended. Option D is incorrect; the passage references CDC
recommendations but does not mention new 2026 guidelines. The main idea synthesizes both the
importance of hand hygiene and the challenge of achieving compliance.
2. In the context of the passage, what does the word "compliance" most likely mean?
A. Resistance to following rules
B. Adherence to recommended practices or guidelines
C. Financial compensation for services
D. Medical diagnosis of a condition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In healthcare contexts, "compliance" refers to adherence to recommended practices or
guidelines—in this case, following hand hygiene protocols. Resistance (A) is the opposite of compliance.
Financial compensation (C) and medical diagnosis (D) are unrelated to the contextual meaning.
Understanding vocabulary in context is essential for reading comprehension success.
3. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often experience dyspnea
during physical exertion. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs that include exercise
training, breathing strategies, and patient education have been shown to reduce dyspnea
and improve quality of life. However, referral rates to pulmonary rehabilitation remain
below 5% of eligible patients."
Which of the following best describes the author’s purpose in this passage?
A. To describe the pathology of COPD in detail
B. To advocate for increased referral to pulmonary rehabilitation programs
C. To compare different treatment options for COPD
D. To explain the causes of dyspnea in COPD patients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents evidence that pulmonary rehabilitation reduces dyspnea and improves
quality of life, then highlights the low referral rate (below 5%), implying that more patients should be
referred. This structure suggests advocacy rather than purely descriptive or comparative purposes.
Option A is incorrect because the passage does not detail COPD pathology. Option C is incorrect because
no comparison of treatments is provided. Option D is incorrect because causes of dyspnea are not
explained.
4. Based on the passage about COPD, what can be inferred about the relationship between
rehabilitation and patient outcomes?
A. Rehabilitation completely cures COPD symptoms
B. Exercise training alone is sufficient to manage COPD
, C. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation improves functional status in COPD patients
D. Patient education has no measurable impact on COPD outcomes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage states that programs including exercise, breathing strategies, and education
reduce dyspnea and improve quality of life. This implies a multidisciplinary approach improves
outcomes. Option A overstates the evidence—rehabilitation reduces symptoms but does not cure COPD.
Option B is incorrect because the passage describes multiple components, not exercise alone. Option D
contradicts the passage, which lists education as part of effective programs.
5. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"The nursing process consists of five sequential steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. While the steps are presented linearly, the process is
dynamic and cyclical. Evaluation may lead the nurse back to reassessment, revised
diagnoses, or modified plans of care. This iterative nature ensures that patient care
remains individualized and responsive to changing needs."
What is the primary organizational structure of this passage?
A. Chronological order
B. Cause and effect
C. Classification and explanation
D. Problem and solution
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage classifies the five steps of the nursing process and then explains the dynamic,
cyclical nature of the process. This is a classification-and-explanation structure. Chronological order (A)
implies a timeline, which is not the focus. Cause and effect (B) would emphasize causal relationships.
Problem and solution (D) would present a problem and its resolution, which is not the structure here.
6. According to the passage on the nursing process, which statement is a valid inference?
A. The nursing process is a rigid, unchanging framework
B. Evaluation always leads to the end of the care process
C. The cyclical nature of the nursing process supports individualized care
D. Assessment only occurs once during patient care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that the iterative nature ensures individualized and responsive
care, supporting inference C. Option A contradicts the passage, which describes the process as dynamic.
Option B is incorrect because evaluation may lead back to reassessment, not necessarily the end. Option
D is incorrect because the cyclical nature implies reassessment occurs repeatedly.
7. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"Medication errors are among the most common and preventable patient safety incidents
in healthcare settings. The Institute of Medicine reported that medication errors cause at
least one death every day in the United States and injure approximately 1.3 million people
annually. Common contributing factors include poor communication, look-alike drug
names, and inadequate patient education."
What is the author’s tone in this passage?
, A. Humorous and lighthearted
B. Informative and cautionary
C. Angry and accusatory
D. Indifferent and dismissive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents factual information about medication errors and their consequences in a
serious, informative manner, with a cautionary undertone highlighting preventability. Humorous (A)
and indifferent (D) tones are clearly inappropriate. Angry and accusatory (C) is too strong—the passage
is factual, not hostile.
8. In the passage about medication errors, the word "preventable" most nearly means:
A. Inevitable
B. Avoidable
C. Unnoticed
D. Severe
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Preventable" means capable of being avoided or prevented. Inevitable (A) is the opposite.
Unnoticed (C) relates to not being observed, not preventability. Severe (D) describes intensity, not
preventability. Context clue questions test vocabulary comprehension within passage meaning.
9. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"Telehealth services expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, with virtual
visits increasing by over 4,000% in some health systems. Post-pandemic, telehealth
utilization has stabilized at levels significantly higher than pre-pandemic baselines.
Proponents argue that telehealth improves access to care for rural and underserved
populations, while critics raise concerns about the quality of virtual examinations and the
digital divide."
Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
A. Telehealth was invented during the COVID-19 pandemic
B. Telehealth usage surged during the pandemic and remains elevated, with ongoing debate about
its benefits and limitations
C. Virtual examinations are superior to in-person visits
D. The digital divide has been eliminated by telehealth expansion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states telehealth expanded dramatically during the pandemic, remains elevated,
and presents both support (access) and criticism (quality concerns, digital divide). Option B captures all
three elements. Option A is incorrect—telehealth existed before the pandemic. Option C is unsupported—
critics question quality. Option D contradicts the passage, which identifies the digital divide as a
concern.
10. Based on the telehealth passage, which population would most benefit from telehealth
according to proponents?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A
success in rigorous LPN curricula, aligned with current Elsevier HESI test blueprints, LPN program
admission standards, and undergraduate science competency frameworks. This document presents all 150
exam-style questions with verified correct answers, detailed rationales, and comprehensive academic
explanations to support candidate preparation and self-assessment across all tested domains.
Keywords: LPN HESI Entrance Exam, Elsevier Evolve, Academic Readiness Assessment, Reading
Comprehension, Mathematics, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Vocational Nursing
Admission
Examination Overview
Domain Questions Key Topics Weight
Reading Comprehension 25 Main Idea, Inference, Vocabulary-in-Context, Passage 17%
Analysis, Critical Thinking, Author’s Purpose
Vocabulary & General 20 Medical Terminology, Word Roots/Prefixes/Suffixes, 13%
Knowledge Synonyms/Antonyms, Context Clues
Grammar 20 Parts of Speech, Sentence Structure, Punctuation, 13%
Subject-Verb Agreement, Common Errors
Mathematics 30 Basic Math, Fractions, Decimals, Ratios, Proportions, 20%
Dosage Calculations, Algebra, Word Problems
Anatomy & Physiology 25 Body Systems, Homeostasis, Tissues, Organ 17%
Functions, Basic Pathophysiology Concepts
Biology & Chemistry 30 Cell Structure, Genetics, Chemical Bonds, Reactions, 20%
Acids/Bases, Scientific Method
Sample Examination Questions
Domain: Reading Comprehension
1. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"Hand hygiene remains the single most effective intervention for preventing healthcare-
associated infections. The CDC recommends that healthcare personnel clean their hands
with alcohol-based hand rub or wash with soap and water before and after patient contact.
Despite these guidelines, compliance averages only 40-50% in most studies."
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Healthcare workers should wear gloves at all times
B. Hand hygiene is the most effective method for preventing infections, yet compliance remains
suboptimal
C. Alcohol-based hand rubs are superior to soap and water
, D. The CDC has issued new guidelines for 2026
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage emphasizes that hand hygiene is the most effective intervention for preventing
HAIs, while also noting that compliance rates remain low (40-50%). Option A is incorrect because the
passage does not state gloves should be worn at all times. Option C is not supported—the passage
presents both methods as recommended. Option D is incorrect; the passage references CDC
recommendations but does not mention new 2026 guidelines. The main idea synthesizes both the
importance of hand hygiene and the challenge of achieving compliance.
2. In the context of the passage, what does the word "compliance" most likely mean?
A. Resistance to following rules
B. Adherence to recommended practices or guidelines
C. Financial compensation for services
D. Medical diagnosis of a condition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In healthcare contexts, "compliance" refers to adherence to recommended practices or
guidelines—in this case, following hand hygiene protocols. Resistance (A) is the opposite of compliance.
Financial compensation (C) and medical diagnosis (D) are unrelated to the contextual meaning.
Understanding vocabulary in context is essential for reading comprehension success.
3. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often experience dyspnea
during physical exertion. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs that include exercise
training, breathing strategies, and patient education have been shown to reduce dyspnea
and improve quality of life. However, referral rates to pulmonary rehabilitation remain
below 5% of eligible patients."
Which of the following best describes the author’s purpose in this passage?
A. To describe the pathology of COPD in detail
B. To advocate for increased referral to pulmonary rehabilitation programs
C. To compare different treatment options for COPD
D. To explain the causes of dyspnea in COPD patients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents evidence that pulmonary rehabilitation reduces dyspnea and improves
quality of life, then highlights the low referral rate (below 5%), implying that more patients should be
referred. This structure suggests advocacy rather than purely descriptive or comparative purposes.
Option A is incorrect because the passage does not detail COPD pathology. Option C is incorrect because
no comparison of treatments is provided. Option D is incorrect because causes of dyspnea are not
explained.
4. Based on the passage about COPD, what can be inferred about the relationship between
rehabilitation and patient outcomes?
A. Rehabilitation completely cures COPD symptoms
B. Exercise training alone is sufficient to manage COPD
, C. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation improves functional status in COPD patients
D. Patient education has no measurable impact on COPD outcomes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage states that programs including exercise, breathing strategies, and education
reduce dyspnea and improve quality of life. This implies a multidisciplinary approach improves
outcomes. Option A overstates the evidence—rehabilitation reduces symptoms but does not cure COPD.
Option B is incorrect because the passage describes multiple components, not exercise alone. Option D
contradicts the passage, which lists education as part of effective programs.
5. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"The nursing process consists of five sequential steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. While the steps are presented linearly, the process is
dynamic and cyclical. Evaluation may lead the nurse back to reassessment, revised
diagnoses, or modified plans of care. This iterative nature ensures that patient care
remains individualized and responsive to changing needs."
What is the primary organizational structure of this passage?
A. Chronological order
B. Cause and effect
C. Classification and explanation
D. Problem and solution
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage classifies the five steps of the nursing process and then explains the dynamic,
cyclical nature of the process. This is a classification-and-explanation structure. Chronological order (A)
implies a timeline, which is not the focus. Cause and effect (B) would emphasize causal relationships.
Problem and solution (D) would present a problem and its resolution, which is not the structure here.
6. According to the passage on the nursing process, which statement is a valid inference?
A. The nursing process is a rigid, unchanging framework
B. Evaluation always leads to the end of the care process
C. The cyclical nature of the nursing process supports individualized care
D. Assessment only occurs once during patient care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that the iterative nature ensures individualized and responsive
care, supporting inference C. Option A contradicts the passage, which describes the process as dynamic.
Option B is incorrect because evaluation may lead back to reassessment, not necessarily the end. Option
D is incorrect because the cyclical nature implies reassessment occurs repeatedly.
7. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"Medication errors are among the most common and preventable patient safety incidents
in healthcare settings. The Institute of Medicine reported that medication errors cause at
least one death every day in the United States and injure approximately 1.3 million people
annually. Common contributing factors include poor communication, look-alike drug
names, and inadequate patient education."
What is the author’s tone in this passage?
, A. Humorous and lighthearted
B. Informative and cautionary
C. Angry and accusatory
D. Indifferent and dismissive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents factual information about medication errors and their consequences in a
serious, informative manner, with a cautionary undertone highlighting preventability. Humorous (A)
and indifferent (D) tones are clearly inappropriate. Angry and accusatory (C) is too strong—the passage
is factual, not hostile.
8. In the passage about medication errors, the word "preventable" most nearly means:
A. Inevitable
B. Avoidable
C. Unnoticed
D. Severe
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Preventable" means capable of being avoided or prevented. Inevitable (A) is the opposite.
Unnoticed (C) relates to not being observed, not preventability. Severe (D) describes intensity, not
preventability. Context clue questions test vocabulary comprehension within passage meaning.
9. Read the following passage and answer the question below.
"Telehealth services expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, with virtual
visits increasing by over 4,000% in some health systems. Post-pandemic, telehealth
utilization has stabilized at levels significantly higher than pre-pandemic baselines.
Proponents argue that telehealth improves access to care for rural and underserved
populations, while critics raise concerns about the quality of virtual examinations and the
digital divide."
Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
A. Telehealth was invented during the COVID-19 pandemic
B. Telehealth usage surged during the pandemic and remains elevated, with ongoing debate about
its benefits and limitations
C. Virtual examinations are superior to in-person visits
D. The digital divide has been eliminated by telehealth expansion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states telehealth expanded dramatically during the pandemic, remains elevated,
and presents both support (access) and criticism (quality concerns, digital divide). Option B captures all
three elements. Option A is incorrect—telehealth existed before the pandemic. Option C is unsupported—
critics question quality. Option D contradicts the passage, which identifies the digital divide as a
concern.
10. Based on the telehealth passage, which population would most benefit from telehealth
according to proponents?
