Form A Practice Exam Questions with
Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A hospital introduces an electronic medication administration
system. During the first month, medication documentation
errors decrease by 28%, but nurses report that medication
rounds take longer because of additional verification steps.
Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
A. The system has failed because nurses spend more time
administering medications.
B. The system eliminates the need for clinical judgment
during medication administration.
C. The system has reduced documentation errors, although
implementation may introduce workflow challenges.
D. Nurses should discontinue using the system until
medication rounds become faster.
Answer: C. The system has reduced documentation errors,
although implementation may introduce workflow
challenges.
Rationale: The passage provides evidence of a measurable
benefit—fewer documentation errors—while also identifying
a drawback involving efficiency. Therefore, the most balanced
,conclusion is that the system improves one outcome while
creating a workflow challenge.
Question 2.
A city council is considering replacing several diesel buses
with electric buses. Supporters emphasize lower emissions
and reduced long-term fuel costs. Critics argue that the initial
purchase price is substantially higher and that charging
infrastructure will require additional investment.
Which statement represents the strongest synthesis of the
information?
A. Electric buses are always less expensive than diesel buses.
B. Electric buses may provide long-term environmental and
operating benefits despite higher initial costs.
C. Diesel buses are preferable because their purchase price is
lower.
D. The environmental effects of transportation cannot be
measured.
Answer: B. Electric buses may provide long-term
environmental and operating benefits despite higher initial
costs.
Rationale: The passage presents both advantages and
disadvantages. The strongest synthesis acknowledges the
higher initial investment while recognizing potential long-
term environmental and operating benefits.
,Question 3.
A researcher observes that students who sleep at least seven
hours before an examination tend to score higher than
students who sleep fewer than five hours. The researcher
concludes that obtaining seven or more hours of sleep causes
higher examination scores.
What is the primary flaw in this conclusion?
A. The sample must have included only students who passed.
B. The observation establishes correlation but does not
necessarily establish causation.
C. Examination scores cannot be measured numerically.
D. Sleep duration is unrelated to academic performance.
Answer: B. The observation establishes correlation but does
not necessarily establish causation.
Rationale: A relationship between two variables does not
prove that one directly causes the other. Other factors, such
as study habits, stress, health, or socioeconomic conditions,
could influence both sleep and examination performance.
Question 4.
A paragraph explains that wetlands absorb excess rainfall,
provide habitat for wildlife, filter pollutants, and reduce
downstream flooding. The author then argues that
communities should protect remaining wetlands from
development.
, Which organizational structure does the paragraph primarily
use?
A. Chronological sequence
B. Compare and contrast
C. Cause and effect
D. Problem and solution
Answer: D. Problem and solution
Rationale: The paragraph identifies a potential environmental
problem—wetland loss and development—and presents
protection of wetlands as the appropriate response. The
supporting details explain why the proposed solution is
valuable.
Question 5.
A textbook states, "Although antibiotics have transformed
modern medicine, their effectiveness is threatened when
bacteria acquire resistance through genetic changes and
selective pressure."
Which statement is an inference based on this sentence?
A. Antibiotics are completely ineffective against bacterial
infections.
B. Bacterial resistance can develop through evolutionary
processes.
C. All bacteria become resistant after receiving antibiotics.
D. Genetic changes occur only in bacteria exposed to
antibiotics.