1
HESI A2 - READING COMPREHENSION EXAM 2 LATEST
2026/2027 | INFERENCE & VOCABULARY | 40 VERIFIED Q&A
| DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: INFERENCE - Questions 1-20
Q1: Inference - Passage 1
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The nurse noted that the patient's skin was pale and diaphoretic. The patient complained
of chest pain and shortness of breath. The nurse immediately called for assistance and began oxygen
therapy." What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is having a panic attack
B. The patient is experiencing a cardiac or respiratory emergency
C. The patient is dehydrated
D. The patient is having an allergic reaction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pale, diaphoretic skin with chest pain and shortness of breath indicates a potential
cardiac or respiratory emergency. The nurse's immediate response supports this inference. [100%
CORRECT]
Q2: Inference - Passage 2
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse noted that the patient
had a fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath. The patient appeared anxious and stated, 'I
can't breathe.'" What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is improving
B. The patient is experiencing respiratory distress
C. The patient is having a panic attack
D. The patient is dehydrated
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's symptoms (fever, productive cough, shortness of breath) and statement "I
can't breathe" indicate respiratory distress. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Inference - Passage 3
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was diagnosed with hypertension. The nurse advised the patient to reduce
sodium intake and start a low-fat diet. The patient was also prescribed a beta-blocker." What can be
inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is at risk for heart disease
B. The patient is improving
, 2
C. The patient is dehydrated
D. The patient has diabetes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertension is a risk factor for heart disease. The recommended lifestyle changes and
medication support this inference. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Inference - Passage 4
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. The
patient was alert but complained of neck pain and numbness in the arms. The nurse placed a cervical
collar on the patient and ordered a CT scan." What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient has a minor injury
B. The patient may have a spinal injury
C. The patient is unconscious
D. The patient has a head injury
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neck pain and numbness in the arms suggest a possible spinal injury. The cervical collar
and CT scan support this inference. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Inference - Passage 5
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was receiving chemotherapy for cancer. The nurse noted that the patient had
a low white blood cell count. The nurse placed the patient in a private room and instructed visitors
to wash their hands." What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is at risk for infection
B. The patient is improving
C. The patient is in isolation
D. The patient has a fever
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low white blood cell count (neutropenia) increases the risk of infection. The private room
and hand hygiene instructions support this inference. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Inference - Passage 6
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The nurse taught the patient how to
monitor blood glucose levels and how to administer insulin. The patient was also instructed to follow
a carbohydrate-controlled diet." What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is well-controlled
B. The patient requires insulin therapy
C. The patient is improving
D. The patient has type 1 diabetes
HESI A2 - READING COMPREHENSION EXAM 2 LATEST
2026/2027 | INFERENCE & VOCABULARY | 40 VERIFIED Q&A
| DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: INFERENCE - Questions 1-20
Q1: Inference - Passage 1
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The nurse noted that the patient's skin was pale and diaphoretic. The patient complained
of chest pain and shortness of breath. The nurse immediately called for assistance and began oxygen
therapy." What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is having a panic attack
B. The patient is experiencing a cardiac or respiratory emergency
C. The patient is dehydrated
D. The patient is having an allergic reaction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pale, diaphoretic skin with chest pain and shortness of breath indicates a potential
cardiac or respiratory emergency. The nurse's immediate response supports this inference. [100%
CORRECT]
Q2: Inference - Passage 2
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse noted that the patient
had a fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath. The patient appeared anxious and stated, 'I
can't breathe.'" What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is improving
B. The patient is experiencing respiratory distress
C. The patient is having a panic attack
D. The patient is dehydrated
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's symptoms (fever, productive cough, shortness of breath) and statement "I
can't breathe" indicate respiratory distress. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Inference - Passage 3
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was diagnosed with hypertension. The nurse advised the patient to reduce
sodium intake and start a low-fat diet. The patient was also prescribed a beta-blocker." What can be
inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is at risk for heart disease
B. The patient is improving
, 2
C. The patient is dehydrated
D. The patient has diabetes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertension is a risk factor for heart disease. The recommended lifestyle changes and
medication support this inference. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Inference - Passage 4
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. The
patient was alert but complained of neck pain and numbness in the arms. The nurse placed a cervical
collar on the patient and ordered a CT scan." What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient has a minor injury
B. The patient may have a spinal injury
C. The patient is unconscious
D. The patient has a head injury
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neck pain and numbness in the arms suggest a possible spinal injury. The cervical collar
and CT scan support this inference. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Inference - Passage 5
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was receiving chemotherapy for cancer. The nurse noted that the patient had
a low white blood cell count. The nurse placed the patient in a private room and instructed visitors
to wash their hands." What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is at risk for infection
B. The patient is improving
C. The patient is in isolation
D. The patient has a fever
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low white blood cell count (neutropenia) increases the risk of infection. The private room
and hand hygiene instructions support this inference. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Inference - Passage 6
The nursing student is reviewing reading comprehension for the HESI A2. Read the following
passage: "The patient was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The nurse taught the patient how to
monitor blood glucose levels and how to administer insulin. The patient was also instructed to follow
a carbohydrate-controlled diet." What can be inferred about the patient's condition?
A. The patient is well-controlled
B. The patient requires insulin therapy
C. The patient is improving
D. The patient has type 1 diabetes
