HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Exam
2025 – Verified Questions with Correct
Answers and Expert Rationales
Question 1
Passage: Telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare delivery by allowing patients to consult
with providers remotely. This technology reduces the need for in-person visits, saving time and
costs for both patients and healthcare systems. However, challenges such as limited access to
high-speed internet and concerns about data privacy remain significant barriers to widespread
adoption.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Telemedicine eliminates the need for all in-person doctor visits.
B. Telemedicine offers benefits but faces challenges in accessibility and privacy.
C. High-speed internet is the primary barrier to telemedicine adoption.
D. Healthcare costs are the only concern in telemedicine implementation.
Correct Answer: B. Telemedicine offers benefits but faces challenges in accessibility and
privacy.
Rationale: The passage highlights both the advantages of telemedicine (reducing in-person
visits, saving time and costs) and its challenges (internet access and data privacy). Option B
captures this balance. Option A overstates the elimination of all in-person visits, as the passage
only mentions reduction. Option C focuses solely on internet access, ignoring privacy concerns.
Option D incorrectly narrows the challenges to costs alone.
Question 2
Passage: Nurses play a critical role in patient education, teaching individuals how to manage
chronic conditions like diabetes. Effective education improves patient outcomes by promoting
adherence to treatment plans. Nurses must use clear communication and culturally sensitive
approaches to ensure understanding.
Question: What is the author’s primary purpose in this passage?
A. To persuade nurses to focus on patient education.
B. To inform readers about the role of nurses in patient education.
C. To entertain readers with stories of nurse-patient interactions.
D. To criticize nurses for ineffective communication.
,Correct Answer: B. To inform readers about the role of nurses in patient education.
Rationale: The passage provides information about the importance of nurses in patient education
and its impact on outcomes, indicating an informative purpose. Option A is incorrect because
there is no persuasive tone urging nurses to act. Option C is wrong as the passage lacks
storytelling elements. Option D is incorrect since the passage does not criticize nurses.
Question 3
Passage: Regular exercise benefits mental health by reducing stress and improving mood.
Studies show that physical activity increases endorphin levels, which are natural mood elevators.
However, excessive exercise can lead to burnout or injury, negating these benefits.
Question: Which statement is an opinion expressed in the passage?
A. Regular exercise reduces stress.
B. Physical activity increases endorphin levels.
C. Excessive exercise can lead to burnout or injury.
D. Exercise is the best way to improve mental health.
Correct Answer: D. Exercise is the best way to improve mental health.
Rationale: Options A, B, and C are factual statements supported by the passage or general
scientific knowledge. Option D, however, is an opinion because the passage does not claim
exercise is the "best" method, only that it benefits mental health. The word "best" introduces a
subjective judgment not present in the text.
Question 4
Passage: The human body maintains temperature through thermoregulation, a process involving
the hypothalamus. When body temperature rises, sweat glands activate to cool the body. In cold
environments, shivering generates heat to maintain warmth.
Question: What is the meaning of “thermoregulation” as used in the passage?
A. The process of sweating to cool the body.
B. The body’s ability to maintain a stable temperature.
C. The activation of sweat glands in hot conditions.
D. The hypothalamus’s role in heat generation.
Correct Answer: B. The body’s ability to maintain a stable temperature.
Rationale: The passage describes thermoregulation as the process by which the body maintains
temperature, involving mechanisms like sweating and shivering. Option B accurately defines this
term. Option A focuses only on sweating, which is one aspect of thermoregulation. Option C is
,too specific to sweat glands, and Option D incorrectly narrows the term to the hypothalamus’s
role.
Question 5
Passage: Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to withstand treatments, rendering
medications ineffective. Overprescription of antibiotics and incomplete treatment courses
contribute to this growing problem. Public health campaigns aim to educate people on proper
antibiotic use.
Question: What can be inferred about antibiotic resistance from the passage?
A. It is caused solely by overprescription of antibiotics.
B. It can be prevented by completing full antibiotic courses.
C. It has no impact on public health campaigns.
D. It only affects certain types of bacteria.
Correct Answer: B. It can be prevented by completing full antibiotic courses.
Rationale: The passage states that incomplete treatment courses contribute to antibiotic
resistance, implying that completing courses could help prevent it. Option A is incorrect because
overprescription is only one cause mentioned. Option C is wrong as the passage mentions public
health campaigns addressing the issue. Option D is not supported, as the passage does not
specify that only certain bacteria are affected.
Question 6
Passage: Urban farming is gaining popularity as a way to provide fresh produce in cities. It
promotes sustainability by reducing transportation emissions and supports community
engagement. However, limited space and soil contamination pose challenges.
Question: Which of the following is a supporting detail in the passage?
A. Urban farming is the most sustainable agricultural practice.
B. Urban farming reduces transportation emissions.
C. Cities are ideal for large-scale farming operations.
D. Soil contamination is easily resolved in urban areas.
Correct Answer: B. Urban farming reduces transportation emissions.
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that urban farming promotes sustainability by reducing
transportation emissions, making Option B a supporting detail. Option A is an opinion not stated
in the passage. Option C contradicts the passage’s mention of limited space. Option D is
incorrect because the passage does not claim soil contamination is easily resolved.
, Question 7
Passage: The placebo effect occurs when patients experience improvements in symptoms due to
their belief in a treatment’s effectiveness, even if the treatment is inactive. This phenomenon
highlights the power of the mind in healing.
Question: What is the tone of the passage?
A. Skeptical
B. Informative
C. Humorous
D. Critical
Correct Answer: B. Informative
Rationale: The passage provides a factual explanation of the placebo effect without judgment,
humor, or skepticism, indicating an informative tone. Option A is incorrect as there is no doubt
expressed. Option C is wrong because the passage lacks humor. Option D is incorrect as there is
no criticism present.
Question 8
Passage: Sleep deprivation can impair cognitive functions, such as memory and decision-
making. Adults need 7–9 hours of sleep nightly to function optimally. Chronic lack of sleep is
linked to health issues like obesity and heart disease.
Question: Which statement is not a detail in the passage?
A. Sleep deprivation affects memory.
B. Adults need 7–9 hours of sleep per night.
C. Chronic sleep deprivation causes obesity.
D. Sleep deprivation is always reversible.
Correct Answer: D. Sleep deprivation is always reversible.
Rationale: The passage mentions sleep deprivation’s effects on cognitive functions, the
recommended sleep duration, and its link to obesity and heart disease, covering Options A, B,
and C. Option D is not mentioned, as the passage does not discuss reversibility.
Question 9
2025 – Verified Questions with Correct
Answers and Expert Rationales
Question 1
Passage: Telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare delivery by allowing patients to consult
with providers remotely. This technology reduces the need for in-person visits, saving time and
costs for both patients and healthcare systems. However, challenges such as limited access to
high-speed internet and concerns about data privacy remain significant barriers to widespread
adoption.
Question: What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Telemedicine eliminates the need for all in-person doctor visits.
B. Telemedicine offers benefits but faces challenges in accessibility and privacy.
C. High-speed internet is the primary barrier to telemedicine adoption.
D. Healthcare costs are the only concern in telemedicine implementation.
Correct Answer: B. Telemedicine offers benefits but faces challenges in accessibility and
privacy.
Rationale: The passage highlights both the advantages of telemedicine (reducing in-person
visits, saving time and costs) and its challenges (internet access and data privacy). Option B
captures this balance. Option A overstates the elimination of all in-person visits, as the passage
only mentions reduction. Option C focuses solely on internet access, ignoring privacy concerns.
Option D incorrectly narrows the challenges to costs alone.
Question 2
Passage: Nurses play a critical role in patient education, teaching individuals how to manage
chronic conditions like diabetes. Effective education improves patient outcomes by promoting
adherence to treatment plans. Nurses must use clear communication and culturally sensitive
approaches to ensure understanding.
Question: What is the author’s primary purpose in this passage?
A. To persuade nurses to focus on patient education.
B. To inform readers about the role of nurses in patient education.
C. To entertain readers with stories of nurse-patient interactions.
D. To criticize nurses for ineffective communication.
,Correct Answer: B. To inform readers about the role of nurses in patient education.
Rationale: The passage provides information about the importance of nurses in patient education
and its impact on outcomes, indicating an informative purpose. Option A is incorrect because
there is no persuasive tone urging nurses to act. Option C is wrong as the passage lacks
storytelling elements. Option D is incorrect since the passage does not criticize nurses.
Question 3
Passage: Regular exercise benefits mental health by reducing stress and improving mood.
Studies show that physical activity increases endorphin levels, which are natural mood elevators.
However, excessive exercise can lead to burnout or injury, negating these benefits.
Question: Which statement is an opinion expressed in the passage?
A. Regular exercise reduces stress.
B. Physical activity increases endorphin levels.
C. Excessive exercise can lead to burnout or injury.
D. Exercise is the best way to improve mental health.
Correct Answer: D. Exercise is the best way to improve mental health.
Rationale: Options A, B, and C are factual statements supported by the passage or general
scientific knowledge. Option D, however, is an opinion because the passage does not claim
exercise is the "best" method, only that it benefits mental health. The word "best" introduces a
subjective judgment not present in the text.
Question 4
Passage: The human body maintains temperature through thermoregulation, a process involving
the hypothalamus. When body temperature rises, sweat glands activate to cool the body. In cold
environments, shivering generates heat to maintain warmth.
Question: What is the meaning of “thermoregulation” as used in the passage?
A. The process of sweating to cool the body.
B. The body’s ability to maintain a stable temperature.
C. The activation of sweat glands in hot conditions.
D. The hypothalamus’s role in heat generation.
Correct Answer: B. The body’s ability to maintain a stable temperature.
Rationale: The passage describes thermoregulation as the process by which the body maintains
temperature, involving mechanisms like sweating and shivering. Option B accurately defines this
term. Option A focuses only on sweating, which is one aspect of thermoregulation. Option C is
,too specific to sweat glands, and Option D incorrectly narrows the term to the hypothalamus’s
role.
Question 5
Passage: Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to withstand treatments, rendering
medications ineffective. Overprescription of antibiotics and incomplete treatment courses
contribute to this growing problem. Public health campaigns aim to educate people on proper
antibiotic use.
Question: What can be inferred about antibiotic resistance from the passage?
A. It is caused solely by overprescription of antibiotics.
B. It can be prevented by completing full antibiotic courses.
C. It has no impact on public health campaigns.
D. It only affects certain types of bacteria.
Correct Answer: B. It can be prevented by completing full antibiotic courses.
Rationale: The passage states that incomplete treatment courses contribute to antibiotic
resistance, implying that completing courses could help prevent it. Option A is incorrect because
overprescription is only one cause mentioned. Option C is wrong as the passage mentions public
health campaigns addressing the issue. Option D is not supported, as the passage does not
specify that only certain bacteria are affected.
Question 6
Passage: Urban farming is gaining popularity as a way to provide fresh produce in cities. It
promotes sustainability by reducing transportation emissions and supports community
engagement. However, limited space and soil contamination pose challenges.
Question: Which of the following is a supporting detail in the passage?
A. Urban farming is the most sustainable agricultural practice.
B. Urban farming reduces transportation emissions.
C. Cities are ideal for large-scale farming operations.
D. Soil contamination is easily resolved in urban areas.
Correct Answer: B. Urban farming reduces transportation emissions.
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that urban farming promotes sustainability by reducing
transportation emissions, making Option B a supporting detail. Option A is an opinion not stated
in the passage. Option C contradicts the passage’s mention of limited space. Option D is
incorrect because the passage does not claim soil contamination is easily resolved.
, Question 7
Passage: The placebo effect occurs when patients experience improvements in symptoms due to
their belief in a treatment’s effectiveness, even if the treatment is inactive. This phenomenon
highlights the power of the mind in healing.
Question: What is the tone of the passage?
A. Skeptical
B. Informative
C. Humorous
D. Critical
Correct Answer: B. Informative
Rationale: The passage provides a factual explanation of the placebo effect without judgment,
humor, or skepticism, indicating an informative tone. Option A is incorrect as there is no doubt
expressed. Option C is wrong because the passage lacks humor. Option D is incorrect as there is
no criticism present.
Question 8
Passage: Sleep deprivation can impair cognitive functions, such as memory and decision-
making. Adults need 7–9 hours of sleep nightly to function optimally. Chronic lack of sleep is
linked to health issues like obesity and heart disease.
Question: Which statement is not a detail in the passage?
A. Sleep deprivation affects memory.
B. Adults need 7–9 hours of sleep per night.
C. Chronic sleep deprivation causes obesity.
D. Sleep deprivation is always reversible.
Correct Answer: D. Sleep deprivation is always reversible.
Rationale: The passage mentions sleep deprivation’s effects on cognitive functions, the
recommended sleep duration, and its link to obesity and heart disease, covering Options A, B,
and C. Option D is not mentioned, as the passage does not discuss reversibility.
Question 9
