LPN HESI ENTRANCE EXAM 2026/2027 ELSEvIER EvoLvE – CoMPREHENSIvE
ACAdEMIC REAdINESS ASSESSMENT foR PRACTICAL/voCATIoNAL NuRSINg
PRogRAM AdMISSIoN
SECTION 1: READING COMPREHENSION (QUESTIONS 1-10)
Passage 1 (Questions 1-5)
The human respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of gases between the body and the
environment. Air enters through the nasal cavity, where it is warmed, filtered, and humidified. It
then passes through the pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi before reaching the alveoli. The
alveoli are tiny air sacs surrounded by pulmonary capillaries. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli
into the blood, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. The
diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that contracts and flattens during inhalation, increasing the
volume of the thoracic cavity and drawing air into the lungs. Exhalation is primarily passive,
resulting from relaxation of the diaphragm and elastic recoil of the lungs.
Question 1
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
A) To pump blood throughout the body
B) To exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the environment
C) To digest food
D) To produce hormones
Answer: B) To exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the
environment
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that the respiratory system is responsible for the
exchange of gases between the body and the environment. Oxygen is taken in, and carbon
dioxide is expelled. Option A (pump blood) is the function of the circulatory system. Option C
(digest food) is the function of the digestive system. Option D (produce hormones) is the function
of the endocrine system.
Question 2
,Where does gas exchange occur in the lungs?
A) Trachea
B) Bronchi
C) Alveoli
D) Pharynx
Answer: C) Alveoli
Rationale: The passage states that the alveoli are tiny air sacs surrounded by pulmonary
capillaries. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the
blood into the alveoli. Gas exchange occurs at the alveolar-capillary membrane. The trachea (A)
and bronchi (B) are conducting airways. The pharynx (D) is part of the upper airway.
Question 3
What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?
A) It relaxes and moves upward
B) It contracts and flattens
C) It remains still
D) It moves sideways
Answer: B) It contracts and flattens
Rationale: The passage states that the diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that contracts and
flattens during inhalation. This increases the volume of the thoracic cavity, decreasing intra-
thoracic pressure and drawing air into the lungs. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and
moves upward (A).
Question 4
Based on the passage, exhalation is primarily:
A) An active process requiring muscle contraction
B) A passive process resulting from relaxation of the diaphragm and elastic recoil of the lungs
, C) Controlled by the sympathetic nervous system
D) Accompanied by flattening of the diaphragm
Answer: B) A passive process resulting from relaxation of the diaphragm and elastic recoil of the
lungs
Rationale: The passage states that exhalation is primarily passive, resulting from relaxation of
the diaphragm and elastic recoil of the lungs. Inhalation is an active process (diaphragm
contraction). Option C is not mentioned. Option D describes inhalation, not exhalation.
Question 5
The word "diffuses" as used in the passage most nearly means:
A) Blocks
B) Absorbs
C) Spreads or moves from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
D) Destroys
Answer: C) Spreads or moves from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower
concentration
Rationale: In the context of gas exchange, diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area
of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli
(higher concentration) into the blood (lower concentration). Carbon dioxide diffuses from the
blood (higher concentration) into the alveoli (lower concentration). Option A, B, and D do not
describe diffusion.
Passage 2 (Questions 6-10)
The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered method used by nurses to plan and deliver
care. It consists of five steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Assessment involves collecting subjective and objective data about the patient. Diagnosis
involves identifying actual or potential health problems based on the assessment data. Planning
involves setting measurable goals and outcomes and developing nursing interventions.
Implementation involves carrying out the planned interventions. Evaluation involves determining
whether the goals have been met and modifying the plan as needed. The nursing process is
cyclical and continuous, as evaluation leads back to reassessment.
ACAdEMIC REAdINESS ASSESSMENT foR PRACTICAL/voCATIoNAL NuRSINg
PRogRAM AdMISSIoN
SECTION 1: READING COMPREHENSION (QUESTIONS 1-10)
Passage 1 (Questions 1-5)
The human respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of gases between the body and the
environment. Air enters through the nasal cavity, where it is warmed, filtered, and humidified. It
then passes through the pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi before reaching the alveoli. The
alveoli are tiny air sacs surrounded by pulmonary capillaries. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli
into the blood, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. The
diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that contracts and flattens during inhalation, increasing the
volume of the thoracic cavity and drawing air into the lungs. Exhalation is primarily passive,
resulting from relaxation of the diaphragm and elastic recoil of the lungs.
Question 1
What is the primary function of the respiratory system?
A) To pump blood throughout the body
B) To exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the environment
C) To digest food
D) To produce hormones
Answer: B) To exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the
environment
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that the respiratory system is responsible for the
exchange of gases between the body and the environment. Oxygen is taken in, and carbon
dioxide is expelled. Option A (pump blood) is the function of the circulatory system. Option C
(digest food) is the function of the digestive system. Option D (produce hormones) is the function
of the endocrine system.
Question 2
,Where does gas exchange occur in the lungs?
A) Trachea
B) Bronchi
C) Alveoli
D) Pharynx
Answer: C) Alveoli
Rationale: The passage states that the alveoli are tiny air sacs surrounded by pulmonary
capillaries. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the
blood into the alveoli. Gas exchange occurs at the alveolar-capillary membrane. The trachea (A)
and bronchi (B) are conducting airways. The pharynx (D) is part of the upper airway.
Question 3
What happens to the diaphragm during inhalation?
A) It relaxes and moves upward
B) It contracts and flattens
C) It remains still
D) It moves sideways
Answer: B) It contracts and flattens
Rationale: The passage states that the diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that contracts and
flattens during inhalation. This increases the volume of the thoracic cavity, decreasing intra-
thoracic pressure and drawing air into the lungs. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and
moves upward (A).
Question 4
Based on the passage, exhalation is primarily:
A) An active process requiring muscle contraction
B) A passive process resulting from relaxation of the diaphragm and elastic recoil of the lungs
, C) Controlled by the sympathetic nervous system
D) Accompanied by flattening of the diaphragm
Answer: B) A passive process resulting from relaxation of the diaphragm and elastic recoil of the
lungs
Rationale: The passage states that exhalation is primarily passive, resulting from relaxation of
the diaphragm and elastic recoil of the lungs. Inhalation is an active process (diaphragm
contraction). Option C is not mentioned. Option D describes inhalation, not exhalation.
Question 5
The word "diffuses" as used in the passage most nearly means:
A) Blocks
B) Absorbs
C) Spreads or moves from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
D) Destroys
Answer: C) Spreads or moves from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower
concentration
Rationale: In the context of gas exchange, diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area
of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli
(higher concentration) into the blood (lower concentration). Carbon dioxide diffuses from the
blood (higher concentration) into the alveoli (lower concentration). Option A, B, and D do not
describe diffusion.
Passage 2 (Questions 6-10)
The nursing process is a systematic, patient-centered method used by nurses to plan and deliver
care. It consists of five steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Assessment involves collecting subjective and objective data about the patient. Diagnosis
involves identifying actual or potential health problems based on the assessment data. Planning
involves setting measurable goals and outcomes and developing nursing interventions.
Implementation involves carrying out the planned interventions. Evaluation involves determining
whether the goals have been met and modifying the plan as needed. The nursing process is
cyclical and continuous, as evaluation leads back to reassessment.
