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HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission
Assessment) Entrance Exam 2026/2027 | Latest
Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the HESI A2 (Health
Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) exam, a standardized test used by nursing and
health science programs to evaluate applicant readiness. The exam is structured into core
academic sections—Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Vocabulary & General Knowledge,
Grammar, and Anatomy & Physiology—along with additional science sections (Biology,
Chemistry, and occasionally Physics) and a learning style/personality profile. It assesses
foundational knowledge, health-related terminology, scientific principles, and critical thinking
skills necessary for success in clinical training. The HESI A2 is published by Elsevier, Inc.
Core Academic Sections
Reading Comprehension (Questions 1–55)
QUESTION 1
A patient education sheet states: “Apply ice to the sprained ankle for 15–20 minutes
every 2–3 hours during the first 48 hours. Do not apply ice directly to skin; use a cloth
barrier.” What is the maximum ice application time per session?
A) 10 minutes
B) 15 minutes
C) 20 minutes
D) 25 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: C
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EXPERT RATIONALE: The passage explicitly states “15–20 minutes” per application. 20
minutes is the maximum listed.
QUESTION 2
From the same passage: “Do not apply ice directly to skin.” Why is this instruction given?
A) To save time
B) To prevent frostbite or skin damage
C) To make the ice last longer
D) To reduce swelling faster
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Direct ice contact can cause cold-induced tissue injury (frostbite).
A cloth barrier protects the skin.
QUESTION 3
Read: “The nurse reviews a fall risk assessment. A score of 45 or higher indicates high fall
risk. Mr. Jones scores 50. The nurse implements bed alarms and non-skid socks.” What
can be inferred?
A) Mr. Jones has a low fall risk.
B) The nurse is following policy for high fall risk.
C) Bed alarms are only used for scores below 45.
D) Mr. Jones refused the interventions.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: A score of 50 exceeds the 45 threshold for high risk. The nurse’s
actions are appropriate for that risk level.
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QUESTION 4
From a medication guide: “Take with food to avoid stomach upset. If you miss a dose,
take it as soon as you remember unless it is within 2 hours of the next dose. Do not
double doses.” What should a patient do if they miss a dose and remember 1 hour
before the next dose?
A) Take the missed dose immediately.
B) Take both the missed dose and the next dose together.
C) Skip the missed dose and take the next dose on time.
D) Wait 2 hours then take the missed dose.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The instructions say not to take a missed dose if it is within 2
hours of the next dose. Taking it would lead to overdose.
QUESTION 5
A discharge summary reads: “The patient had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Incisions
are covered with sterile strips. Keep dry for 48 hours. Report redness, drainage, or fever.”
What surgery did the patient have?
A) Appendix removal
B) Gallbladder removal
C) Kidney stone removal
D) Stomach reduction
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: “Cholecystectomy” is surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Laparoscopic means small incisions.
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QUESTION 6
“The clinic sees an average of 120 patients per day in flu season. During a nurse
shortage, they only see 90 patients.” What is the decrease in patients seen?
A) 20 patients
B) 25 patients
C) 30 patients
D) 40 patients
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: 120 − 90 = 30 fewer patients. This is a straightforward
subtraction, not a percentage question here.
QUESTION 7
From a lab result sheet: “Normal fasting glucose is 70–99 mg/dL. A result of 100–125
mg/dL indicates prediabetes. 126 mg/dL or higher on two tests indicates diabetes.” A
patient has a fasting glucose of 115 mg/dL. What does this suggest?
A) Normal glucose
B) Prediabetes
C) Diabetes
D) Hypoglycemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: 115 mg/dL falls in the 100–125 range, which the passage defines
as prediabetes.
QUESTION 8
A nurse reads: “Contact precautions require gown and gloves for all room entries. Place
a dedicated stethoscope in the room.” Why is a dedicated stethoscope required?
HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission
Assessment) Entrance Exam 2026/2027 | Latest
Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the HESI A2 (Health
Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment) exam, a standardized test used by nursing and
health science programs to evaluate applicant readiness. The exam is structured into core
academic sections—Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Vocabulary & General Knowledge,
Grammar, and Anatomy & Physiology—along with additional science sections (Biology,
Chemistry, and occasionally Physics) and a learning style/personality profile. It assesses
foundational knowledge, health-related terminology, scientific principles, and critical thinking
skills necessary for success in clinical training. The HESI A2 is published by Elsevier, Inc.
Core Academic Sections
Reading Comprehension (Questions 1–55)
QUESTION 1
A patient education sheet states: “Apply ice to the sprained ankle for 15–20 minutes
every 2–3 hours during the first 48 hours. Do not apply ice directly to skin; use a cloth
barrier.” What is the maximum ice application time per session?
A) 10 minutes
B) 15 minutes
C) 20 minutes
D) 25 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: C
,2|Page
EXPERT RATIONALE: The passage explicitly states “15–20 minutes” per application. 20
minutes is the maximum listed.
QUESTION 2
From the same passage: “Do not apply ice directly to skin.” Why is this instruction given?
A) To save time
B) To prevent frostbite or skin damage
C) To make the ice last longer
D) To reduce swelling faster
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Direct ice contact can cause cold-induced tissue injury (frostbite).
A cloth barrier protects the skin.
QUESTION 3
Read: “The nurse reviews a fall risk assessment. A score of 45 or higher indicates high fall
risk. Mr. Jones scores 50. The nurse implements bed alarms and non-skid socks.” What
can be inferred?
A) Mr. Jones has a low fall risk.
B) The nurse is following policy for high fall risk.
C) Bed alarms are only used for scores below 45.
D) Mr. Jones refused the interventions.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: A score of 50 exceeds the 45 threshold for high risk. The nurse’s
actions are appropriate for that risk level.
,3|Page
QUESTION 4
From a medication guide: “Take with food to avoid stomach upset. If you miss a dose,
take it as soon as you remember unless it is within 2 hours of the next dose. Do not
double doses.” What should a patient do if they miss a dose and remember 1 hour
before the next dose?
A) Take the missed dose immediately.
B) Take both the missed dose and the next dose together.
C) Skip the missed dose and take the next dose on time.
D) Wait 2 hours then take the missed dose.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The instructions say not to take a missed dose if it is within 2
hours of the next dose. Taking it would lead to overdose.
QUESTION 5
A discharge summary reads: “The patient had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Incisions
are covered with sterile strips. Keep dry for 48 hours. Report redness, drainage, or fever.”
What surgery did the patient have?
A) Appendix removal
B) Gallbladder removal
C) Kidney stone removal
D) Stomach reduction
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: “Cholecystectomy” is surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Laparoscopic means small incisions.
, 4|Page
QUESTION 6
“The clinic sees an average of 120 patients per day in flu season. During a nurse
shortage, they only see 90 patients.” What is the decrease in patients seen?
A) 20 patients
B) 25 patients
C) 30 patients
D) 40 patients
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: 120 − 90 = 30 fewer patients. This is a straightforward
subtraction, not a percentage question here.
QUESTION 7
From a lab result sheet: “Normal fasting glucose is 70–99 mg/dL. A result of 100–125
mg/dL indicates prediabetes. 126 mg/dL or higher on two tests indicates diabetes.” A
patient has a fasting glucose of 115 mg/dL. What does this suggest?
A) Normal glucose
B) Prediabetes
C) Diabetes
D) Hypoglycemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: 115 mg/dL falls in the 100–125 range, which the passage defines
as prediabetes.
QUESTION 8
A nurse reads: “Contact precautions require gown and gloves for all room entries. Place
a dedicated stethoscope in the room.” Why is a dedicated stethoscope required?
