HESI RN EXIT Exam Questions and Verified Answers
2025 questions and solutions
In planning care for a 6 month-old infant, what must the nurse provide to assist in the development of trust?
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A) Food ap
B) Warmth ap
C) Security ap
D) Comfort - answersC) Security
ap ap ap ap
A nurse has just received a medication order which is not legible. Which statement best reflects assertive
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
communication?
ap
A) "I cannot give this medication as it is written. I have no idea of what you mean."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) "Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am reading it
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
correctly?"
C) "I am having difficulty reading your handwriting. It would save me time if you would be more careful."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) "Please print in the future so I do not have to spend extra time attempting to read your writing." - answersB) "Would yo
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am reading it
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correctly?"
What is the most important consideration when teaching parents how to reduce risks in the home?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Age and knowledge level of the parents
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B) Proximity to emergency services
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C) Number of children in the home
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D) Age of children in the home - answersD) Age of children in the home
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A 35 year-old client with sickle cell crisis is talking on the telephone but stops as the nurse enters the room to request
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
something for pain. The nurse should
ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Administer a placebo
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B) Encourage increased fluid intake
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C) Administer the prescribed analgesia
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D) Recommend relaxation exercises for pain control - answersC) Administer the prescribed analgesia
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
While caring for a toddler with croup, which initial sign of croup requires the nurse's immediate attention?
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A) Respiratory rate of 42
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B) Lethargy for the past hour
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C) Apical pulse of 54
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D) Coughing up copious secretions - answersA) Respiratory rate of 42
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A client is admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. On initial assessment, the nurse would anticipa
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
which of the following assessment findings?
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A) Lethargy ap
B) Heat intolerance
ap ap
SolutionsManual, Chapter 1 ap apap apap 1–1815
©McGrawHill LLC. All rights reserved. Noreproduction or distribution withouttheprior written consent of McGrawHill LLC.
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,C) Diarrhea
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D) Skin eruptions - answersA) Lethargy
ap ap ap ap ap
The emergency room nurse admits a child who experienced a seizure at school. The father comments that this is the firs
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occurrence, and denies any family history of epilepsy. What is the best response by the nurse?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) "Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with medications."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) "Since this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) "Long term treatment will prevent future seizures." - answersB) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
epilepsy."
ap
Alcohol and drug abuse impairs judgment and increases risk taking behavior. What nursing diagnosis best applies?
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A) Risk for injury
ap ap ap
B) Risk for knowledge deficit
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C) Altered thought process
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D) Disturbance in self-esteem - answersA) Risk for injury
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which these findings would the nurse more closely associate with anemia in a 10 month-old infant?
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A) Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dI
ap ap ap ap ap
B) Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) Hypoactivity
ap
D) A heart rate between 140 to 160 - answersB) Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
The nurse is caring for a client in hypertensive crisis in an intensive care unit. The priority assessment in the first hour of
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
care is
ap ap
A) Heart rate
ap ap
B) Pedal pulses
ap ap
C) Lung sounds
ap ap
D) Pupil responses - answersD) Pupil responses
ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which of these clients who are all in the terminal stage of cancer is least appropriate to suggest the use of patient
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
controlled analgesia (PCA) with a pump?
ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) A young adult with a history of Down's syndrome
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) A teenager who reads at a 4th grade level
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) An elderly client with numerous arthritic nodules on the hands
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness - answersD) A preschooler with intermittent episodes of
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
alertness
ap
The nurse is about to assess a 6 month-old child with nonorganic failure-to thrive (NOFTT). Upon entering the room, the
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
nurse would expect the baby to be
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Irritable and "colicky" with no attempts to pull to standing
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) Alert, laughing and playing with a rattle, sitting with support
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) Skin color dusky with poor skin turgor over abdomen
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings - answersD) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
surroundings
ap
As the nurse is speaking with a group of teens which of these side effects of chemotherapy for cancer would the nurse
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
expect this group to be more interested in during the discussion?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
,A) Mouth sores ap ap
B) Fatigue ap
C) Diarrhea ap
D) Hair loss - answersD) Hair loss
ap ap ap ap ap ap
While caring for a client who was admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) 2 days ago, the nurse notes today's temperatu
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
is 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit (38.5 degreesCelsius). The appropriate nursing intervention is to
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Call the health care provider immediately
ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) Administer acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) Send blood, urine and sputum for culture
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) Increase the client's fluid intake - answersB) Administer acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A client is admitted for first and second degree burns on the face, neck, anterior chest and hands. The nurse's priority
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
should be
ap ap
A) Cover the areas with dry sterile dressings
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) Assess for dyspnea or stridor
ap ap ap ap ap
C) Initiate intravenous therapy
ap ap ap ap
D) Administer pain medication - answersB) Assess for dyspnea or stridor
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which of these clients who call the community health clinic would the nurse ask to come in that day to be seen by the hea
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
care provider?
ap ap
A) I started my period and now my urine has turned bright red.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) I am an diabetic and today I have been going to the bathroom every hour.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) I was started on medicine yesterday for a urine infection. Now my lower belly hurts when I go to the bathroom.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went. - answersD) I went to the bathroom
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which of these parents' comment for a newborn would most likely reveal an initial finding of a suspected pyloric stenosis
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) I noticed a little lump a little above the belly button.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) The baby seems hungry all the time.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across the room.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) Irritation and spitting up immediately after feedings. - answersC) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
across the room.
ap ap ap
The nurse is assessing a child for clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which factor would the nurse recognize as cause for the findings?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Decreased cardiac output
ap ap ap
B) Tissue hypoxia ap ap
C) Cerebral edema ap ap
D) Reduced oxygen saturation - answersB) Tissue hypoxia
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
The nurse would expect the cystic fibrosis client to receive supplemental pancreatic
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
enzymes along with a diet ap ap ap ap
A) High in carbohydrates and proteins
ap ap ap ap ap
B) Low in carbohydrates and proteins
ap ap ap ap ap
C) High in carbohydrates, low in proteins
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) Low in carbohydrates, high in proteins - answersA) High in carbohydrates and proteins
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
SolutionsManual, Chapter 1 ap apap apap 1–1817
©McGrawHill LLC. All rights reserved. Noreproduction or distribution withouttheprior written consent of McGrawHill LLC.
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2025 questions and solutions
In planning care for a 6 month-old infant, what must the nurse provide to assist in the development of trust?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Food ap
B) Warmth ap
C) Security ap
D) Comfort - answersC) Security
ap ap ap ap
A nurse has just received a medication order which is not legible. Which statement best reflects assertive
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
communication?
ap
A) "I cannot give this medication as it is written. I have no idea of what you mean."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) "Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am reading it
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
correctly?"
C) "I am having difficulty reading your handwriting. It would save me time if you would be more careful."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) "Please print in the future so I do not have to spend extra time attempting to read your writing." - answersB) "Would yo
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am reading it
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
correctly?"
What is the most important consideration when teaching parents how to reduce risks in the home?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Age and knowledge level of the parents
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) Proximity to emergency services
ap ap ap ap
C) Number of children in the home
ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) Age of children in the home - answersD) Age of children in the home
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A 35 year-old client with sickle cell crisis is talking on the telephone but stops as the nurse enters the room to request
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
something for pain. The nurse should
ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Administer a placebo
ap ap ap
B) Encourage increased fluid intake
ap ap ap ap
C) Administer the prescribed analgesia
ap ap ap ap
D) Recommend relaxation exercises for pain control - answersC) Administer the prescribed analgesia
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
While caring for a toddler with croup, which initial sign of croup requires the nurse's immediate attention?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Respiratory rate of 42
ap ap ap ap
B) Lethargy for the past hour
ap ap ap ap ap
C) Apical pulse of 54
ap ap ap ap
D) Coughing up copious secretions - answersA) Respiratory rate of 42
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A client is admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. On initial assessment, the nurse would anticipa
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
which of the following assessment findings?
ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Lethargy ap
B) Heat intolerance
ap ap
SolutionsManual, Chapter 1 ap apap apap 1–1815
©McGrawHill LLC. All rights reserved. Noreproduction or distribution withouttheprior written consent of McGrawHill LLC.
ap ap apap apap apap apap ap ap ap apap apap apap ap apap a pa p apap apap apap ap apap
,C) Diarrhea
ap
D) Skin eruptions - answersA) Lethargy
ap ap ap ap ap
The emergency room nurse admits a child who experienced a seizure at school. The father comments that this is the firs
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
occurrence, and denies any family history of epilepsy. What is the best response by the nurse?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) "Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with medications."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) "Since this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again."
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) "Long term treatment will prevent future seizures." - answersB) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
epilepsy."
ap
Alcohol and drug abuse impairs judgment and increases risk taking behavior. What nursing diagnosis best applies?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Risk for injury
ap ap ap
B) Risk for knowledge deficit
ap ap ap ap
C) Altered thought process
ap ap ap ap
D) Disturbance in self-esteem - answersA) Risk for injury
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which these findings would the nurse more closely associate with anemia in a 10 month-old infant?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dI
ap ap ap ap ap
B) Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) Hypoactivity
ap
D) A heart rate between 140 to 160 - answersB) Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
The nurse is caring for a client in hypertensive crisis in an intensive care unit. The priority assessment in the first hour of
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
care is
ap ap
A) Heart rate
ap ap
B) Pedal pulses
ap ap
C) Lung sounds
ap ap
D) Pupil responses - answersD) Pupil responses
ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which of these clients who are all in the terminal stage of cancer is least appropriate to suggest the use of patient
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
controlled analgesia (PCA) with a pump?
ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) A young adult with a history of Down's syndrome
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) A teenager who reads at a 4th grade level
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) An elderly client with numerous arthritic nodules on the hands
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness - answersD) A preschooler with intermittent episodes of
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
alertness
ap
The nurse is about to assess a 6 month-old child with nonorganic failure-to thrive (NOFTT). Upon entering the room, the
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
nurse would expect the baby to be
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Irritable and "colicky" with no attempts to pull to standing
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) Alert, laughing and playing with a rattle, sitting with support
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) Skin color dusky with poor skin turgor over abdomen
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings - answersD) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
surroundings
ap
As the nurse is speaking with a group of teens which of these side effects of chemotherapy for cancer would the nurse
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
expect this group to be more interested in during the discussion?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
,A) Mouth sores ap ap
B) Fatigue ap
C) Diarrhea ap
D) Hair loss - answersD) Hair loss
ap ap ap ap ap ap
While caring for a client who was admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) 2 days ago, the nurse notes today's temperatu
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
is 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit (38.5 degreesCelsius). The appropriate nursing intervention is to
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Call the health care provider immediately
ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) Administer acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) Send blood, urine and sputum for culture
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) Increase the client's fluid intake - answersB) Administer acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A client is admitted for first and second degree burns on the face, neck, anterior chest and hands. The nurse's priority
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
should be
ap ap
A) Cover the areas with dry sterile dressings
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) Assess for dyspnea or stridor
ap ap ap ap ap
C) Initiate intravenous therapy
ap ap ap ap
D) Administer pain medication - answersB) Assess for dyspnea or stridor
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which of these clients who call the community health clinic would the nurse ask to come in that day to be seen by the hea
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
care provider?
ap ap
A) I started my period and now my urine has turned bright red.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) I am an diabetic and today I have been going to the bathroom every hour.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) I was started on medicine yesterday for a urine infection. Now my lower belly hurts when I go to the bathroom.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went. - answersD) I went to the bathroom
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which of these parents' comment for a newborn would most likely reveal an initial finding of a suspected pyloric stenosis
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) I noticed a little lump a little above the belly button.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
B) The baby seems hungry all the time.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
C) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across the room.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) Irritation and spitting up immediately after feedings. - answersC) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
across the room.
ap ap ap
The nurse is assessing a child for clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia.
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
Which factor would the nurse recognize as cause for the findings?
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
A) Decreased cardiac output
ap ap ap
B) Tissue hypoxia ap ap
C) Cerebral edema ap ap
D) Reduced oxygen saturation - answersB) Tissue hypoxia
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
The nurse would expect the cystic fibrosis client to receive supplemental pancreatic
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
enzymes along with a diet ap ap ap ap
A) High in carbohydrates and proteins
ap ap ap ap ap
B) Low in carbohydrates and proteins
ap ap ap ap ap
C) High in carbohydrates, low in proteins
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
D) Low in carbohydrates, high in proteins - answersA) High in carbohydrates and proteins
ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap ap
SolutionsManual, Chapter 1 ap apap apap 1–1817
©McGrawHill LLC. All rights reserved. Noreproduction or distribution withouttheprior written consent of McGrawHill LLC.
ap ap apap apap apap apap ap ap ap apap apap apap ap apap a pa p apap apap apap ap apap
