Hesi a2 reading comprehension practice test pdf

  • 1. 

    Blood PressureQuestions 1-4 are about the following passage. Lub-dub! Lub-dub! Lub-dub! This sound is made by the rapid contracting and extending of the chamber doors on the inside of the heart. This ventricular contracting injects roughly 70 milliliters of blood into a vascular system with a given volume at differing pressure. Blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arterial system and is typically taken in the brachial artery of the arm, because the pressure at different places along the circulatory route is different. Blood pressure is simply the force that the blood exerts in all directions within any given area and is the basis for the movement of blood from the heart, through the body, and back to the heart. This pressure is commonly expressed as a ratio of the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure or "high peak" pressure takes place within the arterial system as ventricles contract and force blood into the arteries. The diastolic pressure or "low peak" pressure takes place within this arterial system just before the next ventricular contraction. An increase in blood pressure can occur if the arterial walls lose some of their elasticity with age or disease.What is the main idea of the passage?

    • A. 

      Blood pressure overall measures the elasticity of the arteries near the heart as they stretch to accommodate expelled blood.

    • B. 

      Blood pressure within the arterial system takes into account that pressure is different at varying locations.

    • C. 

      Blood pressure is simply the force that the blood exerts in all directions within any given area, measured as a ratio.

    • D. 

      Blood pressure represents the pulse difference between ventricular contractions.

  • 2. 

    Which statement is not a detail from the passage?

    • A. 

      The ventricular contraction asserts capillary pressure that is about 70 mm Hg.

    • B. 

      The pressures at different places in the circulatory system are different.

    • C. 

      Increase in blood pressure can occur if arterial walls lose some of their elasticity.

    • D. 

      Blood pressure is expressed as a ratio of systolic over diastolic pressure.

  • 3. 

    What is the meaning of the word elasticity in the last paragraph?

    • A. 

      Something that is able to resist and be flexible

    • B. 

      Something that is like plastic

    • C. 

      Something that is dynamic and electrifying

    • D. 

      Something that is silly

  • 4. 

    What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay?

    • A. 

      To entertain

    • B. 

      To analyze

    • C. 

      To inform

    • D. 

      To persuade

  • 5. 

    Blood Pressure RegulatorsQuestions 5-8 are about the following passage. The body is composed of systems that have evolved and diversified in order to maintain the natural functions and processes they regulate. One such system that has these regulators is the body's cardiovascular system. The body's pump, which regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body as well as the discard of carbon dioxide and other waste products, is the heart. Because blood pressure varies at different points withing the body, differing components are needed to keep the body's blood pressure regulated. Three of the basic components are baroreceptors, chemorecteptors, and the kidneys. Baroreceptors are stretch receptors composed of fine branching nerve endings and are contained along the walls of the arteries near the heart and in other areas of the body as well. Impulses are related to this stretching along the arterial walls, which causes these baroreceptors to send out even more impulses to the heart, arteries, and veins, causing the blood pressure to go either up or down. Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in oxygen level, carbon dioxide, and pH. Just think! A fall in oxygen causes receptors to send impulses to raise the blood pressure. The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water and removing wastes. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex cause the kidney to keep or let go of any salt and water. This has an influence on blood volume and consequently on blood pressure. What is the main idea of the passage?

    • A. 

      Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring baroreceptors.

    • B. 

      Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring chemoreceptors.

    • C. 

      Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring the kidneys.

    • D. 

      Blood pressure can be regulated through baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys.

  • 6. 

    Which statement is not a detail from the passage?

    • A. 

      Baroreceptors are rigid and static nerve endings that are contained along the arterial walls and send out messages along the nerve pathway.

    • B. 

      Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in oxygen level.

    • C. 

      The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water.

    • D. 

      The heart is the body's pump, which regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to cells of the body.

  • 7. 

    What is the meaning of the word evolved in the first paragraph?

    • A. 

      To spread

    • B. 

      To gradually develop

    • C. 

      To revolve

    • D. 

      To shift

  • 8. 

    What is the writer's primary purpose in writing this essay?

    • A. 

      To analyze

    • B. 

      To inform

    • C. 

      To entertain

    • D. 

      To persuade

  • 9. 

    Doppler Effect Questions 9-12 are about the following passage.Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulance's screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulances comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight? What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast-approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch. What statement is not listed as a detail in the passage?

    • A. 

      The oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch owing to high frequency and closeness of waves.

    • B. 

      The oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch owing to low frequency and closeness of waves.

    • C. 

      The whistling sound of the locomotive as it approaches and passes can be explained by the Doppler effect.

    • D. 

      The high-pitched sound of the ambulance as it approaches and passes can be explained by the Doppler effect.

  • 10. 

    What is the main idea of the passage?

    • A. 

      Trains and ambulances make distinctly loud noises.

    • B. 

      Low-frequency waves make high-pitched sounds.

    • C. 

      High-frequency waves make low-pitched sounds.

    • D. 

      The Doppler effect explains the rationale for why the sound is heard initially more strongly and then faintly after a moving object has passed.

  • 11. 

    What is the meaning of the word phenomenon in the second paragraph?

    • A. 

      Something that is lifeless to the senses

    • B. 

      Something that is nonchalant

    • C. 

      Something that is significant but unusual

    • D. 

      Something that is chemical in origin

  • 12. 

    What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay?

    • A. 

      To entertain

    • B. 

      To inform

    • C. 

      To analyze

    • D. 

      To persuade

  • 13. 

    Electrocardiogram Questions 13-16 are about the following passage.Beep!...Beep!...Beep! is the audible rhythmic sound made as the strength of the heart muscle is measured. The signal cadence has a characteristic record that varies in every individual. This record is called an electrocardiogram, or ECG. In the body an array of systemic neural responses constantly occur, sending out electrical currents, The electrical currents can be detected on the surface of the body, and if a person is hooked to an amplifier, these impulses are recorded by an electrocardiograph. Most of the information obtained is about the heart because the heart sends out electrical currents in waves. This "wave of excitation" emmitted spreads through the heart wall and is accompanied by electrical changes. The wave takes place in three distinct steps. Initially the wave of excitation accompanied by an electrical change lasts for approximately 1 to 2 seconds after contraction of the cardiac muscle. The electrical impulses are discharged rhythmically from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the pacemaker of the heart. This spread of excitation over the muscle of the atrium indicates that the atrium has contracted. Next, the peak of the ECG reading is due to the atrioventricular or AV node causing the ventricle to become excited. Finally, the ventricles relax, and any changes in the wave indicate to trained medical staff any abnormalities within the heart. What is the author's primary purpose in writing the essay?

    • A. 

      To persuade

    • B. 

      To entertain

    • C. 

      To inform

    • D. 

      To analyze

  • 14. 

    Which statement is not listed as a detail within the passage?

    • A. 

      Changes in the ECG are typically used for diagnosis of abnormal cardiac rhythm.

    • B. 

      The signal has a characteristic record called the electrocardiogram.

    • C. 

      The wave of excitation starts at the SA node.

    • D. 

      The wave of excitation spreads through the heart wall and is accompanied by electrical changes.

  • 15. 

    What is the meaning of the word emitted as it is used in the second paragraph?

    • A. 

      Repelled

    • B. 

      Released

    • C. 

      Closed

    • D. 

      Charged

  • 16. 

    What is the main idea of the passage?

    • A. 

      Electrical currents within the body are due to electrostatic charges set off by the heart.

    • B. 

      The electrocardiogram systematically and rather quickly measures the stages at which the wave of excitation occurs within the heart and records it.

    • C. 

      The wave of excitation is detected on the surface of the body and measures the atrial excitation of the heart.

    • D. 

      The electrical currents within the body are in direct relation to the wave of excitation measured by the electrocardiogram.

  • 17. 

    The Water Cycle Questions 17-20 are about the following passage.Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms. The cycle starts when precipitation such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail descends form the sky onto the ground. Water not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans. Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants. Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensures. What is the meaning of the word composed in the first paragraph?

    • A. 

      To consist of

    • B. 

      To be uniquely discovered

    • C. 

      To be set apart

    • D. 

      To be surprised

  • 18. 

    What is the main idea of this passage?

    • A. 

      The formation of water from the joining of two hydrogen atoms to one atom of oxygen

    • B. 

      The versatility and importance of water as a universal solvent

    • C. 

      The explanation of the different components of the water cycle

    • D. 

      Rain is a trivial part of the life cycle

  • 19. 

    Which statement is not a detail from the passage?

    • A. 

      A single drop of water is made of a couple of hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms.

    • B. 

      Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor.

    • C. 

      Water not absorbed is runoff.

    • D. 

      Condensation fails to happen when water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid.

  • 20. 

    What was the author's primary purpose for writing this essay?

    • A. 

      To entertain

    • B. 

      To persuade

    • C. 

      To analyze

    • D. 

      To inform

How do I improve my HESI reading comprehension?

A FEW TIPS & TRICKS: Reading the questions before the passage offers a purpose. Use the answer choices to help you.  Eliminate any answers you know are wrong. Notice the language in the questions and the answer choices.

How many reading comprehension questions are on the HESI A2?

Hesi A2 reading comprehension is one section of the Hesi A2 exam. This test includes 47 questions that test your comprehension of short passages of reading and sentences, including your ability to identify main ideas, word meanings, context, and logical inferences.

Is HESI A2 entrance exam hard?

The HESI A2 Exam can be tough if you aren't prepared. Effective tools like HESI flashcards and HESI study guides can help. You won't waste time studying ineffectively or studying material not even included on the exam. Passing the HESI exam with a high score is your first step into an exciting new nursing career path.

What is the best way to study for the HESI A2?

Take some practice quizzes and try to re-create the testing environment as much as possible. For example, take the quizzes using a timer, and use only the materials allowed in the real exams. Use the textbooks above to review concepts that you missed when doing practice questions in the study guide.