HESI-A2 Practice Questions
Prepare for HESI-A2 with more than an answer.
- Level
- Admission Assessment
- Valid for
- Varies by institution (typically 1-2 years)
Domains covered on the exam 10
- Mathematics20%
- Reading Comprehension20%
- Vocabulary and General Knowledge20%
- Grammar10%
- Biology7.5%
- Chemistry7.5%
- Anatomy and Physiology7.5%
- Physics7.5%
- Learning Style Assessment
- Personality Profile
- 1
Which of the following sentences uses a comma correctly?
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Correct answer: B
This sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory adverbial phrase ('After checking the patient's vitals'). This comma separates the introductory element from the main clause ('the doctor updated the chart').
- 2
Which of the following are components of the central nervous system (CNS)? Select ALL that apply.
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Correct answer: A, C
The brain is the primary control center of the nervous system and is a core component of the CNS.
The spinal cord is the main pathway for information connecting the brain and the peripheral nervous system, and it is the other major component of the CNS.
- 3
An atom of Carbon has an atomic number of 6 and a mass number of 14. This specific atom is an isotope of carbon. How many protons, neutrons, and electrons does it have?
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Correct answer: B
The atomic number is equal to the number of protons, which is 6. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, so there are 6 electrons. The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons. To find the number of neutrons, subtract the atomic number from the mass number: 14 - 6 = 8 neutrons.
erDiagram ATOM ||--|{ PROTONS : has ATOM ||--|{ NEUTRONS : has ATOM ||--|{ ELECTRONS : has ATOM { string Element int Atomic_Number "= Protons" int Mass_Number "= Protons + Neutrons" } PROTONS { int count PK } NEUTRONS { int count PK } ELECTRONS { int count PK "= Protons (in neutral atom)"} - 4
A military time of 19:45 corresponds to what time in the 12-hour format?
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Correct answer: D
To convert military time to 12-hour PM time for hours greater than 12, subtract 12 from the hour. 19 - 12 = 7. The minutes remain the same. Since the hour is greater than 12, it is PM. Therefore, 19:45 is 7:45 PM.
- 5
In aerobic cellular respiration, which stage produces the most ATP molecules directly through substrate-level phosphorylation and also generates electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) for the electron transport chain?
flowchart TD A[Glucose] --> B{Glycolysis}; B --> C[Pyruvate]; C --> D{Krebs Cycle}; D --> E[NADH & FADH2]; E --> F{Electron Transport Chain}; F --> G[~34 ATP]; B -- Substrate-level phosphorylation --> H[2 ATP]; D -- Substrate-level phosphorylation --> I[2 ATP];Show answer details
Correct answer: B
The Krebs Cycle is the correct answer. For each molecule of glucose (which yields two turns of the cycle), it produces 2 ATP directly by substrate-level phosphorylation, and it generates a significant number of electron carriers: 6 NADH and 2 FADH2, which go on to produce a large amount of ATP in the electron transport chain.
- 6
A nurse is preparing to administer a 2.5 g dose of an antibiotic. The pharmacy supplies the medication in vials containing 500 mg per 2 mL of solution. How many milliliters (mL) should the nurse draw up to administer the correct dose?
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Correct answer: B
First, convert the required dose from grams to milligrams, as the medication concentration is in mg. Since 1 g = 1000 mg, 2.5 g is equal to 2500 mg. Next, set up a proportion to find the required volume in mL. The proportion is: 500 mg / 2 mL = 2500 mg / X mL. Solving for X gives (2500 mg * 2 mL) / 500 mg = 10 mL. Therefore, the nurse must draw up 10 mL.
- 7
Which of the following sentences contains a grammatical error in subject-verb agreement?
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Correct answer: B
The subject of this sentence is 'Each,' which is a singular indefinite pronoun. Therefore, the verb must also be singular. The correct verb form is 'requires,' not 'require.' The prepositional phrase 'of the patients' does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
- 8
A medical journal abstract states: 'The new treatment demonstrated a significant amelioration of symptoms.' What is the best synonym for 'amelioration'?
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Correct answer: C
Amelioration means the act of making something better or improving it. In a medical context, it refers to the reduction or improvement of symptoms or a condition. 'Exacerbation' is an antonym, meaning a worsening of symptoms. 'Diagnosis' is the identification of a disease, and 'complication' is a secondary problem that arises.
- 9
The cell membrane is primarily composed of a phospholipid bilayer, which is selectively permeable. Which TWO of the following processes require energy in the form of ATP to move substances across this membrane? (Select TWO)
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Correct answer: B, D
Active transport moves substances against their concentration gradient (from low to high concentration), which requires cellular energy (ATP). The sodium-potassium pump is a classic example.
Endocytosis is the process by which cells take in large particles or substances by engulfing them, forming a vesicle. This process requires energy (ATP) to change the shape of the cell membrane. Osmosis and facilitated diffusion are forms of passive transport and do not require ATP.
- 10
Case Study: Patient Intake
A nursing student is reviewing a patient's intake and output (I&O) chart for an 8-hour shift. The patient consumed 6 oz of juice, 1 cup of coffee, and half of a 500 mL bottle of water. During the same period, the patient's urinary output was 450 mL and a wound drain collected 50 cc.
What is the patient's total fluid intake in milliliters (mL) for the shift? (Note: 1 oz ≈ 30 mL, 1 cup ≈ 240 mL, 1 cc = 1 mL)
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Correct answer: C
To calculate the total intake, each amount must be converted to milliliters and then summed.
- Juice: 6 oz * 30 mL/oz = 180 mL
- Coffee: 1 cup * 240 mL/cup = 240 mL
- Water: 0.5 * 500 mL = 250 mL
Total Intake = 180 mL + 240 mL + 250 mL = 670 mL.
The output information (urinary and drain) is not needed to answer the question about intake.
