91 Reading Comprehension questions written for the HESI A2, each with a rationale explaining why the correct answer is correct and why the others are not. Free, no account required. 10 examples are shown below.
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The answer: C — Caffeine intake should be moderated because individual sensitivity and potential negative effects vary Think of it this way: The passage starts with a warning about excessive intake, explains metabolism and sensitivity, and ends with a recommendation — all pointing to moderation as the main point. Why C is right: The passage covers risks of excessive caffeine, individual sensitivity differences, and the expert recommendation to limit intake. All these details support the central idea that caffeine should be consumed in moderation. Why the others are wrong: - A (Caffeine metabolism occurs in the liver and affects the nervous system): This is a supporting detail, not the main idea. The passage is not primarily about metabolism. - B (Excessive caffeine can cause insomnia, but moderate use is always safe): The passage does not say moderate use is "always safe" — it says it is "generally considered safe," which is a qualified statement, not absolute. - D (Genetic factors determine how much caffeine a person can consume without harm): This is another supporting detail, not the overarching point the author is making. Remember: The main idea is the central point the author wants you to take away — often found in the first or last sentence. Supporting details provide evidence for that main idea, not the idea itself.
The answer: B — Chaperone proteins help fold proteins correctly. Think of it this way: An inference is a logical conclusion based on information in the passage, even if not stated outright. The passage says the UPR increases chaperone production to cope with ER stress, which implies chaperones assist in protein folding. Why B is right: The passage states that during ER stress, the UPR increases chaperone production. Since ER stress involves misfolded proteins, it is logical to infer that chaperones help correct folding. Why the others are wrong: - A (The UPR always prevents cell death): The passage says unresolved stress can trigger apoptosis, so the UPR does not always prevent death. - C (ER stress only occurs in diseased cells): The passage describes it as a general cellular response, not limited to disease. - D (Apoptosis is harmful in all circumstances): The passage presents apoptosis as a natural process, and it can be beneficial in removing damaged cells. Remember: Inferences must be directly supported by the text, not based on outside knowledge or assumptions.
The answer: C — Cautionary and concerned Think of it this way: The author uses words like "threat," "despite warnings," and "could once again become deadly" — these signal worry and a call for caution. Why C is right: The passage warns about the consequences of antibiotic overuse, calling it a "greatest threat" and describing potential deadly outcomes. This tone is clearly cautionary and concerned. Why the others are wrong: - A (Optimistic): The passage focuses on negative consequences, not hope. - B (Neutral/objective): The language is evaluative and warning, not purely factual. - D (Sarcastic): There is no irony or mockery in the text. Remember: Tone is conveyed through word choice (diction). Look for emotionally charged words to determine the author's attitude.
The answer: A — Becoming a registered nurse requires completing an accredited program, passing the NCLEX-RN, and meeting ongoing education requirements. Think of it this way: A summary should cover the main steps in the process without adding extra details or opinions. Why A is right: The passage describes three main steps: completing a nursing program, passing the NCLEX-RN, and continuing education. Option A captures all three succinctly. Why the others are wrong: - B (The NCLEX-RN is the most difficult part): The passage does not compare difficulty; this is an opinion not stated. - C (Nurses can specialize... after passing the licensing exam): This is a detail, not a summary of the entire process. - D (Nursing education takes exactly four years): The passage says it takes 'between two and four years,' not exactly four. Remember: A good summary covers the entire passage, not just one part, and avoids adding information not in the text.
The answer: B — Although sleep is crucial for brain function, many college students choose to sleep less in order to study. Think of it this way: The passage sets up a contrast between what is known about sleep's importance and what students actually do. Why B is right: The passage first explains why sleep is vital (memory consolidation, waste clearance) and then states that despite these benefits, many students sacrifice sleep for studying. This contrast captures the central point. Why the others are wrong: - A (College students should aim to sleep at least nine hours...): The passage mentions fewer than seven hours but never recommends nine hours. This is an unsupported detail. - C (Memory consolidation only occurs during deep sleep stages): The passage says it happens during deep sleep but does not claim it is "only" there. This is an overstatement. - D (Mood disorders are the most common consequence...): The passage lists several consequences but does not rank them. This is beyond what is stated. Remember: The main idea is the overarching point the author makes, not a specific detail. Look for the sentence that summarizes the entire passage.
The answer: B — They may need to rely more on dietary sources or supplements for vitamin D. Think of it this way: The passage says sunlight helps the body make vitamin D, and that people in northern latitudes may have low levels — so if sunlight is scarce, other sources become important. Why B is right: The passage states that people in northern latitudes 'may have insufficient levels' because of limited sun exposure. It then lists dietary sources. From this, we can logically infer that such individuals would need to depend more on food or supplements. Why the others are wrong: - A (Guaranteed to develop deficiency): The word 'guaranteed' is too strong — the passage says 'may have insufficient levels,' not that deficiency is certain. - C (Should avoid fortified foods): The passage recommends fortified foods as a source, so avoiding them would be counterproductive. - D (At higher risk regardless of vitamin D levels): The passage links low vitamin D to respiratory infections, but it does not say that winter-dwellers are at higher risk independent of their vitamin D status. Remember: An inference is a logical conclusion based on evidence in the text. Avoid choices that are too extreme or that introduce information not supported by the passage.
The answer: b — The pain medication was effective, reducing pain from 8 to 3 Think of it this way: The most important thing to document is whether the treatment worked — pain went from 8 to 3, so the med was effective. Why b is right: This is critical clinical documentation showing the patient's response to intervention, which guides future pain management decisions. Why the others are wrong: - a (The patient was nervous about the surgery): This is subjective and not the key clinical finding. - c (The patient slept well the previous night): Not directly relevant to the pain intervention. - d (The surgeon visited at 9 AM): This is a routine event, not the most important detail. Remember: Always document the response to treatment — did the pain med work? That's the key detail.
The answer: C — The patient is experiencing fluid overload from noncompliance with sodium restriction Think of it this way: In heart failure, too much salt is like adding water to an already full balloon — the body holds onto fluid, causing weight gain, swelling, and trouble breathing. Why C is right: The rapid weight gain (4 pounds in 3 days), increased edema, and worsening dyspnea are classic signs of fluid retention in heart failure. This pattern is most commonly caused by dietary noncompliance with sodium restriction, which leads to fluid overload. Why the others are wrong: - A (The patient's medications are no longer effective): While possible, the rapid weight gain and edema point to fluid overload from sodium intake rather than gradual medication failure. - B (The patient has developed a respiratory infection): A respiratory infection could cause dyspnea but would typically present with fever or productive cough, not weight gain and edema. - D (The patient's heart failure has progressed to a terminal stage): Terminal progression is possible but less likely given the acute changes over just 3 days. Remember: In heart failure, weight gain + edema + worsening dyspnea = fluid overload. Think "salt and water retention" first, especially when symptoms come on quickly.
The answer: B — Critically ill patients require rest periods with minimal stimulation to promote recovery Think of it this way: ICU patients are like phones on low battery — they need to conserve energy and avoid distractions to recharge and heal. Why B is right: Restricted visiting hours in the ICU are based on evidence that critically ill patients need periods of rest and reduced sensory stimulation to support recovery. ICU patients have compromised physiological reserves and may be on life-sustaining therapies that require monitoring without interruption. Why the others are wrong: - A (The facility lacks adequate staff to supervise visitors in the ICU): This is an assumption not supported by the policy's clinical reasoning. - C (ICU patients typically have fewer family members who want to visit): This is not necessarily true and not the reason for restrictions. - D (The policy was created arbitrarily without clinical justification): The restrictions are evidence-based, not arbitrary. Remember: ICU visiting restrictions = patient rest and recovery. Think "less stimulation = more healing for critically ill patients."
The answer: B — The patient may be experiencing sundowning, a common phenomenon in dementia Think of it this way: Sundowning is like the brain's 'internal clock' getting confused as the sun goes down, making dementia symptoms worse in the evening. Why B is right: Sundowning is a well-known pattern in dementia where confusion, agitation, and disorientation get worse in the late afternoon or evening. The caregiver's report of worsening confusion specifically in the evening hours fits this perfectly. It's linked to circadian rhythm changes, fatigue, and low lighting. Why the others are wrong: - A (The patient's dementia is naturally progressing): Dementia progression is usually more gradual and not limited to evenings, so this specific pattern points to sundowning instead. - C (The patient needs to be placed in a nursing home immediately): This is too extreme and premature; sundowning can often be managed with routines and environmental changes at home. - D (The patient is purposely confusing the caregivers): Dementia is a neurological condition, not a choice; patients don't purposely cause confusion. Remember: Sundowning = worsening confusion in the evening. Manage it with consistent routines, good lighting, and calm activities — not by jumping to nursing home placement.
