Original HESI A2 practice questions across all seven academic sections — Math, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology — each with a written explanation. No sign-up to try the free set. The full 68-question timed exam is a one-time $39 purchase.
Free sample questions with explanations
Free sample questions with explanations
Free sample questions with explanations
Free sample questions with explanations
Free sample questions with explanations
Free sample questions with explanations
Free sample questions with explanations
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1. Evaluate: 18 + 6 × (9 − 4) ÷ 3
Answer: B. Following the order of operations, 9 − 4 = 5, then 6 × 5 ÷ 3 = 10, and 18 + 10 = 28.
2. Thirst often becomes a less reliable signal as people age. Older adults also tend to have less total body water than younger adults, and some take medications that increase fluid loss. As a result, they can become dehydrated before they feel the need to drink. For this reason, many caregivers offer fluids at regular intervals instead of waiting for a request. What is the main idea of this passage?
Answer: C. The passage describes several reasons older adults are vulnerable to dehydration and concludes that caregivers should offer fluids before they are requested.
3. A nurse reads in a patient's chart that a medication is contraindicated for the patient. What does this mean?
Answer: B. A contraindication is a condition or factor that makes a particular treatment or drug inadvisable because it could be harmful.
4. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
Answer: B. The subject 'nurse' is singular, and the phrase 'along with two students' does not change it, so the singular verb 'is' is correct.
5. Which organelle is the primary site of ATP production through aerobic respiration in eukaryotic cells?
Answer: B. Mitochondria carry out the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, generating most of the cell's ATP.
6. An atom has 17 protons, 18 neutrons, and 17 electrons. What is its mass number?
Answer: C. Mass number equals protons plus neutrons (17 + 18 = 35).
7. A nurse describes a wound on the patient's forearm as being located proximal to the wrist. Which statement best explains this term?
Answer: B. Proximal means nearer to the point of attachment to the trunk, so a site proximal to the wrist lies closer to the elbow.
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1. Evaluate: 18 + 6 × (9 − 4) ÷ 3
A. 40B. 28C. 30D. 58Answer: B. Following the order of operations, 9 − 4 = 5, then 6 × 5 ÷ 3 = 10, and 18 + 10 = 28.
2. What is the sum of 2 3/4 and 1 5/6, expressed as a mixed number in lowest terms?
A. 3 8/10B. 4 1/3C. 4 7/12D. 4 5/6Answer: C. Using a common denominator of 12, 33/12 + 22/12 = 55/12, which equals 4 7/12.
3. Thirst often becomes a less reliable signal as people age. Older adults also tend to have less total body water than younger adults, and some take medications that increase fluid loss. As a result, they can become dehydrated before they feel the need to drink. For this reason, many caregivers offer fluids at regular intervals instead of waiting for a request. What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Most medications taken by older adults cause severe dehydration.B. Caregivers often fail to notice when older adults are thirsty.C. Age-related changes increase the risk of dehydration, so fluids should be offered proactively.D. Older adults need more total fluid each day than younger adults.Answer: C. The passage describes several reasons older adults are vulnerable to dehydration and concludes that caregivers should offer fluids before they are requested.
4. Bone is living tissue that is constantly being rebuilt. Cells called osteoclasts dissolve small areas of old bone, and cells called osteoblasts then lay down new material in those spaces. During childhood, new bone forms faster than old bone is removed. Later in adulthood, this balance gradually shifts, and bone density may decline. According to the passage, what happens after osteoclasts dissolve small areas of old bone?
A. Osteoblasts lay down new material in those spaces.B. Bone density immediately begins to decline.C. Osteoclasts convert into osteoblasts.D. The empty spaces remain until adulthood.Answer: A. The passage directly states that osteoblasts lay down new material in the spaces left by osteoclasts.
5. A nurse reads in a patient's chart that a medication is contraindicated for the patient. What does this mean?
A. The medication should be taken with foodB. The medication should not be used because it may cause harmC. The medication must be given at a higher doseD. The medication is only available by prescriptionAnswer: B. A contraindication is a condition or factor that makes a particular treatment or drug inadvisable because it could be harmful.
6. Which word best completes the sentence? The eye doctor placed drops in the patient's eyes to ______ the pupils before the examination.
A. constrictB. dilateC. occludeD. lubricateAnswer: B. To dilate means to widen or enlarge, which is the purpose of mydriatic drops used before an eye exam.
7. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
A. The box of surgical gloves are on the supply cart.B. The nurse, along with two students, is reviewing the chart.C. Each of the patients are scheduled for a morning exam.D. Neither the doctor nor the nurses was available.Answer: B. The subject 'nurse' is singular, and the phrase 'along with two students' does not change it, so the singular verb 'is' is correct.
8. Choose the sentence that uses the correct pronoun.
A. The charge nurse assigned Maria and I to the pediatric unit.B. Between you and I, the shift was exhausting.C. The nurse gave the instructions to him and me.D. Her and the technician reviewed the lab results.Answer: C. Both 'him' and 'me' are objects of the preposition 'to,' so the objective case is required.
9. Which organelle is the primary site of ATP production through aerobic respiration in eukaryotic cells?
A. Golgi apparatusB. MitochondrionC. LysosomeD. Rough endoplasmic reticulumAnswer: B. Mitochondria carry out the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, generating most of the cell's ATP.
10. A human somatic cell with 46 chromosomes undergoes mitosis. How many chromosomes will each daughter cell contain?
A. 23B. 46C. 92D. 69Answer: B. Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells, each with the same chromosome number as the parent (46).
11. An atom has 17 protons, 18 neutrons, and 17 electrons. What is its mass number?
A. 17B. 34C. 35D. 52Answer: C. Mass number equals protons plus neutrons (17 + 18 = 35).
12. Which of the following elements is a halogen?
A. NeonB. ChlorineC. SodiumD. CalciumAnswer: B. Chlorine is in Group 17 of the periodic table, which is the halogen group.
13. A nurse describes a wound on the patient's forearm as being located proximal to the wrist. Which statement best explains this term?
A. The wound is closer to the fingertips than the wristB. The wound is closer to the elbow than the wristC. The wound is on the back surface of the forearmD. The wound is on the side of the forearm away from the midlineAnswer: B. Proximal means nearer to the point of attachment to the trunk, so a site proximal to the wrist lies closer to the elbow.
14. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation?
A. Right atriumB. Right ventricleC. Left atriumD. Left ventricleAnswer: D. The left ventricle has the thickest wall and ejects oxygen-rich blood through the aorta to the body.
Yes. This page has 14 free practice questions across all seven HESI A2 academic sections, each with a written explanation. The full 68-question bank and the timed practice exam are a one-time $39 purchase — no subscription.
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The HESI A2 covers Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary & General Knowledge, Grammar, Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology. This free test has questions from every one of those sections.
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