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HESI A2 Reading comprehension practice questions

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These are original practice items written to the HESI A2 blueprint (4 options, no penalty for wrong answers), not actual exam questions. Try each one before you open the answer.

What this topic covers

Reading comprehension sits inside the Reading Comprehension section of the HESI A2. Our bank holds 93 verified items tagged to it, and the 4 below are a fixed sample so the page stays the same every time you open it. Each one shows the reasoning, not just the letter.

The topic tag comes from our own items rather than from a published syllabus, so treat it as a map of what we cover. For the official section breakdown see the HESI A2 page.

Reading comprehension sample questions

Question 1

Despite advances in pain management, many post-surgical patients report inadequate pain relief. A survey of 500 patients found that 60% felt their pain was not well controlled. The authors suggest that better education of nursing staff on pain assessment tools could improve outcomes.

Which of the following is a supporting detail?

  1. A 60% of patients felt their pain was not well controlled.
  2. B Nursing staff need more education.
  3. C Pain management has advanced.
  4. D Post-surgical patients often report pain.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

A supporting detail provides specific evidence to back up the main claim. The statistic '60% of patients felt their pain was not well controlled' is a concrete data point that supports the idea that many patients have inadequate relief.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: This is a suggestion or recommendation, not a detail from the survey.
C: This is a general statement that sets up the contrast but is not a specific supporting detail.
D: This is a broad claim that is not supported by specific numbers in the passage.

Question 2

Passage: "Effective communication between healthcare providers and patients is essential for quality care. When patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options, they are more likely to adhere to medical advice. Clear communication also reduces the risk of medical errors. Using plain language, avoiding jargon, and confirming understanding through teach-back methods are strategies that improve patient outcomes."

What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. A Clear communication in healthcare leads to better patient outcomes.
  2. B Medical errors are always caused by poor communication.
  3. C Patients should use medical jargon to communicate with doctors.
  4. D Teach-back methods are the only effective communication strategy.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

The passage emphasizes that effective communication improves adherence, reduces errors, and leads to better outcomes. Option B captures this main idea. Option A is the opposite; the passage advises avoiding jargon. Option C is too absolute; poor communication is a cause but not the only cause. Option D is also absolute; teach-back is one strategy, not the only one.

Why the other options are wrong:
B: The passage says clear communication reduces errors, but it does not claim that all errors are caused by poor communication.
C: The passage recommends using plain language and avoiding jargon, so patients should not use medical jargon.
D: The passage mentions teach-back as one strategy among several, not as the only effective one.

Question 3

The human body maintains a stable internal environment through homeostasis. For example, when body temperature rises, sweat glands produce sweat to cool the skin. Similarly, when blood sugar levels drop, the pancreas releases glucagon to raise glucose levels.

What is the main idea of this passage?

  1. A The pancreas releases glucagon to raise blood sugar.
  2. B Blood sugar levels sometimes drop in the body.
  3. C Sweating cools the body when temperature rises.
  4. D Homeostasis involves feedback mechanisms to regulate body conditions.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D

The passage introduces homeostasis and then gives two examples of feedback mechanisms (sweating and glucagon release) that regulate body conditions. This overarching concept is the main idea.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: This is another supporting detail from the passage.
B: This is a specific condition mentioned but not the central point.
C: This is a supporting detail, not the main idea.

Question 4

The term 'iatrogenic' refers to an illness or condition caused by medical treatment. For example, a patient who develops a urinary tract infection from an indwelling catheter has an iatrogenic infection. Understanding this term is important for nurses to accurately document and communicate patient conditions.

In the context of the passage, what does 'iatrogenic' mean?

  1. A Acquired in a hospital.
  2. B Caused by a disease.
  3. C Resulting from medical intervention.
  4. D Related to genetics.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C

The passage explicitly defines iatrogenic as 'caused by medical treatment', which is equivalent to 'resulting from medical intervention'. The example of a catheter-caused infection reinforces this.

Why the other options are wrong:
A: Hospital-acquired infections may be iatrogenic if from treatment, but the term specifically requires causation by medical intervention, not just location.
B: Iatrogenic conditions are caused by treatment, not by the disease itself.
D: Genetics is unrelated; iatrogenic refers to medically induced conditions.

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