HESI A2
HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Practice Test
1. Why was the roadway of the Golden Gate Bridge so dangerous to build?
- A. It was located above a fast-moving river.
- B. It had to be perfectly balanced to avoid collapse.
- C. The materials used were very unstable.
- D. It was built during bad weather.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The passage describes how the road had to be balanced during construction to avoid collapse into the bay. Choice A is incorrect as the Golden Gate Bridge crosses a strait, not a river. Choice C is incorrect as there is no mention of unstable materials. Choice D is incorrect as bad weather is not highlighted as a specific reason for the danger in building the roadway.
2. Which statement is not listed as a detail within the passage?
- A. Changes in the ECG are typically used for the 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 electric changes.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The corrected statement should be: Changes in the ECG are not typically used for the diagnosis of abnormal cardiac rhythm. The passage mentions that the heart sends out electric currents in waves, and the 'wave of excitation' spreads through the heart wall accompanied by electric changes. It details the process of how the heart's electric impulses are recorded and how abnormalities can be detected. However, it does not state that ECG changes are specifically used for diagnosing abnormal cardiac rhythms. Choice A is the correct answer because it misrepresents the information provided in the passage. Choices B, C, and D are all supported by the passage and align with the details mentioned regarding the electrocardiogram and the wave of excitation in the heart.
3. The author suggests that persistent passivity and imperturbability may be a direct result of which of the following?
- A. Drug-induced stimulation of the amygdala.
- B. A stroke that resulted in severe tissue damage in the limbic system.
- C. Encephalitis as a result of head trauma.
- D. Activation of a strategically implanted electrode in a patient’s amygdala.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The passage highlights that damage to the limbic system, specifically the amygdala, can lead to passivity and lack of aggression. This is supported by the statement that patients with trauma or damage to the amygdala exhibit a complete absence of aggression. Thus, a stroke causing severe tissue damage in the limbic system, including the amygdala, can result in persistent passivity and imperturbability. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly relate to damage in the limbic system, which is specifically mentioned in the passage as the cause of the described behaviors.
4. What does the word 'integral' mean as used in the first paragraph of the passage?
- A. Central
- B. Initial
- C. Trifling
- D. Irrelevant
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In this context, 'integral' means 'central' or essential. The passage discusses the debate around spanking as a method of discipline. Some parents consider it an integral part of teaching right and wrong, highlighting its central importance. Therefore, the correct answer is 'A: Central.' Choice B, 'Initial,' is incorrect as the word 'integral' does not refer to something being at the beginning of a process or sequence. Choice C, 'Trifling,' is incorrect as 'integral' implies significance and importance, opposite to being trivial. Choice D, 'Irrelevant,' is incorrect as the passage clearly states that some parents view spanking as essential, making it relevant and not irrelevant.
5. What is the meaning of the word overturn in the last paragraph of the passage?
- A. Justify
- B. Invalidate
- C. Support
- D. Review
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The word "overturn" means to invalidate or negate existing guidelines. In this context, the passage questions whether the findings of the study are substantial enough to change established medical recommendations regarding caffeine intake during pregnancy, making option B the appropriate choice.
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