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HESI A2 Reading study materials
HESI A2 Reading study resources

HESI A2 Reading practice questions

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Question 1Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "The clinic opens at 8 a.m. on weekdays, but on Saturdays it does not open until 10 a.m." According to the passage, what time does the clinic open on Saturday?

  1. It stays closed
  2. 8 a.m.
  3. Noon
  4. 10 a.m. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage directly contrasts weekday opening time (8 a.m.) with Saturday opening time (10 a.m.). The word "but" signals the switch, so the Saturday time is the second one given.

Question 2Reading Comprehension

Read this sentence: "Because the medication caused drowsiness, the nurse advised the patient to avoid driving." What is the stated cause of the advice?

  1. The patient's work schedule
  2. The cost of the medication
  3. The patient's age
  4. The medication's side effect Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence uses "because" to link the medication's drowsiness effect to the nurse's advice. Cause-and-effect signal words point directly to the reason given in the text.

Question 3Reading Comprehension

A paragraph begins: "Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent infection." The remaining sentences describe how long to wash and which soap to use. What is the main idea of the paragraph?

  1. Infection rates have risen in hospitals
  2. Washing hands takes at least one minute
  3. Hand hygiene prevents infection and should be done properly Correct answer.
  4. Liquid soap works better than bar soap

Explanation

The topic sentence states the main point, and the supporting sentences explain how to carry it out. The main idea combines the claim about prevention with the practical guidance that follows.

Question 4Reading Comprehension

A passage says: "The study followed 200 participants for six months; however, only 150 completed the final survey." What does the word "however" signal in this sentence?

  1. A conclusion drawn from the data
  2. An additional supporting example
  3. A repetition of the same idea
  4. A contrast with the information before it Correct answer.

Explanation

"However" is a contrast signal: it shows the second clause limits or opposes the first. Recognizing transition words helps readers track how ideas relate.

Question 5Reading Comprehension

A passage describes a patient who reports thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue, and whose blood glucose is elevated. Which conclusion is best supported by these details?

  1. The patient's symptoms are consistent with high blood sugar Correct answer.
  2. The patient has been fasting too long
  3. The patient is dehydrated from exercise
  4. The patient likely has a respiratory infection

Explanation

The listed symptoms plus elevated glucose all point toward high blood sugar. A supported conclusion must follow from the details given rather than from outside assumptions.

Question 6Reading Comprehension

In the sentence "The physician reviewed the chart before entering the room," what does the word "reviewed" most nearly mean?

  1. Copied
  2. Ignored
  3. Examined Correct answer.
  4. Filed

Explanation

Context makes clear the physician looked over the chart to prepare. "Reviewed" in this setting means examined or studied the information.

Question 7Reading Comprehension

A passage explains: "Vaccines train the immune system by exposing it to a harmless piece of a pathogen, so the body can recognize the real germ later." What is the stated purpose of a vaccine?

  1. To eliminate all pathogens from the environment
  2. To replace the immune system
  3. To help the body recognize a germ in the future Correct answer.
  4. To cure an existing infection

Explanation

The passage explicitly states that the vaccine prepares the body to recognize the real germ later. The purpose is preparation, not treatment of current illness.

Question 8Reading Comprehension

A paragraph opens with a question: "Why do so many people skip breakfast?" The rest of the paragraph lists reasons such as lack of time and early schedules. What is the author's main purpose in this paragraph?

  1. To explain reasons people skip breakfast Correct answer.
  2. To persuade readers to eat breakfast
  3. To describe a typical morning routine
  4. To compare breakfast foods

Explanation

The paragraph raises a question and then answers it with a list of reasons. When a paragraph asks a question and answers it, the purpose is usually to explain.

Question 9Reading Comprehension

A passage notes that a hospital's readmission rate fell from 18% to 12% after a discharge-education program began. Which statement is best supported by this information?

  1. Patients disliked the education program
  2. The program caused hospitals to close beds
  3. The program eliminated all readmissions
  4. Readmissions decreased after the program started Correct answer.

Explanation

The data show a drop in readmissions following the program's start, which supports a decrease. The passage does not establish that the program was the sole cause or that readmissions ended.

Question 10Reading Comprehension

Read this sentence: "The nurse spoke to the patient quietly, and the patient later said she felt calmer." What inference about the nurse's approach is most reasonable?

  1. The nurse gave the patient medication
  2. The nurse's tone may have helped the patient relax Correct answer.
  3. The nurse was too busy to talk
  4. The patient was angry about the conversation

Explanation

The two clauses are connected, and the patient's calmness followed the quiet conversation. A reasonable inference links the described behavior to the described outcome without overstating it.

Question 11Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "Although the new scheduling system reduced waiting times, several staff members reported that it was difficult to learn." Which statement best captures the author's overall point?

  1. Waiting times increased after the change
  2. The system should be abandoned immediately
  3. The system has both benefits and drawbacks Correct answer.
  4. Staff members refused to use the system

Explanation

The sentence balances a positive outcome (shorter waits) against a negative one (difficulty learning). Recognizing balanced statements prevents readers from overgeneralizing in either direction.

Question 12Reading Comprehension

In a passage about hydration, the author writes: "Elderly patients often have a blunted thirst response; as a result, they may not drink even when their bodies need fluid." What does "blunted" mean as used here?

  1. Reduced Correct answer.
  2. Delayed
  3. Sharpened
  4. Ignored

Explanation

The context explains the effect: patients may not drink when they need fluid, meaning the thirst signal is weakened. "Blunted" means dulled or reduced in this usage.

Question 13Reading Comprehension

A passage presents two studies: one found that a drug lowered blood pressure, and another found no significant effect. What is the most appropriate way for the reader to interpret the passage?

  1. Both studies must be fabricated
  2. The drug definitely works
  3. The evidence is mixed and needs further review Correct answer.
  4. The second study should be ignored

Explanation

When sources conflict, a careful reader acknowledges the disagreement rather than choosing the preferred result. Mixed evidence calls for further review, not a firm conclusion.

Question 14Reading Comprehension

A passage says: "The clinic expanded its evening hours. Since then, visits by working adults have increased by 30%." Which word in the passage signals the relationship between these two statements?

  1. Since Correct answer.
  2. Visits
  3. Increased
  4. Expanded

Explanation

"Since then" marks a time-based relationship suggesting the later change followed the earlier one. Recognizing such signal words helps readers trace sequence and possible causation.

Question 15Reading Comprehension

A paragraph states: "Patients who received written discharge instructions were 40% less likely to return to the emergency department within 30 days." Which question would best test the reliability of this claim?

  1. Were the written instructions given in large print?
  2. Did the hospital have a cafeteria?
  3. What color were the instruction sheets?
  4. How many patients were in each comparison group? Correct answer.

Explanation

Sample size affects how much confidence a percentage comparison deserves. Asking about group sizes directly evaluates whether the finding is reliable.

Question 16Reading Comprehension

Read this passage: "The lab requires patients to fast for eight hours before a cholesterol test. Water is permitted during the fast, but coffee with cream is not." What can a reader conclude about black coffee during the fast?

  1. It is clearly permitted
  2. It replaces the need for water
  3. It is clearly prohibited
  4. The passage does not specify whether it is allowed Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage permits water and prohibits coffee with cream, but says nothing about black coffee. A careful reader avoids assuming a rule the text does not state.

Question 17Reading Comprehension

A passage describes a patient's recovery: "On day one, she could not sit up. By day three, she walked to the door. On day five, she walked the hallway twice." What pattern does the passage illustrate?

  1. A sudden decline in health
  2. Recovery followed by relapse
  3. Steady improvement over time Correct answer.
  4. No change in condition

Explanation

Each day's milestone is more demanding than the last, showing gradual progress. Tracking a sequence of details reveals the overall pattern.

Question 18Reading Comprehension

An author writes: "It is tempting to blame long wait times entirely on staffing shortages, but scheduling inefficiencies also play a major role." What is the author's attitude toward the staffing explanation?

  1. Partly skeptical Correct answer.
  2. Completely indifferent
  3. Openly hostile
  4. Fully supportive

Explanation

The author acknowledges the staffing explanation as tempting but adds another cause, signaling partial doubt. Qualifying words like "but" reveal a measured, skeptical stance.

Question 19Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "Handwashing with soap removes pathogens from the skin; hand sanitizer is a useful alternative when soap and water are unavailable." Which statement best reflects the passage's comparison?

  1. Sanitizer is always superior to soap
  2. Soap and water are preferred, with sanitizer as a backup Correct answer.
  3. Soap should never be used
  4. Both methods are equally effective in all situations

Explanation

The passage presents soap and water as the primary method and sanitizer as an alternative when they are unavailable. The comparison ranks them rather than treating them as identical.

Question 20Reading Comprehension

A passage reports: "The survey found that 70% of respondents preferred morning appointments. The survey was distributed only to patients who had attended morning appointments in the past year." What is the main weakness of the survey?

  1. Too many respondents answered
  2. The survey was conducted in the morning
  3. The percentage was calculated incorrectly
  4. The sample was biased toward morning-appointment users Correct answer.

Explanation

Surveying only people who already chose morning appointments makes a morning preference likely. A biased sample weakens the conclusion drawn from the results.

Question 21Reading Comprehension

Read this passage: "Some argue that electronic health records reduce errors by eliminating handwriting problems. Others counter that poorly designed interfaces introduce new kinds of errors." What is the structure of this passage?

  1. A problem followed by its solution
  2. A chronological history of a technology
  3. A single claim supported by one example
  4. Two opposing positions presented without a verdict Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage sets one argument against another using "some argue" and "others counter" without resolving the debate. Identifying structure means noting how the parts relate, not just what each says.

Question 22Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "The correlation between nurse staffing levels and patient satisfaction was strong, but the study could not determine whether staffing caused the satisfaction." Why does the author include the second clause?

  1. To argue that the study was unnecessary
  2. To show that satisfaction caused staffing
  3. To emphasize that correlation does not prove causation Correct answer.
  4. To suggest staffing levels are unimportant

Explanation

The second clause qualifies the finding by noting that a correlation cannot establish cause. This is a common caution in research reporting.

Question 23Reading Comprehension

A passage describes a patient's chart note: "Patient denies chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations." A reader unfamiliar with charting might misread "denies." What does it mean in this context?

  1. Has forgotten about
  2. Reports the absence of Correct answer.
  3. Refuses to discuss
  4. Is unable to feel

Explanation

In clinical documentation, "denies" means the patient reports not having the symptom. Context-a list of symptoms in a chart note-signals this technical meaning rather than refusal.

Question 24Reading Comprehension

A passage claims: "Because our hospital's new triage protocol reduced wait times, every hospital should adopt it." Which assumption does this argument rely on?

  1. Patients prefer shorter waits to better care
  2. Triage protocols are rarely changed
  3. What worked in one hospital will work in other settings Correct answer.
  4. Wait times are the only measure of hospital quality

Explanation

Generalizing from one hospital to all hospitals assumes the result will transfer to different settings. Identifying that assumption exposes the argument's weak point.

Question 25Reading Comprehension

A paragraph states: "The pamphlet's reading level was rated at grade twelve, yet most of its readers had a sixth-grade reading level." What is the most likely implication of this contrast?

  1. The reading level rating was impossible
  2. The pamphlet was too difficult for its intended audience Correct answer.
  3. The readers were unusually well educated
  4. The pamphlet was too short

Explanation

A mismatch between a high reading level and a lower audience level implies the material may be hard to understand. The word "yet" highlights the problematic gap.

Question 26Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "The clinic's new intake form asks patients to list every medication they take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements." According to the passage, which items does the form ask patients to include?

  1. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements Correct answer.
  2. Only prescription medications written by a physician
  3. Only supplements and herbal products
  4. Only medications taken in the past year

Explanation

The passage lists three categories the form covers: prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. A reader must notice that the phrase "including over-the-counter drugs and supplements" widens the list rather than limiting it. Any answer that narrows the list to one category misreads the stated scope.

Question 27Reading Comprehension

Read this sentence from a patient-education handout: "Take the tablet with food to reduce stomach upset." What reason does the handout give for taking the tablet with food?

  1. To speed up how quickly the drug works
  2. To reduce stomach upset Correct answer.
  3. To improve the tablet's taste
  4. To prevent the drug from being absorbed

Explanation

The handout states the purpose directly with the phrase "to reduce stomach upset." In a cause-purpose sentence like this, the infinitive phrase after "to" names the intended effect of the instruction. No other outcome is mentioned in the sentence.

Question 28Reading Comprehension

A paragraph reads: "The wound care team revised its dressing-change protocol. Since the revision, the rate of surgical-site infections on the unit has dropped by nearly half." Which conclusion is best supported by the paragraph?

  1. The revised protocol is associated with fewer surgical-site infections. Correct answer.
  2. The unit now treats twice as many surgical patients as before.
  3. Surgical-site infections were caused entirely by poor hand hygiene.
  4. Dressing changes are no longer necessary on the unit.

Explanation

The paragraph links a protocol change to a later drop in infection rates, so the safest supported claim is that the two are associated. The text reports a before-and-after pattern, not a controlled experiment, so it supports association rather than proof of cause. Answers that add causes or changes in patient volume go beyond what is stated.

Question 29Reading Comprehension

A passage notes: "The pharmacy began offering delivery to patients with limited mobility. Refill adherence among those patients rose from 55% to 78% within six months." What does the passage suggest about the delivery service?

  1. It reduced the total number of prescriptions written.
  2. It caused adherence to fall among other patient groups.
  3. It may have helped patients with limited mobility keep up with refills. Correct answer.
  4. It was offered only to patients living far from the pharmacy.

Explanation

The passage pairs the start of delivery with a rise in refill adherence among the same group of patients, which suggests a helpful connection. The wording reports a pattern over time rather than proving cause, so the hedged answer is the accurate one. Other options introduce groups or effects the passage never describes.

Question 30Reading Comprehension

In a passage about fall prevention, the author writes: "Grab bars in bathrooms are inexpensive, easy to install, and proven to reduce falls. Yet many home-safety programs omit them from their checklists." What is the author's main point?

  1. Home-safety programs should stop using checklists.
  2. Grab bars are too costly for most home-safety programs.
  3. A proven, low-cost safety measure is often overlooked. Correct answer.
  4. Bathroom falls cannot be prevented by any device.

Explanation

The author contrasts the strong case for grab bars with their frequent absence from checklists, which is the tension the passage is built around. The main idea combines both halves of that contrast, not just one. Answers that reverse the cost claim or dismiss prevention miss the author's stance.

Question 31Reading Comprehension

Read this sentence: "Although the patient's fever had resolved, the care team kept her for observation another night." What does the sentence imply?

  1. The team believed the fever was the only concern.
  2. The fever had returned before morning.
  3. The patient refused to leave the hospital.
  4. The team wanted to monitor her despite the improvement. Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast word "although" sets up a tension: the fever improved, yet the team still kept the patient. That structure implies the team wanted continued monitoring for reasons beyond the fever. The sentence says nothing about refusal or a returning fever.

Question 32Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "Nurses on the night shift reported more medication near-misses than nurses on the day shift. However, the night shift also had fewer staff per patient and a higher proportion of new employees." What is the best interpretation of the passage?

  1. New employees should not be assigned to any shift.
  2. Staffing and experience differences may explain the difference in near-misses. Correct answer.
  3. Night-shift nurses are less careful than day-shift nurses.
  4. Medication near-misses never occur on the day shift.

Explanation

The passage reports a difference and then supplies two alternative explanations: thinner staffing and more new employees. A careful reader treats these as confounds rather than proof of carelessness. The passage never says day-shift near-misses are zero, only that they are fewer.

Question 33Reading Comprehension

A passage says: "The hospital's patient portal allows patients to view test results, request refills, and message their providers. However, patients without reliable internet access cannot use these features." What limitation does the passage identify?

  1. Test results are never posted to the portal.
  2. The portal is too expensive for the hospital to maintain.
  3. Patients without reliable internet access cannot use the portal's features. Correct answer.
  4. Providers do not respond to messages sent through the portal.

Explanation

The word "however" signals the limitation that follows: lack of reliable internet access blocks use of the portal. The first sentence lists features, and the second sentence names who is excluded from them. The remaining options describe problems the passage does not mention.

Question 34Reading Comprehension

A paragraph explains: "A standard blood pressure cuff must match the patient's arm size. A cuff that is too small can give a reading that is falsely high; one that is too large can give a reading that is falsely low." Which statement best summarizes the paragraph?

  1. Blood pressure readings are unreliable in all patients.
  2. Large cuffs are more accurate than small cuffs.
  3. Blood pressure cuffs should always be the smallest size available.
  4. Cuff size affects accuracy, so the cuff must fit the patient's arm. Correct answer.

Explanation

The paragraph's main point is that cuff size must match the arm because mismatches distort readings in either direction. A summary should capture both the requirement and the reason. Options that favor one size or dismiss all readings distort the balanced explanation.

Question 35Reading Comprehension

Read this passage: "The clinic mailed reminder postcards one week before each appointment. No-shows fell from 20% to 9%. The following year, the clinic added text-message reminders and no-shows fell to 5%." Which statement is best supported?

  1. No-shows can never be reduced below 5%.
  2. Text messages alone caused the drop from 20% to 9%.
  3. Postcards were discontinued after the first year.
  4. Adding text reminders was followed by a further drop in no-shows. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage reports two sequential changes and two sequential drops, so the safest claim is that the added text reminders were followed by a further decline. The first drop happened before text messages existed, which rules out attributing it to them. Nothing in the passage sets a floor for no-shows.

Question 36Reading Comprehension

In a passage about handoff communication, the author writes: "Verbal handoffs alone leave room for omission. A written summary, read back by the receiving nurse, closes that gap." What does the author recommend?

  1. Letting the receiving nurse write the summary alone
  2. Replacing verbal handoffs entirely with written notes
  3. Combining a written summary with a read-back during handoff Correct answer.
  4. Shortening handoffs so less information is exchanged

Explanation

The author identifies a weakness in verbal-only handoffs and proposes a written summary that the receiving nurse reads back. The recommendation is additive, pairing the written summary with verbal exchange rather than eliminating one side. Read-back by the receiver is a specific detail the correct option preserves.

Question 37Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "The brochure was written at a tenth-grade reading level. A follow-up survey found that many patients did not understand the discharge instructions it contained." What does the passage imply about the brochure?

  1. Its reading level was the lowest possible.
  2. It contained no discharge instructions at all.
  3. Its reading level may have been too high for its audience. Correct answer.
  4. It was written for physicians rather than patients.

Explanation

The passage pairs a fairly high reading level with poor patient comprehension, which implies a mismatch between the text and its audience. The implication depends on connecting the two stated facts rather than adding new ones. The passage never names the audience's exact reading level, so the hedged wording is appropriate.

Question 38Reading Comprehension

Read this sentence: "The unit's supply closet is reorganized every Friday, but by Wednesday the shelves are cluttered again." What does the sentence suggest?

  1. The closet is never reorganized.
  2. Reorganization happens weekly but does not last. Correct answer.
  3. Friday is the busiest day for supply use.
  4. Supplies are no longer used on the unit.

Explanation

The "but" clause contrasts a regular Friday routine with the clutter that returns by midweek, suggesting the tidy state is short-lived. The sentence confirms that reorganization does occur, which rules out the claim that it never happens. No information is given about supply use or which day is busiest.

Question 39Reading Comprehension

A passage reports: "In a survey of 200 patients, 65% said they preferred telehealth visits for follow-up care. The survey was conducted online and was open only to patients who had already used telehealth." Which weakness in the survey does the passage reveal?

  1. The survey asked too many questions about cost.
  2. The sample size was far too small to report any percentage.
  3. The respondents were limited to patients with prior telehealth experience. Correct answer.
  4. The survey was conducted in person rather than online.

Explanation

The passage states that only patients who had already used telehealth could respond, which biases preferences toward that service. A survey of experienced users cannot represent patients who have never tried telehealth. The passage also says the survey was online, so the in-person claim is factually wrong.

Question 40Reading Comprehension

A passage notes: "The correlation between nurse staffing ratios and patient satisfaction scores was strong. The study did not track staffing changes over time." What limitation does the passage point out?

  1. Staffing ratios were measured in only one hospital.
  2. Satisfaction scores were never collected.
  3. The study could not establish that staffing changes cause satisfaction to change. Correct answer.
  4. The correlation was too weak to report.

Explanation

Without tracking changes over time, a correlational study cannot show which variable drives the other, so causal claims are unsupported. The passage calls the correlation strong, which rules out the weak-correlation option. It also reports satisfaction scores, so denying that data were collected is wrong.

Question 41Reading Comprehension

A chart note reads: "Patient denies chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations." What does this note mean?

  1. The patient reported having all three symptoms.
  2. The patient was unable to answer questions.
  3. The patient's symptoms were not recorded.
  4. The patient said he did not have these symptoms. Correct answer.

Explanation

In clinical charting, "denies" means the patient stated that the symptom is not present. The note therefore records the absence of all three symptoms, not their presence. Confusing "denies" with "reports" is a common reading error in medical documentation.

Question 42Reading Comprehension

A passage claims: "Because one hospital cut its emergency wait times after hiring more triage nurses, every hospital should hire more triage nurses." Which criticism of the argument is most accurate?

  1. It fails to define what a triage nurse does.
  2. It generalizes from a single case without showing the result applies elsewhere. Correct answer.
  3. It relies on data collected from too many hospitals.
  4. It ignores the cost of triage nurses entirely.

Explanation

The argument moves from one hospital's experience to a recommendation for all hospitals, which is a hasty generalization. A single case cannot establish that the same result will occur in different settings with different constraints. The other options name issues the argument does not actually depend on.

Question 43Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "The pamphlet's reading level was rated at grade twelve, yet most of its readers read at a sixth-grade level." What does the passage suggest about the pamphlet?

  1. Its reading level was never measured.
  2. It was written well below its readers' level.
  3. It was written well above its readers' level. Correct answer.
  4. It matched its readers' level exactly.

Explanation

Grade twelve is six grades above the readers' sixth-grade level, so the pamphlet was written above its audience. The contrast word "yet" signals the mismatch. The passage states the rating directly, so the claim that it was never measured is false.

Question 44Reading Comprehension

Read this paragraph: "The clinic's interpreter service was used in 40% of visits with patients who speak limited English. In visits where an interpreter was used, reported misunderstandings about medication instructions were half as common." What does the paragraph suggest?

  1. Interpreter use is linked to fewer medication misunderstandings. Correct answer.
  2. The clinic should reduce interpreter use to save time.
  3. Interpreter services are unnecessary for most visits.
  4. Medication misunderstandings are caused only by language barriers.

Explanation

The paragraph compares misunderstanding rates with and without interpreter use and finds fewer misunderstandings when interpreters were present. That supports a link between interpreter use and clearer medication communication. The passage does not claim language is the only cause of misunderstandings, nor does it recommend reducing interpreter use.

Question 45Reading Comprehension

A passage notes: "The new discharge checklist requires a nurse to confirm that the patient can state each medication's purpose and dose before leaving." What must the patient be able to do before discharge under this checklist?

  1. Explain each medication's purpose and dose Correct answer.
  2. Schedule a follow-up appointment online
  3. Recite the hospital's visitor policy
  4. Name the nurse who provided care

Explanation

The passage specifies that the patient must be able to state the purpose and dose of each medication. That is the exact standard the checklist sets before discharge. The other tasks are not mentioned in connection with the checklist.

Question 46Reading Comprehension

In a passage on shift scheduling, the author writes: "Twelve-hour shifts are popular with staff because they add days off. But fatigue in the final hours can erode attention, and attention is exactly what bedside care demands." What is the author's attitude toward twelve-hour shifts?

  1. Fully supportive, since staff prefer them
  2. Indifferent, since scheduling is not a safety issue
  3. Cautiously critical, noting a trade-off Correct answer.
  4. Completely opposed under all circumstances

Explanation

The author acknowledges a genuine benefit of twelve-hour shifts and then raises a safety concern about fatigue. That balance signals a cautiously critical stance rather than outright support or rejection. The final clause ties attention directly to patient care, showing the author treats the issue as important.

Question 47Reading Comprehension

A passage states: "The laboratory reports critically low potassium results by phone within thirty minutes, in addition to posting them in the electronic record." Why does the laboratory call in addition to posting results?

  1. To satisfy a patient request for a phone call
  2. Because phone reports replace all written documentation
  3. To make sure urgent results reach the care team quickly Correct answer.
  4. Because the electronic record is unavailable to providers

Explanation

The passage describes a phone call for critically low results within a short window, which exists to speed urgent communication. The phrase "in addition to" shows the call supplements, rather than replaces, the posted result. No patient request or system outage is mentioned.

Question 48Reading Comprehension

A passage says: "The hospital replaced paper menus with a tablet-based ordering system. Food-service staff now spend less time deciphering handwriting, and tray errors have declined." Which benefit does the passage attribute to the new system?

  1. Faster cooking times in the kitchen
  2. Lower food costs across the hospital
  3. Shorter stays for patients on special diets
  4. Fewer errors in tray delivery Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage names two effects of the tablet system: less time spent on handwriting and a decline in tray errors. Only the error reduction appears among the options. Food costs, length of stay, and cooking times are not discussed.

Question 49Reading Comprehension

A passage presents two viewpoints: "Some nurses argue that bedside report gives patients a chance to hear and correct information. Others counter that it can disturb rest and that sensitive details are better discussed elsewhere." Which statement best captures the passage?

  1. The passage argues that report should be eliminated.
  2. The passage resolves the debate in favor of bedside report.
  3. The passage presents competing views on bedside report without settling the debate. Correct answer.
  4. The passage shows that bedside report is universally disliked.

Explanation

The passage sets out arguments for and against bedside report using "some argue" and "others counter." It offers no conclusion, so the accurate summary is that competing views are presented. Claiming a resolution or universal dislike adds a position the passage does not take.

Question 50Reading Comprehension

Read this sentence: "The pharmacist's note was brief, but it flagged an interaction that three earlier reviews had missed." What does the sentence emphasize about the note?

  1. It was written by someone without training.
  2. Its length made it less useful than longer notes.
  3. It repeated findings from earlier reviews.
  4. Its brevity did not prevent it from being valuable. Correct answer.

Explanation

The "but" structure contrasts brevity with importance, emphasizing that a short note still caught a serious problem. The note found something the earlier reviews missed, so it added value rather than repeating them. Nothing in the sentence questions the writer's qualifications.