HESI A2
HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Questions
Extract:
PHOTOTHERAPY:
Phototherapy, commonly referred to as light therapy, has been an established form of medicine for more than a century. In recent years it has become closely associated with seasonal affective disorder, of which it is an effective and well-known treatment, but it is also used to treat a broad range of medical issues including acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
The most common form of light therapy involves a patient sitting in front of a medically designed light box for a prescribed amount of time every morning. The light is positioned at an exact distance from the patient's eyes so that it strikes both the skin and the retina. The light box mimics the effects of natural sunlight, but the UV rays are filtered to ensure there is no damage to the patient's skin or eyes. Phototherapy is thought to be a safe method of reducing the amount of bacteria on the skin, reducing inflammatory responses, and affecting the chemicals in the brain associated with mood.
One of the most recent technologies to be associated with phototherapy is the phototherapy blanket. In the late 1960s it was discovered that phototherapy can be used to treat jaundice in newborn babies. Neonatal jaundice, a yellowing of the skin in newborn infants due to excess bilirubin levels in the blood, is usually harmless but can cause brain damage if left untreated. Newborns are given a phototherapy blanket, a small pad with flexible LED light panels sewn into the fabric, to sleep with until their livers are able to process the excess bilirubin.
The many benefits of phototherapy make it a valuable resource for addressing a variety of ailments. Emerging innovations in LED and photo technologies ensure that many more practical applications will be developed for this particular form of treatment in the years to come.
Question 1 of 5
Which statement would not be inferred by the reader?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. While the passage extensively discusses the benefits and applications of phototherapy, it does not mention that ultraviolet rays can cause damage to eyes and skin. This statement goes beyond the information provided in the passage and cannot be inferred.
A. The passage mentions that phototherapy has been around for more than a century, supporting the statement that some forms of phototherapy have been around for decades.
B. The passage discusses how new applications of phototherapy, like the phototherapy blanket, are being developed, making this statement valid as it aligns with the information provided.
C. Phototherapy being most often used to treat skin problems is supported by the passage, which mentions its applications in treating acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
Therefore, this statement can be inferred from the passage.
Extract:
VEGETERIAN DIET:
By studying the role diet might have in the prevention of cancer, recent studies have also noted that a vegetarian, or meatless, diet can help improve a person's overall health. A true vegetarian diet consists of a variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and pulses—edible seeds from legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils. A modified vegetarian diet, known as lacto-ovo vegetarian, may include dairy products and eggs. A vegan diet excludes any food with animal origins, including butter, eggs, and honey.
When properly planned, a true vegetarian diet can provide a person with all essential nutrients, protein, and carbohydrates. In one study, researchers at Oxford University noted that overall, a vegetarian diet is lower in saturated fats and higher in fiber than other diets. The study noted that people who followed a vegetarian diet were generally found to have lower cholesterol and lower BMI (a measure of body fat based on a person's weight and height) and to be at a lower risk for certain types of heart disease. From the evidence presented, researchers suggested that the adoption of a vegetarian diet could prevent more than 30,000 deaths a year that are attributed to heart disease.
Other available information indicates that vegetarians live, on average, seven years longer than meat eaters do. Throughout the world, breast, colon, and prostate cancers are more common among people who have a high-fat, high-meat, low-fiber diet. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Coop has said that diet is a factor in 70 percent of all people who die from disease in the United States. On the whole, vegetarians are less likely to be afflicted with chronic diseases than those who make meat a centerpiece of their diet.
Question 2 of 5
What is the author's attitude toward vegetarianism?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents a positive view of vegetarianism, citing benefits and supporting evidence.
Extract:
SPANKING:
Put a dozen parents together in a room, and you will most likely have a dozen different theories of parenting. One of the most debated issues in raising kids is how to discipline them, especially when it comes to the question of to spank or not to spank. Some moms and dads are sure that it is an integral part of showing their kids what is right and wrong. Others are equally sure that spanking is a cruel act of violence against kids. Which is it?
According to a new study reported at the American Psychological Association Summit Conference on Violence and Abuse in Relationships, spanking or other forms of corporal punishment apparently increase the risk of future sexual problems such as violent or coercive sex with partners. "The more children are spanked, the more aggressive they are and the more likely they are to engage in delinquent or at-risk behaviors," says Elizabeth Gershoff from the University of Michigan's School of Social Work. "Kids may learn that sometimes there's pain and fear involved in loving relationships."
Naturally, there are those who disagree as well. Some scientists believe that spanking two- to six-year-old children can be very helpful as long as parents are not angry or out of control emotionally. Human development researcher Robert Larzelere adds that parents simply must be able to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate use. Although opinion on spanking remains divided, research continues on this contentious issue. In the meantime, however, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to use other methods of discipline.
Question 3 of 5
Which is not mentioned as a possible result of being spanked in childhood?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Incontinence.' The passage discusses the negative consequences of spanking in childhood, such as increased aggression, delinquent behavior, and future sexual problems like coercive sex. However, incontinence is not mentioned as a possible result of being spanked.
Therefore, it is the correct choice.
Choices A, B, and C are all supported by the passage, making them incorrect answers.
Extract:
PHOTOTHERAPY:
Phototherapy, commonly referred to as light therapy, has been an established form of medicine for more than a century. In recent years it has become closely associated with seasonal affective disorder, of which it is an effective and well-known treatment, but it is also used to treat a broad range of medical issues including acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
The most common form of light therapy involves a patient sitting in front of a medically designed light box for a prescribed amount of time every morning. The light is positioned at an exact distance from the patient's eyes so that it strikes both the skin and the retina. The light box mimics the effects of natural sunlight, but the UV rays are filtered to ensure there is no damage to the patient's skin or eyes. Phototherapy is thought to be a safe method of reducing the amount of bacteria on the skin, reducing inflammatory responses, and affecting the chemicals in the brain associated with mood.
One of the most recent technologies to be associated with phototherapy is the phototherapy blanket. In the late 1960s it was discovered that phototherapy can be used to treat jaundice in newborn babies. Neonatal jaundice, a yellowing of the skin in newborn infants due to excess bilirubin levels in the blood, is usually harmless but can cause brain damage if left untreated. Newborns are given a phototherapy blanket, a small pad with flexible LED light panels sewn into the fabric, to sleep with until their livers are able to process the excess bilirubin.
The many benefits of phototherapy make it a valuable resource for addressing a variety of ailments. Emerging innovations in LED and photo technologies ensure that many more practical applications will be developed for this particular form of treatment in the years to come.
Question 4 of 5
What is the meaning of the word 'established' as used in the first paragraph?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this context, 'established' means 'founded' or set up for a long time. The word is used to indicate that phototherapy has been a recognized and in place form of medicine for over a century. 'Created' (choice
A) is incorrect as it implies the initial invention of phototherapy, which is not the intended meaning here. 'Ascertained' (choice
B) means to find out for certain, which does not match the context of how phototherapy has been practiced. 'Reputable' (choice
D) means having a good reputation, which is not the same as being long-standing or founded.
Extract:
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER:
Almost anyone who lives in a place where the winter months are mostly dark and rainy or snowy knows what it is like to yearn longingly for "just a few rays." For some people, however, this feeling is much more than a simple longing; it is a physical and emotional need. These people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Although in the past the experience has been put down to nothing more than "winter blues," more and more physicians are recognizing the fact that for some, it is much more than a mood swing.
Those with SAD not only get depressed, they struggle with lethargy and chronic fatigue, often to the point of impairing their daily lives. Other symptoms include anxiety, social withdrawal, appetite changes, weight gain, and insomnia. Although more women than men are diagnosed with SAD, men seem to have the most severe symptoms. Those who live in the north and those with a family history of SAD are at highest overall risk.
Currently, SAD is considered a subtype of bipolar disorder and/or depression, and physicians rely on thorough psychological and physical examinations to determine if a patient actually has the condition. If left untreated, SAD can actually lead to complications such as substance abuse or even suicidal thoughts. Treatment focuses primarily on light therapy but may be supplemented with medications and psychotherapy.
Question 5 of 5
The word lethargy as used in the second paragraph of the passage can best be defined as ___________.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this context, 'lethargy' refers to a state of sluggishness or lack of energy. The passage mentions that people with seasonal affective disorder (SA
D) struggle with lethargy and chronic fatigue, impairing their daily lives.
Therefore, the correct definition of 'lethargy' in this context is 'sluggishness.'
Choice B, 'Irritability,' is incorrect as lethargy refers more to a lack of energy than to being irritable.
Choice C, 'Energy,' is the opposite of lethargy.
Choice D, 'Starvation,' is unrelated to the definition of lethargy in this context.