HESI A2
HESI A2 Reading Comprehension 2024 Questions
Extract:
Gout is a form of arthritis that typically comes on suddenly, causing intense joint pain, especially in the feet, ankles, wrists, or fingers. It is caused by the accumulation of urate crystals in the joint. Whereas normally, uric acid dissolves in the bloodstream and passes out of the body in the urine, at times, uric acid builds up, forming crystals. A diet rich in the foods that increase levels of uric acid—meat, seafood, fructose—may be a risk factor for gout.
It now appears that nurse-led treatments focusing on lifestyle may provide significant aid for gout patients. Medical treatment for gout has usually involved pain relievers and corticosteroids. In addition, doctors may prescribe uric acid inhibitors for patients who have recurrent gout attacks. A recent British study indicates that nurse-led care, which includes holistic education, lifestyle advice, and some form of urate-lowering therapy, is not only cheaper but also more successful than the usual physician-led treatment. Nurses were thoroughly trained in the causes and management of gout and were encouraged to include patients in decisions involving their own treatment. After two years, outcomes largely favored the nurse-led patients.
Question 1 of 5
What does the term inhibitors mean, as used in the second paragraph?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of pharmacology, the term "inhibitors" refers to substances that deter or prevent a specific biological process or action. In the second paragraph, the inhibitors are mentioned in relation to their role in slowing down the activity of enzymes.
Therefore, option
B) "Deterrents" is the correct answer because inhibitors hinder or deter the function of enzymes, thereby slowing down the biochemical reactions they catalyze.
Option
A) "Protectors" is incorrect because inhibitors do not protect or enhance enzyme activity; instead, they hinder it. Option
C) "Stressors" is also incorrect as inhibitors do not induce stress on enzymes but rather inhibit their function. Option
D) "Transporters" is incorrect as inhibitors do not facilitate the transport of molecules but rather impede enzymatic activity.
Understanding the concept of inhibitors in pharmacology is crucial for students to grasp how certain drugs work in the body by inhibiting specific enzymes or pathways. This knowledge is essential for comprehending drug actions, interactions, and potential side effects, making it a fundamental aspect of pharmacological education.
Question 2 of 5
Which is the best title for this passage?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The best title for this passage is "Nurse-Led Care Aids Gout Patients" because it accurately reflects the main focus of the text, which discusses the role of nurses in managing gout effectively. Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients about gout, assisting in medication management, and providing ongoing support.
Option A, "Medical Treatment for Gout," is too broad and does not capture the specific emphasis on nursing care in the passage. Option B, "Uric Acid Affects the Joints," is incorrect as it describes a symptom of gout rather than the main theme of the passage. Option C, "Risk Factors for One Type of Arthritis," is misleading as it does not address the central point about nursing care for gout patients.
In an educational context, understanding how to identify the main idea of a passage is crucial for effective reading comprehension. By selecting the correct title that accurately represents the central theme, students can demonstrate their ability to extract pertinent information and comprehend the key messages within written texts. This skill is vital for success in academic and professional environments where interpreting and summarizing information is essential.
Extract:
In California, three paint manufacturers recently settled a 19-year lawsuit for $305 million. Their crime (to which they did not admit) was marketing lead paint while knowing its toxicity. It was a surprising ending for many who believed that because the companies sold the paint prior to the government ban on its use, they could not be held liable for its harmful effects years afterward. The money will be used by municipalities to mitigate lead hazards in older homes, inspecting, evaluating, and removing paint where warranted. The funds are expected to be quickly depleted; there are thousands of such houses, and each could cost over $1,000 to remediate.
Even small amounts of lead in the body can result in serious health problems, but the symptoms are often difficult to associate with lead. In young children, lead exposure can cause brain damage leading to developmental delays, seizures, fatigue, or irritability. Adults may experience high blood pressure, muscle pain, or memory loss. Pregnant women exposed to lead over time are prone to miscarriages and stillbirths.
Although lead paint has been banned in the United States since 1978, and U.S. manufacturers stopped using lead-soldered cans in 1991, older buildings still have lead pipes, and lead may appear in bullets or batteries as well as in some pottery and toys made overseas. A major lead disaster occurred in 2015 when tests indicated dangerous lead levels in residents’ water in Flint, Michigan. In that case, lead leached from the water pipes when the state failed to treat the water with an anticorrosive agent. It took months for the city to declare a state of emergency, during which time thousands of children and adults had been poisoned.
Question 3 of 5
What is the meaning of the word leached as used in the last paragraph?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the context of the question regarding the meaning of the word "leached" as used in the last paragraph, the correct answer is
C) Seeped.
The term "leached" refers to a process where a substance, usually minerals or chemicals, is removed or extracted by dissolving and washing away slowly. In this case, it implies that something dissolved and seeped out gradually.
Option
A) "Sucked" is incorrect because "leached" does not imply a forceful extraction like sucking. Option
B) "Compressed" is incorrect as compression involves squeezing or pressing, not dissolving. Option
D) "Materialized" is incorrect because "leached" does not mean something appearing out of nowhere but rather something seeping or dissolving away.
Understanding vocabulary in context is crucial in reading comprehension, especially in scientific fields like pharmacology where precise terminology is vital. This question assesses your ability to grasp the meaning of a word within a specific context, a skill important for interpreting drug information, prescriptions, and research findings accurately. Improving your vocabulary skills can enhance your understanding of pharmacological terms and their applications in real-world scenarios.
Extract:
States offer a variety of home and community-based services aimed at enabling seniors to remain in their homes rather than transitioning to assisted-living or nursing homes. Caregiver and respite services are available in most states. Senior Companion or Friendly Visitor Programs are designed to provide social interaction for seniors. Volunteers, usually older retirees, visit the senior for conversation or simple recreational activities. In addition to preventing the isolation that often poses a mental and physical health risk to seniors, companions may alert families and doctors to new and potentially troubling health conditions.
Local offices for aging typically provide short- or long-term assistance with household chores. They offer transportation services to medical appointments, pharmacies, or grocery stores. For low-income seniors or seniors on fixed incomes, home repair assistance and heating or cooling assistance are available. Seniors who require wheelchairs may request modifications such as ramps and grab bars to make their homes more accessible.
By the year 2030, one in five Americans will be retirement age, and seniors will outnumber children for the first time in history. The state resources provided for our older relatives will become increasingly important as the population ages.
Question 4 of 5
What is the meaning of the word respite as used in the first paragraph?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this context, 'respite' refers to relief, providing caregivers with temporary rest or a break from their caregiving duties. The word 'respite' is associated with giving caregivers a brief period of relief, not with treatment, guardianship, or specialization. The extract mentions 'respite services' along with caregiver services, indicating that respite is a form of support or relief for caregivers.
Extract:
Most nail abnormalities are innocuous, but some may be clues to underlying health problems. Everyone should be alert to changes in the color, shape, or texture of his or her nails. Nails may provide an early warning sign to serious illness. White nails may indicate liver problems, especially when they are accompanied by yellowish skin on the fingers.
Yellow nails, on the other hand, usually just mean you have a treatable fungal infection. Pale nails can be a sign of anemia, whereas blue nails usually mean a lack of oxygen due to a lung or heart problem. If your usually smooth nails become pitted, this could be a sign of rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. If they are indented and soft, you may have a serious iron deficiency. If normally healthy nails suddenly crack and split, you may need to get your thyroid checked. Dark lines under the nail may indicate the deadly skin cancer, melanoma.
Any unusual changes in your nails should lead you to make an appointment with your general practitioner or with a dermatologist. Your nails may be trying to tell you something about what’s going on in the rest of your body.
Question 5 of 5
What is the meaning of the word innocuous as used in the first paragraph?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of pharmacology, understanding the meaning of words like "innocuous" is crucial for students to comprehend drug effects and safety. In this question, the correct answer is
B) Harmless.
The word "innocuous" means not harmful or unlikely to cause adverse effects. In pharmacology, when a substance is described as innocuous, it implies that it is safe and unlikely to cause any harm to the body.
Option
A) Undiscovered is incorrect because it does not relate to the meaning of innocuous in the context provided. Option
C) Imperceptible is incorrect as it means impossible to perceive, which is not synonymous with harmless. Option
D) Purposeless is also incorrect as it does not align with the definition of innocuous.
Educationally, understanding vocabulary in pharmacology is essential for accurate communication among healthcare professionals, safe medication administration, and patient education. By knowing the precise meanings of words like innocuous, students can make informed decisions regarding drug therapies, potential side effects, and patient care.