Reading Comprehension HESI A2 Practice Test

Extract:

THE FOOD PYRAMID:
The food pyramid is a visual representation of how the different food groups can be combined to form a healthy diet. Although it was a vital part of dietary guidelines for years before being replaced by the ï¿½MyPlateï¿½ model, the pyramid was constantly analyzed and revised as additional study was done in nutritional fields. A few years ago, the pyramid underwent a change regarding the unique dietary needs of seniors.
Modifications in the pyramid for older adults included an emphasis on fiber and calcium, as well as on vitamins D and B12. By incorporating these changes, the pyramid indicated that the nutrients found in a personï¿½s routine daily consumption typically are not enough for seniors. Seniors need supplementation. As people age, they tend to move less and thus need fewer calories to maintain their weight. Because seniors tend to eat a more limited amount, dietitians urge them to choose wisely. They are encouraged to eat nutrient-rich meals featuring such foods as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and high-fiber whole grains.
The revised pyramid also focused on the importance for older people of ingesting adequate amounts of fluids daily. This helps to ensure proper digestion and prevent dehydration. Finally, the revised pyramid included information on incorporating exercise and other physical activities into the lives of older adults. Suggestions included swimming, walking, or simple yard work. With recent reports indicating that obesity levels for people older than 70 years of age are climbing, performing some type of regular exercise is more essential than ever.

Question 1 of 5

Which of the following is not mentioned as being important for seniors?

A. Vitamin B12 B. Calcium C. Nitrates D. Exercise

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The passage lists important nutrients for seniors, including fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and B12, while exercise is also discussed as crucial for health. However, nitrates are not mentioned at all, making option C correct since it stands out as the only nutrient not discussed in the context of seniors' health

Extract:

BEAUTY THE BEAST:
In recent years, there have been frightening headlines about harmful ingredients such as mercury and lead in ordinary cosmetics. However, these are hardly the first examples of people paying a heavy price to conform to cultural ideals of beauty. This tradition has been around for centuries.
Ancient Egyptians decorated their eyes with malachite (a green ore of copper), galena (a lead sulfide), and kohl (a paste made from soot, fat, and metals such as lead). While these cosmetics may have enhanced their appearance, they also led to health problems such as insomnia and mental confusion.
The ancient Greeks took these practices even further. They applied lead to their entire faces to clear their complexions and improve skin coloration. This practice resulted in health issues ranging from infertility to insanity. The lead ointment whitened their facesï¿½a sign of beautyï¿½while red lead was added to the cheeks for a rosy glow. To make matters worse, they also used hair dyes containing lead.
The Romans adopted these toxic beauty practices, and some historians suspect that lead poisoning contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. As recently as 2007, lipsticks and mascaras were found to contain lead and mercury. Additionally, phthalatesï¿½industrial chemicals that can cause birth defects and infertilityï¿½are present in personal care products such as shampoos, lotions, perfumes, and deodorants.
An old saying states that beauty has a price, and sometimes that price may be much higher than consumers realize. It is important to be aware of what you are putting on your face.

Question 2 of 5

What is the meaning of the word conform as used in the first paragraph?

A. Authorize B. Fit in C. Hand over D. Bewilder

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this context, "conform" means to fit in with societal norms or standards, particularly those related to beauty. The passage describes how individuals may compromise their health to meet these cultural ideals, indicating that conformity relates to adhering to social expectations of beauty, making option B the correct interpretation.

Extract:

MICROBES IN HUMAN HEALTH:
There are 10 times more microbes than human cells in the human body. Scientists have long known that the human body hosts a staggering number of microorganisms. Recent discoveries, however, are shedding light on how pivotal these bacteria are in the development of the human immune system. The body supports a wide array of microorganisms specially adapted to survive in particular regions. Remarkably, there is such variation in these microorganisms that few people share the same strains in the same quantities.
The colonization of microbes begins at birth. A newborn infant, emerging from the germ-free environment of the womb, is immediately exposed to germs from its mother's birth canal. These bacteria swiftly begin to breed and colonize the infant's body, which becomes their new host. The most fascinating discovery is not just that the immune system tolerates these millions of harmless organisms, but that it may actually rely on their presence to function properly.
For example, laboratory mice unable to produce a specific inflammation-reducing molecule were injected with a particular strain of bacteria. After the bacteria colonized, the mice's immune systems developed the ability to synthesize the molecule. Essentially, the mice needed the bacteria for their immune systems to function correctly.
This concept is also being applied to humans through a relatively experimental procedure known as fecal bacteriotherapy. This treatment reintroduces healthy bacteria into a colon that has lost its ability to defend against pathogens. While scientists are only beginning to understand the critical role these microorganisms play in human health, early research has yielded remarkable discoveries.

Question 3 of 5

Which of the following is not listed as a detail in the passage about microbes?

A. Babies are born coated with germs from the birth canal. B. Mice and humans respond to microbes differently. C. Few people share the same microbes in the same quantities. D. Human bodies contain far more microbes than they do cells.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the passage does not detail that mice and humans respond to microbes differently. The passage discusses how laboratory mice required a particular strain of bacteria to help their immune systems function correctly, indicating a difference in how mice and humans respond to microbes.

Choices A, C, and D are all details mentioned in the passage: A discusses babies being coated with germs from the birth canal, C talks about the variation in microbes among individuals, and D states that human bodies contain more microbes than cells.

Extract:

Lifewings Partners:
What do pilots, astronauts, physicians, and risk managers have in common? In this case, they are all part of Lifewings Partners, an organization based in Memphis, Tennessee, dedicated to eliminating mistakes and accidents in medical settings across the United States.
Lifewings Partners highlights the need for vigilance in medical environments. According to the Institute of Health, approximately 98,000 patients die each year in U.S. healthcare settings due to medical errors. Examples of such errors include a man who had the wrong testicle removed in a Los Angeles hospital, a young boy who suffered brain damage from anesthesia during a routine hernia surgery, and a hospital in Rhode Island that performed brain surgery on the wrong side of the brain on three different patients in less than a year.
To combat these issues, Lifewings Partners not only advocates for internal changes in medical procedures and the establishment of checklists but also focuses on patient education. They recommend that consumers research a hospitalï¿½s safety record online, discuss safety standards with their doctors, and inquire about facilities with the best safety records.
Founder Steve Harden emphasizes, ï¿½Just because a hospital has a great reputation for cutting-edge medicine doesnï¿½t necessarily mean the hospital is the safest place to go for routine procedures.ï¿½ He warns that some mistakes are too significant and irreversible to risk, underscoring the importance of careful selection and preparation in healthcare settings.

Question 4 of 5

The word watchdog as used in the second paragraph of the passage can best be defined as ___________.

A. companion B. guard C. manager D. punisher

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this context, "watchdog" refers to a guard or overseer, specifically relating to Lifewings Partners' mission of ensuring safety and preventing medical errors. The organization acts as a monitor in healthcare settings, which aligns with the definition of a watchdog, confirming that option B is correct.

Extract:

Modern PE Classes:
In some schools around the country, physical education classes look a lot different than they did a generation or two ago. Kids are still in motion, stretching, running, lifting, and sweating. But instead of everyone doing the same activity at the same time as a team, they are exercising independently. They are being taught movements and activities that their teachers hope they will incorporate into their lives rather than just perform long enough to get a good grade.
By teaching kids the pleasure of exercise, gym teachers hope to instill important lessons about maintaining good health, staying fit, and keeping weight under control. Students can also participate in low-impact sports like yoga, martial arts, and weight lifting. Instead of playing basketball or baseball, they can focus on more general skills like passing the ball.
A growing number of physical education (PE) teachers are also putting more of an emphasis on general nutrition and health. With the continual increase in the number of children who are obese, there is greater pressure to teach students how to stay fit. To do this, gym teachers have to look at new ways to introduce exercise to their students that will not intimidate or overwhelm them but instead intrigue and engage them.
One other difference found in some modern gym classes is the grading system. Instead of being graded on their ability to run laps in a set time or make a certain number of baskets, the students are graded simply on the effort they make in the class. Some even get extra credit if they are the sweatiest students in the room!

Question 5 of 5

Which is not listed as an example of a low-impact sport?

A. Martial arts B. Basketball C. Yoga D. Weight lifting

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Basketball is not listed as a low-impact sport in the extract provided; the others (martial arts, yoga, and weight lifting) are considered low-impact activities. The extract mentions that students can participate in low-impact sports like yoga, martial arts, and weight lifting in modern PE classes, emphasizing their benefits and the focus on general skills. Basketball, on the other hand, is not included in the list of low-impact sports mentioned in the extract, making it the correct answer. This demonstrates the importance of understanding the difference between high-impact and low-impact sports for maintaining fitness and health.

Nurselytic

HESI A2

HESI A2