HESI A2 Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

Q11A pediatric order reads: 12 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses. The child weighs 22 kg. Available suspension is 60 mg/5 mL. How many mL is each dose?

• A7.33 mL
• B5.50 mL
• C11.00 mL
• D3.67 mL

Q12A physician orders heparin 1,200 units/hour. The pharmacy bag contains 25,000 units in 250 mL NS. What pump rate in mL/hr is correct?

• A12 mL/hr
• B10 mL/hr
• C8 mL/hr
• D15 mL/hr

Q13To prepare 600 mL of 0.6% NaCl by mixing 0.45% NaCl (Solution A) and 0.9% NaCl (Solution B), how many mL of Solution A are needed?

• A300 mL
• B150 mL
• C400 mL
• D200 mL

Q14A patient's fluid intake-to-output ratio must not exceed 3:2. If recorded output is 840 mL over 8 hours, what is the maximum allowable intake for that period?

• A1260 mL
• B1120 mL
• C1340 mL
• D1680 mL

Q15A nurse administers an infusion at 42 drops/min using tubing with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. How many mL/hour is the patient receiving?

• A144 mL/hr
• B148 mL/hr
• C176 mL/hr
• D168 mL/hr

Q16Read the following passage: 'Researchers now understand that chronic sleep deprivation does not merely cause fatigue; it fundamentally impairs the prefrontal cortex's regulatory functions, diminishing emotional control and risk-assessment capabilities. Paradoxically, severely sleep-deprived individuals often rate their own performance as adequate, unable to perceive their cognitive deficits.' Which inference is BEST supported by this passage?

• ASleep deprivation primarily damages physical coordination rather than cognition
• BA sleep-deprived person may confidently make poor clinical decisions without awareness of impairment
• CThe prefrontal cortex controls all functions that are affected by sleep loss
• DFatigue is a more dangerous symptom of sleep deprivation than cognitive impairment

Q17A medication label states: 'For external use only. Apply a thin layer to the affected area twice daily. Keep away from eyes, mouth, and open wounds.' A patient asks a nurse whether they can use the cream on a paper cut on their finger. Based solely on the written directions, what should the nurse advise?

• AThe cream should not be used on the cut because open wounds are listed as an area to avoid
• BThe label does not give enough information to advise the patient
• CThe cream is safe as long as it is not near the face
• DThe cream can be used on the paper cut because it is on the skin

Q18Passage: 'Urban emergency departments increasingly serve as the primary healthcare contact for uninsured patients. While this ensures immediate access to care, it strains department resources, extends wait times for all patients, and drives up costs that are absorbed system-wide. Some administrators advocate for linking ED visits to community health navigators who can connect patients with primary care.' What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage?

• AOverreliance on EDs for primary care creates systemic problems that require coordinated solutions
• BCommunity health navigators are the most effective solution to healthcare inequality
• CUninsured patients prefer emergency departments over primary care clinics
• DEmergency departments should be reserved exclusively for life-threatening emergencies

Q19Passage: 'The author of the hospital's new triage protocol writes with clipped, imperative sentences: each step numbered, each condition bracketed by precise thresholds, no passive voice, no hedging language.' What is the author's most likely PURPOSE in using this style?

• ATo demonstrate the author's medical expertise to peer reviewers
• BTo ensure rapid, unambiguous decision-making under high-stress conditions
• CTo entertain clinical staff with a memorable format
• DTo persuade administrators to adopt a particular philosophy of patient care

Q20A clinical study summary states: 'Patients who received the intervention showed a statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). However, the sample was drawn exclusively from patients at a single urban academic hospital.' What is the BEST inference about the applicability of these findings?

• AThe statistical significance means the findings will replicate in any population
• BThe findings can be generalized to all hypertensive adults worldwide
• CUrban populations always respond differently to interventions than rural populations
• DThe limited sample source may restrict how broadly the results apply