which statement would not be inferred by the reader in the passage about hypertension

HESI A2

Reading Comprehension Practice Test HESI A2

1. Which statement would not be inferred by the reader in the passage about Hypertension?

A. Maintaining a healthy weight may help to prevent hypertension.
B. There is presently no reliable treatment for hypertension.
C. Your ethnicity may contribute to your risk for hypertension.
D. A 60-year-old is more likely to have hypertension than a teenager is.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The passage clearly states that there are treatments for hypertension, so the statement that there is presently no reliable treatment for hypertension cannot be inferred from the text. Choice A can be inferred from paragraph 3 where it mentions losing weight to decrease blood pressure. Choice C can be inferred from paragraph 1 where it states that African Americans are more likely to have hypertension. Choice D can be inferred from paragraph 2 where it explains that older people are most often diagnosed with hypertension due to changes in blood vessels as they age.

2. What is the purpose of white elephants in the tradition mentioned in the passage?

A. White elephants are symbols of wealth and power.
B. White elephants represent unwanted and burdensome gifts.
C. White elephants are used in religious ceremonies.
D. White elephants are mythological creatures with no real use.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the tradition mentioned in the passage, white elephants were given as punishment gifts by rulers to those who displeased them. These white elephants were considered burdensome because they were sacred and could not be made to work like other elephants. The recipients had to bear the high maintenance costs and care for the white elephants in a lavish style, leading to financial burdens and sometimes impoverishment. This tradition originated the term 'white elephant' to denote unwanted gifts. Therefore, the correct answer is B. Choice A is incorrect because white elephants were not symbols of wealth and power in this context; they were burdensome gifts. Choice C is incorrect as there is no mention of white elephants being used in religious ceremonies in the passage. Choice D is incorrect as white elephants in the tradition were real elephants, not mythological creatures with no practical use.

3. Throughout this passage, the word suit means?

A. A set of clothing.
B. A group of cards in a deck.
C. A legal case.
D. A formal request.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. In the passage, the word 'suit' refers to one of the four groups of cards in a deck of playing cards. The passage explains how the suits of cards, such as spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs, are used in the game of Bridge. Choice A, 'A set of clothing,' is incorrect as it does not relate to the context of playing cards. Choice C, 'A legal case,' and Choice D, 'A formal request,' are also incorrect as they have no relevance to the discussion of card games in the passage.

4. Which statement could be inferred by the reader from the last paragraph of the passage?

A. Procedures that Lifewings Partners recommends are always effective.
B. Medical mistakes can happen at even the best hospitals.
C. City hospitals know more than others about cutting-edge medicine.
D. Medical mistakes will one day be completely eradicated.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The inference that medical mistakes can happen even at reputable hospitals is suggested by the warning from Steve Harden about the risks involved. The passage acknowledges that even well-regarded facilities are not immune to errors, thereby supporting option B as a logical conclusion drawn from the text.

5. What is the main idea of the passage about microbes?

A. Recent discoveries are revealing the critical role of microorganisms in maintaining a properly functioning immune system.
B. The human body is host to a staggering number of microorganisms.
C. Bacteriotherapy reintroduces healthy bacteria into a colon lacking the capability to defend against pathogenic agents.
D. Early research has shown remarkable discoveries in the possibilities of bacteriotherapy.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The main idea of the passage is that recent discoveries are shedding light on the pivotal role of microorganisms in maintaining a properly functioning immune system. The passage discusses how the human body hosts a wide array of microorganisms, emphasizes the importance of these bacteria in the development of the immune system, and explores the potential applications of bacteriotherapy. Choice A is the correct answer because it accurately reflects the central theme discussed in the passage. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they focus on specific details or applications mentioned in the passage, rather than capturing the overarching theme of the critical role of microorganisms in immune system function.