HESI READING COMPREHENSION
Blood Pressure
Lub-dub! Lub-dub! Lub-dub! This sound is made by the rapid contracting and extending of the chamber doors on
... [Show More] the inside of the heart. This ventricular contracting injects roughly 70 mL of blood into a vascular system with a given volume at differing pressure.
Blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arterial system; and it is typically taken in the brachial artery of the arm because the pressure at different places along the circulatory route is different. Blood pressure is simply the force that the blood exerts in all directions within any given area and is the basis for the movement of blood from the heart, through the body, and back to the heart. This pressure is commonly expressed as a ratio of the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure.
The systolic pressure or “high peak” pressure takes place within the arterial system as ventricles contract and force blood into the arteries. The diastolic pressure or “low peak” pressure takes place within this arterial system just before the next ventricular contraction.
An increase in blood pressure can occur if the arterial walls lose some of their elasticity with age or disease.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Blood pressure overall measures the elasticity of the arteries near the heart as they stretch to accommodate expelled blood.
B. Blood pressure within the arterial system takes into account that pressure is different at varying locations.
C. Blood pressure is simply the force that the blood exerts in all directions within any given area, measured as a ratio.
D. Blood pressure represents the pulse difference between ventricular contractions.
2. Which statement is not a detail from the passage?
A. The ventricular contraction asserts capillary pressure that is about 70 mm Hg.
B. The pressures at different places in the circulatory system are different.
C. Increase in blood pressure can occur if arterial walls lose some of their elasticity.
D. Blood pressure is expressed as a ratio of systolic over diastolic pressure.
3. What is the meaning of the word elasticity in the last paragraph?
A. Something that is able to resist and be flexible
B. Something that is like plastic
C. Something that is dynamic and electrifying
D. Something that is silly
4. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this essay?
A. To entertain the reader with information about the blood system
B. To analyze how blood pressure can affect an individual’s health
C. To inform the reader how blood pressure is measured
D. To persuade the reader of the importance of accurate blood pressure procedures
5. Which of the following is not a fact stated in the passage?
A. Ventricular contracting injects roughly 70 mL of blood into a vascular system.
B. Blood pressure is typically taken in the brachial artery of the arm.
C. Blood pressure is commonly expressed as a ratio of the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure.
D. Loss of arterial wall elasticity is always caused by disease.
6. Which is the best summary of this passage?
A. The heart pumps roughly 70 mL of blood by rapidly contracting and extending the chamber doors of the heart. Disease and age affect the pressure of blood on arterial walls.
B. The brachial artery of the arm is usually used to take blood pressure, although the pressure is different in different parts of the body.
C. The measurement of the ratio of systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure is known as blood pressure.
D. The force that blood exerts on arterial walls is known as blood pressure and is measured as a ratio of the systolic pressure or “high peak” over the diastolic pressure or “low peak.”
Blood Pressure Regulators
The body is composed of systems that have evolved and diversified in order to maintain the natural functions and processes they regulate. One such system that has these regulators is the body’s cardiovascular system. The body’s pump, which regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body, as well as the discard of carbon dioxide and other waste products, is the heart.
Because blood pressure varies at different points within the body, differing components are needed to keep the body’s blood pressure regulated. Three of the basic components are baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys.
Baroreceptors are stretch receptors composed of fine branching nerve endings and are contained along the walls of the arteries near the heart and in other areas of the body as well. Impulses are related to this stretching along the arterial walls, which causes these baroreceptors to send out even more impulses to the heart, arteries, and veins, causing the blood pressure to go either up or down.
Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in oxygen level, carbon dioxide, and pH. Just think! A fall in oxygen causes receptors to send impulses to raise the blood pressure.
The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water and removing wastes. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex cause the kidney to keep or let go of any salt and water. This has an influence on blood volume and consequently on blood pressure.
7. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring baroreceptors.
B. Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring chemoreceptors.
C. Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring the kidneys.
D. Blood pressure can be regulated through baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys.
8. Which statement is not a detail from the passage?
A. Baroreceptors are rigid and static nerve endings that are contained along the arterial walls and send out messages along the nerve pathway.
B. Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in oxygen level.
C. The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water.
D. The heart is the body’s pump, which regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to cells of the body.
9. What is the meaning of the word evolved in the first paragraph?
A. To spread
B. To gradually develop
C. To revolve
D. To shift
10. What is the writer’s primary purpose in writing this essay?
A. To inform the reader about the dangers of high blood pressure
B. To inform the reader how high blood pressure leads to a higher risk of heart attack
C. To inform the reader how the cardiovascular system regulates blood pressure
D. To persuade the reader that controlling one’s blood pressure is important
11. What is the best summary of this passage?
A. The body’s pump, the heart, regulates the flow of oxygen to all cells of the body and discards waste products that include carbon dioxide. The kidneys help in this process by absorbing salts and water.
B. There are several systems to maintain the natural functions and processes of the body. One system is the cardiovascular system, which regulates blood pressure through baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys.
C. Baroreceptors help regulate blood pressure and are found along the wall of the arteries. Baroreceptors send out impulses to the heart, arteries, and veins, resulting in the lowering or raising of blood pressure.
D. Chemoreceptors monitor changes in oxygen level that affect blood pressure.
12. What is a major difference in the way baroreceptors and chemoreceptors work from the way the kidneys work?
A. Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors both work within the wall of the arteries sending out impulses to raise or lower blood pressure, whereas the kidneys help control blood volume.
B. Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors both work to help maintain blood volume, whereas the kidneys take care of salts, water, and waste removal.
C. Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors must work together to control blood pressure, whereas the kidneys work with the adrenal cortex.
D. Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors are both located near the adrenal cortex, whereas the kidneys are located near the heart.
Doppler Effect
Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulance’s screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulance comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight?
What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance, the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast-approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch.
13. Which statement is not listed as a detail in the passage?
A. The oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch because of high frequency and closeness of waves.
B. The oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch because of low frequency and closeness of waves.
C. The whistling sound of the locomotive as it approaches and passes can be explained by the Doppler effect.
D. The high-pitched sound of the ambulance as it approaches and passes can be explained by the Doppler effect.
14. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Trains and ambulances make distinctly loud noises.
B. Low-frequency waves make high-pitched sounds.
C. High-frequency waves make low-pitched sounds.
D. The Doppler effect explains the rationale for why sound is heard initially more strongly and then faintly after a moving object has passed.
15. What is the meaning of the word phenomenon in the second paragraph?
A. Something that is lifeless to the senses
B. Something that is nonchalant
C. Something that is significant but unusual
D. Something that is chemical in origin
16. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this essay?
A. To entertain the reader with information about trains and ambulances
B. To inform the reader about avoiding accidents, which involve trains and ambulances
C. To inform the reader about how movement affects sound
D. To analyze the difference between train and ambulance sounds
17. Which sound waves have a higher pitch?
A. Those waves that are closer together
B. Those waves that are farther apart
C. Those waves that travel a long distance
D. Those waves that travel a short distance
18. Which sound waves have a lower pitch?
A. Those waves that are closer together
B. Those waves that are farther apart
C. Those waves that travel a long distance
D. Those waves that travel a short distance
Electrocardiogram
Beep!…Beep!…Beep! is the audible rhythmic sound made as the strength of the heart muscle is measured. The signal cadence has a characteristic record that varies in every individual. This record is called an electrocardiogram, or ECG.
In the body, an array of systemic neural responses constantly occur, emitting electric currents. The electric currents can be detected on the surface of the body, and if a person is hooked to an amplifier, these impulses are recorded by an electrocardiograph.
Most of the information obtained is about the heart because the heart sends out electric currents in waves. This “wave of excitation” spreads through the heart wall and is accompanied by electric changes. The wave takes place in three distinct steps.
Initially, the “wave of excitation” accompanied by an electric change lasts for approximately 1 to 2 seconds after the contraction of the cardiac muscle. The electric impulses are discharged rhythmically from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the pacemaker of the heart. This spread of excitation over the muscle of the atrium indicates that the atrium has contracted.
Next, the peak of the ECG reading is due to the atrioventricular (AV) node, causing the ventricle to become excited.
Finally, the ventricles relax, and any changes in the wave indicate to trained medical staff any abnormalities within the heart.
19. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing the essay?
A. To persuade the reader to have an ECG
B. To entertain the reader with a heart-warming story
C. To inform the reader how an electrocardiograph reads the electric currents emitted by the heart
D. To analyze the difference in the SA node and the AV node
20. Which statement is not listed as a detail within the passage?
A. Changes in the ECG are typically used for diagnosis of abnormal cardiac rhythm.
B. The signal has a characteristic record called the electrocardiogram.
C. The “wave of excitation” starts at the SA node.
D. The “wave of excitation” spreads through the heart wall and is accompanied by electric changes.
21. What is the meaning of the word emitting as it is used in the second paragraph?
A. Repelling
B. Releasing
C. Closing
D. Charging
22. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Electric currents within the body are due to electrostatic charges set off by the heart.
B. The ECG systematically and quickly measures the stages at which the “wave of excitation” occurs within the heart and records them.
C. The “wave of excitation” is detected on the surface of the body and is used to measure the atrial excitation of the heart.
D. The electric currents within the body are in direct relation to the “wave of excitation” measured by the ECG.
23. What is the best summary of the passage?
A. Electric currents within the body are due to electrostatic charges set off by the heart. Medical staff are trained to recognize any abnormalities within the heart.
B. Every individual has unique electric currents on the surface of the body. The ECG measures and records these electric currents.
C. The ECG systematically and rather quickly measures the stages at which the “wave of excitation” occurs within the heart and records them. This wave has three distinct steps that spread from the SA node to the AV node.
D. The ECG measures the electric currents within the body. These currents are detected on the surface of the body when the body is connected to an amplifier.
24. What are the three steps of the “wave of excitation”?
A. The discharge from the SA node, the peak ECG, and the excitement of the ventricle.
B. The excitement of the ventricle, the relaxing of the ventricle, and the systemic neural response.
C. The contraction of the atrium, the relaxation of the atrium, and the contraction of the ventricle.
D. The excitation of the atrium, the excitement of the ventricle, and the relaxing of the ventricle.
The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.
25. What is the meaning of the word composed in the first paragraph?
A. To consist of
B. To be uniquely discovered
C. To be set apart
D. To be surprised
26. What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Water is formed from the joining of two hydrogen atoms to one atom of oxygen.
B. Water is a versatile and important universal solvent.
C. The different components of the water cycle are precipitation, evaporation, and condensation.
D. Rain is a trivial part of the life cycle.
27. Which statement is not a detail from the passage?
A. A single drop of water is made of a couple of hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms.
B. Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor.
C. Water that is not absorbed is called runoff.
D. Condensation fails to happen when water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid.
28. What was the author’s primary purpose for writing this essay?
A. To persuade the reader to conserve water
B. To persuade the reader that runoff is not the best way to collect water
C. To analyze different types of runoff
D. To inform the reader about the stages of the water cycle
29. What can the reader conclude from this passage about ponds and lakes?
A. They are examples of groundwater reservoirs.
B. They are not important in the collection of runoff.
C. They do not play a role in water collection.
D. They consist of only water collected through precipitation.
30. Knowing that the cooling of water vapor results in condensation, one could conclude that is/are a factor in the evaporation process.
A. Humidity
B. Heat
C. Electrons
D. Runoff [Show Less]