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.” [Show Less]