TEAS Reading Practice Test 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nursing textbook states: 'Hypertension affects approximately 47% of adults in the United States, making it one of the most prevalent chronic conditions. Left untreated, it significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease.' Based on this passage, what is the author's primary purpose?
- To persuade readers to take blood pressure medication
- To inform readers about the prevalence and dangers of hypertension (Correct answer)
- To compare hypertension rates across different countries
- To describe the symptoms of hypertension
Correct answer: To inform readers about the prevalence and dangers of hypertension
The passage provides factual information about how common hypertension is and what can happen if left untreated, making its primary purpose informational.
The author's primary purpose is to inform. The passage presents statistical data (47% of adults) and factual consequences (stroke, heart attack, kidney disease) without advocating for specific treatments or comparing data internationally. While the information could motivate action, the tone and structure are informational rather than persuasive.
Question 2: Read the following passage: 'The patient presented with a temperature of 101.3°F, productive cough with yellow-green sputum, and bilateral crackles on auscultation. Chest X-ray revealed infiltrates in the lower lobes.' This passage is an example of which type of writing?
- Narrative writing
- Expository writing
- Persuasive writing
- Technical/clinical writing (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Technical/clinical writing
The passage uses clinical terminology and objective observations typical of medical documentation, making it technical/clinical writing.
This is technical/clinical writing, specifically a medical progress note or assessment. The hallmarks include specialized medical terminology (auscultation, infiltrates, sputum), objective measurements (101.3°F), and a structured presentation of findings without personal opinion or narrative elements. This type of writing is standard in healthcare documentation.
Question 3: In a research article, the author writes: 'While previous studies suggested that vitamin D supplementation reduces fall risk in elderly patients, our meta-analysis of 42 randomized controlled trials found no statistically significant reduction (p = 0.23).' What can be inferred from this statement?
- Vitamin D supplementation is harmful to elderly patients
- Earlier research findings may not be supported by larger-scale analysis (Correct answer)
- The meta-analysis had too few studies to be reliable
- Vitamin D has no health benefits whatsoever
Correct answer: Earlier research findings may not be supported by larger-scale analysis
The passage contrasts earlier studies with a larger meta-analysis that did not confirm previous findings, suggesting earlier conclusions may not hold up under broader scrutiny.
The correct inference is that earlier research findings may not be supported when examined through larger-scale analysis. The author explicitly contrasts 'previous studies suggested' with 'our meta-analysis found no statistically significant reduction.' This does not mean vitamin D is harmful or has no benefits at all—it specifically addresses fall risk. The 42 trials represent a substantial sample, not too few.
Question 4: A health education pamphlet reads: 'Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. If soap is unavailable, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.' What organizational pattern does this passage follow?
- Cause and effect
- Compare and contrast
- Problem and solution (Correct answer)
- Sequence of events
Correct answer: Problem and solution
The passage presents a primary recommendation (handwashing) and then offers an alternative when the first option is unavailable, following a problem-and-solution pattern.
This passage follows a problem-and-solution organizational pattern. The implicit problem is preventing infectious disease spread. The primary solution is handwashing with soap for 20 seconds. A secondary solution (alcohol-based sanitizer) is offered for situations where the primary solution is not feasible. This is not cause and effect (which would explain why something happens) or sequence (which would list steps in order).
Question 5: Which of the following sentences contains a statement of opinion rather than fact?
- The human body contains 206 bones in adulthood.
- Normal adult body temperature is approximately 98.6°F (37°C).
- Nursing is the most rewarding career in healthcare. (Correct answer)
- The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body.
Correct answer: Nursing is the most rewarding career in healthcare.
'Most rewarding' is a subjective judgment that cannot be measured or verified, making it an opinion. The other options state verifiable medical facts.
The statement 'Nursing is the most rewarding career in healthcare' is an opinion because 'most rewarding' is a subjective assessment that varies from person to person and cannot be objectively measured or verified. The other three statements are verifiable facts: adults have 206 bones, normal body temperature is approximately 98.6°F, and the liver is the largest internal organ. Distinguishing fact from opinion is a key TEAS reading skill.
Question 6: A journal article contains the following: 'Participants who exercised 150 minutes per week showed a 32% reduction in cardiovascular events compared to sedentary controls (95% CI: 24-40%, n=12,847).' What does the information in parentheses help the reader understand?
- The exact number of cardiovascular events that occurred
- The level of confidence and sample size supporting the finding (Correct answer)
- The types of exercises that participants performed
- The duration of the study period
Correct answer: The level of confidence and sample size supporting the finding
The 95% confidence interval (CI) shows the precision of the estimate, and n=12,847 indicates the sample size, both helping readers assess the reliability of the finding.
The parenthetical information provides two key pieces of statistical context: the 95% confidence interval (CI: 24-40%) indicates that researchers are 95% confident the true reduction falls between 24% and 40%, showing the precision of the estimate. The sample size (n=12,847) indicates how many participants were studied. Together, these help readers evaluate the reliability and generalizability of the 32% reduction finding.
TEAS Reading Practice Test 2
A nursing textbook states: 'Hypertension affects approximately 47% of adults in the United States, making it one of the most prevalent chronic conditions.
Left untreated, it significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease.' Based on this passage, what is the author's primary purpose?