- Identify the sentence that contains a comma splice.
Answer: The wound was cleaned thoroughly, then a sterile dressing was applied.
When you encounter grammar questions on the HESI exam, comma splices are a common error pattern to recognize. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences that could stand alone) are incorrectly joined by only a comma.
Option A contains a comma splice: "The wound was cleaned thoroughly, then a sterile dressing was applied." Both parts before and after the comma are complete sentences. "The wound was cleaned thoroughly" is independent, and "then a sterile dressing was applied" is also independent. You cannot join two independent clauses with just a comma—this creates the comma splice error.
Option B is correct because "After cleaning the wound" is a dependent clause (it cannot stand alone), followed by the independent clause "the nurse applied a sterile dressing." No comma splice exists here.
Option C uses a compound predicate structure: "The nurse cleaned the wound and applied a sterile dressing." This is one sentence with two actions performed by the same subject, properly connected with "and."
Option D contains a relative clause: "The wound, which had been cleaned, was covered with a dressing." The phrase "which had been cleaned" is a dependent clause providing additional information about the wound, correctly set off by commas.
To fix comma splices, you can use a semicolon, add a coordinating conjunction after the comma (and, but, or, etc.), or separate the clauses into two sentences. Remember: if you can put a period where the comma is and create two complete sentences, you've found a comma splice.
- Which of these is a complete and correctly punctuated sentence?
Answer: Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
Grammar and sentence structure questions on the HESI test your ability to identify complete, properly punctuated sentences - a crucial skill for clear medical communication.
A complete sentence must have a subject and predicate, express a complete thought, and use correct punctuation. Option C accomplishes all three: "Anaphylaxis" is the subject, "is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening" is the predicate, and the sentence expresses one complete thought with proper punctuation.
Let's examine why the other options fail. Option A contains a comma splice - two independent clauses ("Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction" and "it can be life-threatening") incorrectly joined by only a comma. This creates a run-on sentence that should either be separated by a period or connected with a coordinating conjunction like "and." Option B is a sentence fragment because it lacks a main verb - "Anaphylaxis" is followed by an appositive phrase but never completes the thought with a predicate. Option D creates a run-on sentence by joining two independent clauses with no punctuation at all.
When tackling sentence structure questions, first identify the subject and main verb, then check whether the sentence expresses a complete thought. Watch especially for comma splices and fragments - these are the most common traps on nursing exams. Remember that clear, complete sentences are essential in healthcare settings where miscommunication can have serious consequences.
- Identify the sentence that contains a comma splice.
Answer: The new treatment protocol was implemented, it proved to be highly effective in clinical trials.
When you encounter grammar questions about sentence structure, focus on identifying how independent clauses (complete thoughts) are connected. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by only a comma, without a coordinating conjunction or proper punctuation.
Let's examine each option. Choice C demonstrates a comma splice: "The new treatment protocol was implemented, it proved to be highly effective in clinical trials." Both parts are complete sentences that could stand alone - "The new treatment protocol was implemented" and "It proved to be highly effective in clinical trials." They're incorrectly joined by just a comma, creating the error.
Choice A correctly connects two independent clauses with a comma plus the coordinating conjunction "and." Choice B uses a dependent clause ("Because the patient complained of dizziness") followed by an independent clause, which is grammatically correct - the subordinating word "because" makes the first part dependent. Choice D contains a single independent clause with a series of items separated by commas in a list, which follows proper comma usage rules.
To fix the comma splice in C, you could: add a coordinating conjunction ("implemented, and it proved"), use a semicolon ("implemented; it proved"), or create two separate sentences ("implemented. It proved").
Study tip: Remember FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) as coordinating conjunctions. If you see two complete thoughts joined by only a comma without one of these words, you've likely found a comma splice - a common error tested on grammar sections.
- What type of sentence error is present in the following? 'The patient's family was anxious about the surgery they waited in the designated area.'
Answer: Fused sentence
This question tests your ability to identify sentence structure errors, which is crucial for clear medical documentation and professional communication in healthcare settings.
The sentence "The patient's family was anxious about the surgery they waited in the designated area" contains two complete independent clauses joined without any punctuation or connecting words. A fused sentence (also called a run-on sentence) occurs when two or more independent clauses are incorrectly joined together without proper punctuation or conjunctions. Here, "The patient's family was anxious about the surgery" is one complete thought, and "they waited in the designated area" is another complete thought running directly into each other.
Looking at the incorrect options: A sentence fragment (A) would be an incomplete sentence missing a subject, verb, or complete thought, but both parts of this sentence are complete. A comma splice (B) would have the same error but with a comma incorrectly placed between the clauses - this sentence has no punctuation at all. A dangling modifier (D) occurs when a descriptive phrase doesn't clearly relate to what it's modifying, which isn't the case here.
The sentence could be corrected by adding a period ("...surgery. They waited..."), a semicolon ("...surgery; they waited..."), or a conjunction ("...surgery, and they waited...").
On the HESI, watch for sentences that feel like they're racing together without proper breaks. If you can identify two complete thoughts smooshed together without punctuation, you've likely found a fused sentence.
- Which of the following sentences has a boundary error?
Answer: The patient was prescribed a diuretic, therefore, his urine output was monitored closely.
When you encounter punctuation questions on the HESI, focus on how independent clauses are connected. A boundary error occurs when two complete sentences are improperly joined, creating confusion about where one thought ends and another begins.
Option B contains a boundary error because it uses a comma to separate two independent clauses with the transitional word "therefore." The sentence "The patient was prescribed a diuretic" is complete, and "therefore, his urine output was monitored closely" is also complete. When connecting independent clauses with transitional words like "therefore," "however," or "consequently," you need either a semicolon before the transition or a period to separate the clauses entirely.
Option A correctly uses a semicolon before "therefore," properly linking the two independent clauses. This creates a clear boundary while showing the logical relationship between the ideas.
Option C correctly uses a dependent clause structure with "Because," making the first part incomplete without the second clause. Since there's only one independent clause, no boundary issues exist.
Option D simply reverses the order while maintaining proper sentence structure with one independent clause and one dependent clause connected by "because."
The key strategy for HESI punctuation questions is identifying independent versus dependent clauses. Independent clauses can stand alone as sentences, while dependent clauses cannot. When you see transitional words connecting two complete thoughts, check whether they're properly separated with semicolons or periods rather than just commas.
- Which revision would best correct the boundary error in the following sentence: 'The patient complained of chest pain, therefore the emergency team was called immediately'?
Answer: The patient complained of chest pain; therefore, the emergency team was called immediately.
The original sentence contains a comma splice—two independent clauses joined only by a comma before the conjunctive adverb 'therefore.' Choice B correctly uses a semicolon before 'therefore' and adds a comma after it, which is the proper punctuation for conjunctive adverbs. Choice A incorrectly uses a coordinating conjunction with a conjunctive adverb. Choice C creates redundancy with 'so therefore.' Choice D incorrectly combines a subordinating conjunction with a conjunctive adverb.
- How should the following sentence be corrected? 'Auscultating lung sounds is a key assessment skill the nurse performed it on all patients.'
Answer: Auscultating lung sounds is a key assessment skill that the nurse performed on all patients.
When you encounter sentence correction questions on the HESI, you're being tested on your ability to identify and fix run-on sentences, which are common errors in professional healthcare writing.
The original sentence contains a run-on error: two independent clauses ("Auscultating lung sounds is a key assessment skill" and "the nurse performed it on all patients") are incorrectly joined without proper punctuation or connecting words. This creates confusion about the relationship between the ideas.
Option B correctly fixes this by using "that" as a relative pronoun to connect the clauses. The word "that" transforms the second clause into a dependent clause that modifies "assessment skill," creating one smooth, grammatically correct sentence that clearly shows the nurse performed the skill on patients.
Option A fails because it uses only a comma to join two independent clauses, creating a comma splice—still a run-on sentence. Option C introduces unnecessary confusion with "and," creating an awkward construction that doesn't clearly connect the ideas. The phrase "a key assessment skill, and the nurse performed it" is grammatically incorrect. Option D incorrectly uses a semicolon followed by "and." Semicolons should join independent clauses on their own, without coordinating conjunctions.
For HESI grammar questions, remember that clear, concise sentences are always preferred in healthcare communication. When you see two complete thoughts jammed together, look for answer choices that use relative pronouns (that, which, who) or proper punctuation to create logical relationships between ideas.
- Which of the following is a sentence fragment?
Answer: The patient, who was at high risk for pressure ulcers.
When you encounter questions about sentence structure, you need to identify whether each option expresses a complete thought with both a subject and a predicate (verb).
Option B is correct because "The patient, who was at high risk for pressure ulcers" is a sentence fragment. This construction begins with a subject ("The patient") followed by a dependent clause ("who was at high risk for pressure ulcers"), but it never provides a main verb to complete the thought. The sentence leaves you hanging, wondering what happened to this patient or what action was taken.
Let's examine why the other options are complete sentences: Option A ("Turn the patient every two hours to prevent pressure ulcers") is a complete imperative sentence with an understood subject "you" and the verb "turn." Option C ("Turning the patient regularly is a key nursing intervention") has a clear subject ("Turning the patient regularly") and predicate ("is a key nursing intervention"). Option D ("The nurse turned the patient according to the care plan") contains a subject ("The nurse") and a complete predicate ("turned the patient according to the care plan").
To identify sentence fragments on the HESI, look for incomplete thoughts that lack either a subject or a main verb, or that consist entirely of dependent clauses. Fragments often begin with subordinating words like "who," "which," "because," or "when" without a main clause to complete the idea. Practice reading each option aloud—fragments will sound unfinished and leave you expecting more information.
- Which group of words forms a complete sentence?
Answer: The patient with chest pain was triaged immediately.
Grammar questions on the HESI often test your ability to identify complete sentences versus sentence fragments. A complete sentence must have both a subject (who or what) and a predicate (what the subject does), and it must express a complete thought that can stand alone.
Option C is correct because it contains all the essential elements of a complete sentence. "The patient with chest pain" serves as the complete subject, "was triaged" is the verb (predicate), and "immediately" provides additional detail. This sentence expresses a complete thought that makes sense on its own.
Option A presents a sentence fragment because it lacks a predicate. While "the patient in the emergency room with chest pain" is a detailed subject, there's no verb to tell us what happened to this patient. Option B is also a fragment—it has a predicate "was triaged immediately by the charge nurse" but no subject to tell us who or what was triaged. Option D creates a dependent clause fragment because it starts with "because," which makes the entire phrase incomplete. Even though it has a subject ("the patient") and verb ("presented"), the word "because" makes it dependent on another clause to complete the meaning.
When identifying complete sentences on the HESI, look for both a subject and predicate, then check whether the sentence expresses a complete thought. Watch out for fragments that begin with subordinating conjunctions like "because," "when," or "although"—these create dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as complete sentences.
- Identify the sentence that is grammatically correct and free of boundary errors.
Answer: When the IV pump began to beep, the nurse checked the line for occlusions.
When you encounter grammar questions on the HESI exam, focus on identifying complete sentences and proper sentence boundaries. These questions test your ability to recognize correct punctuation and sentence structure in healthcare communication.
Option D is correct because it uses a dependent clause ("When the IV pump began to beep") properly connected to an independent clause ("the nurse checked the line for occlusions") with appropriate comma placement. This creates a complete, grammatically sound sentence that clearly shows the cause-and-effect relationship between events.
Option A demonstrates a comma splice error—two independent clauses incorrectly joined by only a comma. The phrases "The IV pump began to beep" and "the nurse checked the line for occlusions" are both complete thoughts that need stronger punctuation (semicolon or period) or a coordinating conjunction to connect them properly.
Option B is a sentence fragment containing only a dependent phrase with no main clause. "Checking the IV line for occlusions after the pump began to beep" leaves the reader waiting for the complete thought—who was checking and what happened?
Option C creates a run-on sentence by fusing two independent clauses together without any punctuation. This boundary error makes the sentence difficult to read and understand, as there's no clear separation between the two complete thoughts.
Remember: Complete sentences need a subject and predicate, and when combining multiple clauses, pay careful attention to punctuation. On the HESI, clear communication is essential in healthcare settings, so grammar questions often feature medical scenarios to test your professional writing skills.
- Which of the following is a fused (run-on) sentence?
Answer: The physical therapist developed a new exercise regimen the patient's mobility increased.
When you encounter grammar questions on the HESI, you need to identify sentence structure errors, particularly run-on sentences. A fused sentence (run-on) occurs when two independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or connecting words.
Option A demonstrates a classic fused sentence: "The physical therapist developed a new exercise regimen the patient's mobility increased." This contains two complete thoughts that could stand alone as sentences, but they're incorrectly joined without any punctuation or conjunction. You can identify this by reading each part separately: "The physical therapist developed a new exercise regimen" (complete thought) and "the patient's mobility increased" (complete thought). Since they're simply placed together without connection, this creates a run-on sentence.
Option B correctly uses a subordinating conjunction "After" and proper comma placement to connect the clauses. Option C properly joins two independent clauses with a semicolon and transitional phrase "therefore," following correct punctuation rules. Option D uses the subordinating conjunction "because" to create a complex sentence with one independent and one dependent clause.
The key difference is that options B, C, and D all use proper grammatical devices (subordinating conjunctions, semicolons, or transitional phrases) to connect their ideas, while option A simply smashes two complete sentences together without any connecting element.
For HESI grammar questions, always read each clause separately to determine if it could stand alone as a sentence. If you find two independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions, you've found your run-on sentence.
- Which of the following sentences contains a boundary error that would be most appropriately corrected by adding a semicolon or period?
Answer: The patient's vital signs were stable, however, the physician ordered additional monitoring throughout the night.
Choice A contains a comma splice error. Two independent clauses ('The patient's vital signs were stable' and 'the physician ordered additional monitoring throughout the night') are incorrectly joined by only a comma before the conjunctive adverb 'however.' This should be corrected with a semicolon or period. Choice B is correct as written with a dependent clause followed by an independent clause. Choice C properly uses a comma to separate an independent clause from a participial phrase. Choice D correctly uses a comma after a dependent clause.
- Which sentence contains a boundary error that could be corrected by either separating into two sentences or adding appropriate punctuation?
Answer: The patient tolerated the procedure well, vital signs remained stable throughout the intervention.
Choice A contains a comma splice—two independent clauses ('The patient tolerated the procedure well' and 'vital signs remained stable throughout the intervention') incorrectly joined with only a comma. This could be corrected by using a semicolon, period, or adding a coordinating conjunction. Choice B correctly uses a comma after a dependent clause. Choice C properly lists items in a series. Choice D correctly uses a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase.
- Which of the following contains a run-on sentence (either fused or comma splice)?
Answer: The symptoms were consistent with pneumonia, the chest X-ray, however, was clear.
When you encounter grammar questions about run-on sentences, you're being tested on your ability to identify improperly connected independent clauses. A run-on sentence occurs when two complete thoughts are either fused together without punctuation (fused sentence) or incorrectly joined with only a comma (comma splice).
Option C contains a comma splice: "The symptoms were consistent with pneumonia, the chest X-ray, however, was clear." This connects two independent clauses ("The symptoms were consistent with pneumonia" and "the chest X-ray was clear") with only a comma. The word "however" doesn't change the fact that you need stronger punctuation between these complete thoughts.
Option A correctly uses a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb "however," which is the proper way to connect two independent clauses with this type of transition word. Option B uses a dependent clause ("Although the symptoms were consistent with pneumonia") connected to an independent clause, which is grammatically correct since only one independent clause exists. Option D properly connects two independent clauses using a comma plus the coordinating conjunction "but," following the standard rule for compound sentences.
The key trap here is recognizing that transitional words like "however," "therefore," and "nevertheless" cannot join independent clauses with just a comma—they need a semicolon before them or should be part of a new sentence. Remember: when you see two complete thoughts in one sentence, check that they're joined with either a semicolon, a comma plus coordinating conjunction, or separated into distinct sentences.
- Which of the following represents a complete sentence that could stand alone in professional healthcare documentation?
Answer: The physical therapy evaluation revealed significant improvements in the patient's range of motion and strength.
Choice D is the only complete sentence with a subject ('The physical therapy evaluation'), a verb ('revealed'), and a complete thought. Choice A is a fragment beginning with the subordinating conjunction 'because' and lacks an independent clause. Choice B is a fragment with a subject ('session') but no main verb—'included' is part of a relative clause. Choice C is a fragment beginning with 'After' and containing only a dependent clause without a main clause.
- Identify the option that correctly addresses the boundary error in this sentence: 'The patient was scheduled for surgery at 7:00 AM, however, complications during the previous procedure delayed the start time.'
Answer: The patient was scheduled for surgery at 7:00 AM; however, complications during the previous procedure delayed the start time.
The original sentence contains a comma splice with the conjunctive adverb 'however.' Choice A correctly replaces the comma with a semicolon before 'however,' which is the proper way to join independent clauses with conjunctive adverbs. Choice B incorrectly combines a coordinating conjunction 'but' with the conjunctive adverb 'however.' Choice C removes all punctuation, creating a run-on sentence. Choice D incorrectly uses 'and' with 'however,' creating redundancy and improper structure.
- Which of the following contains a sentence fragment that requires additional information to form a complete thought?
Answer: While the patient was waiting in the examination room for over thirty minutes without explanation.
Choice B is a sentence fragment consisting only of a dependent clause beginning with 'while.' It lacks an independent clause to complete the thought and explain what happened while the patient was waiting. Choice A is a complete sentence with a subject, verb, and complete predicate including purpose phrases. Choice C is a complete sentence with a clear subject and predicate. Choice D is a complete sentence with two independent clauses properly connected.
- Which sentence demonstrates the most serious boundary error requiring immediate correction for professional healthcare documentation?
Answer: Medication reconciliation was completed the patient's home medications were compared with hospital prescriptions no discrepancies were found.
Choice B contains multiple run-on errors with three independent clauses run together without proper punctuation or conjunctions, making it confusing and unprofessional. This represents the most serious boundary error. Choice A has a comma splice but is still somewhat readable. Choice C is grammatically correct with a dependent clause followed by an independent clause. Choice D properly connects two independent clauses with a comma and coordinating conjunction.
- Read the following sentence: 'The patient needed to remain NPO after midnight, however, he accidentally drank some water.' What type of error does this sentence demonstrate?
Answer: Comma splice
When you encounter grammar questions on the HESI exam, look for structural problems in how sentences are connected. This question tests your ability to identify common sentence construction errors.
The sentence "The patient needed to remain NPO after midnight, however, he accidentally drank some water" demonstrates a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (complete thoughts that could stand alone as sentences) are incorrectly joined with only a comma. Here, "The patient needed to remain NPO after midnight" is one complete thought, and "he accidentally drank some water" is another complete thought. The word "however" is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction, so it cannot join independent clauses with just a comma.
Let's examine why the other options are incorrect. Option A, a fused sentence (also called a run-on), would occur if the two independent clauses were joined with no punctuation at all. Option B, a sentence fragment, would be an incomplete thought missing a subject, verb, or complete idea—but both parts of this sentence are complete. Option D, incorrect verb tense, doesn't apply here since "needed" and "drank" are appropriately in past tense.
To fix this comma splice, you could use a semicolon ("midnight; however, he"), a period to create two sentences, or add a coordinating conjunction after the comma ("midnight, but he").
Remember: conjunctive adverbs like "however," "therefore," and "moreover" need stronger punctuation (semicolons) when joining independent clauses, not just commas.
- Which of the following correctly revises this sentence fragment? 'To properly document the patient's fluid intake and output.'
Answer: The nurse's goal was to properly document the patient's fluid intake and output.
When you encounter sentence fragments on the HESI exam, you need to identify what's missing to make a complete sentence. A sentence fragment lacks either a subject, a main verb, or a complete thought.
The original fragment "To properly document the patient's fluid intake and output" is an infinitive phrase that begins a thought but never completes it. It tells us an action but doesn't tell us who is performing it or why.
Option B correctly transforms this fragment into a complete sentence by providing both a subject ("The nurse's goal") and a main verb ("was"), making "to properly document..." function as a predicate nominative that completes the thought. This creates a grammatically sound sentence with a clear subject-verb relationship.
Option A simply changes the infinitive to a gerund phrase ("Properly documenting...") but still lacks a main verb and subject, remaining a fragment. Option C adds a transitional phrase ("For example") but doesn't solve the fundamental problem—there's still no main clause with a subject and verb. Option D completely restructures the sentence and, while grammatically correct, doesn't actually revise the original fragment; instead, it creates an entirely new sentence about the importance of documentation.
Remember that fixing sentence fragments requires adding the missing grammatical elements—usually a subject, main verb, or both. Look for answer choices that preserve the original meaning while completing the grammatical structure, rather than those that simply rearrange words or change the sentence's focus entirely.
