HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Related

SLEEP:
When most people think about taking a nap, they typically envision being down for the count for at least an hour or two. A German stuWhen most people think about taking a nap, they typically envision being down for the count for at least an hour or two. A German study, however, has shown that if you really want to refresh your brain, a six-minute catnap will do it. Not only will you feel better afterward, but your ability to learn and remember will have improved as well.
As described in a recent article in the Journal of Sleep Research, students at the University of Dusseldorf participated in experiments in which they had to memorize a list of words and then either take a nap or play a video game. The ones who napped scored consistently higher than those who stayed awake. The study may help scientists learn more about what happens when people go to sleep. They already know that the brain undergoes a number of significant changes in the process. "There are dramatic shifts in brain chemistry and electrophysiology," said Dr. Matthew Tucker, researcher at Harvard University School of Medicine and the Center for Sleep and Cognition. "For example, we know that levels of the transmitter acetylcholine go down. And we think that when acetylcholine gets to a low point, it should have an enhancing effect on memory."
Experts believe that sleeping is the brain's chance to decide which details and memories from the day need to be placed in permanent storage and which ones need to be thrown out. It has to do this because there is only so much room in the brain for information. Of course, those catnaps may be wonderful, but they can never replace the value of a solid eight hours of sleep. As Dr. Olaf Lahl, the study's lead author, remarks, "A regular sleep schedule still plays an important role in overall well-being and health."dy, however, has shown that if you really want to refresh your brain, a six-minute catnap will do it. Not only will you feel better afterward, but your ability to learn and remember will have improved as well. As described in a recent article in the Journal of Sleep Research, students at the University of Dusseldorf participated in experiments in which they had to memorize a list of words and then either take a nap or play a video game. The ones who napped scored consistently higher than those who stayed awake. The study may help scientists learn more about what happens when people go to sleep. They already know that the brain undergoes a number of significant changes in the process. “There are dramatic shifts in brain chemistry and electrophysiology,†said Dr. Matthew Tucker, researcher at Harvard University School of Medicine and the Center for Sleep and Cognition. “For example, we know that levels of the transmitter acetylcholine go down. And we think that when acetylcholine gets to a low point, it should have an enhancing effect on memory.†Experts believe that sleeping is the brain's chance to decide which details and memories from the day need to be placed in permanent storage and which ones need to be thrown out. It has to do this because there is only so much room in the brain for information. Of course, those catnaps may be wonderful, but they can never replace the value of a solid eight hours of sleep. As Dr. Olaf Lahl, the study's lead author, remarks, “A regular sleep schedule still plays an important role in overall well-being and health.â€

What is the meaning of the word 'shifts' as used in the third paragraph?

• A. Alterations
• B. Stints
• C. Removals
• D. Transfers

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER:
Almost anyone who lives in a place where the winter months are mostly dark and rainy or snowy knows what it is like to yearn longingly for "just a few rays." For some people, however, this feeling is much more than a simple longing; it is a physical and emotional need. These people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Although in the past the experience has been put down to nothing more than "winter blues," more and more physicians are recognizing the fact that for some, it is much more than a mood swing.
Those with SAD not only get depressed, they struggle with lethargy and chronic fatigue, often to the point of impairing their daily lives. Other symptoms include anxiety, social withdrawal, appetite changes, weight gain, and insomnia. Although more women than men are diagnosed with SAD, men seem to have the most severe symptoms. Those who live in the north and those with a family history of SAD are at highest overall risk.
Currently, SAD is considered a subtype of bipolar disorder and/or depression, and physicians rely on thorough psychological and physical examinations to determine if a patient actually has the condition. If left untreated, SAD can actually lead to complications such as substance abuse or even suicidal thoughts. Treatment focuses primarily on light therapy but may be supplemented with medications and psychotherapy.

The word lethargy as used in the second paragraph of the passage can best be defined as ___________.

• A. Sluggishness
• B. Irritability
• C. Energy
• D. Starvation

PHOTOTHERAPY:
Phototherapy, commonly referred to as light therapy, has been an established form of medicine for more than a century. In recent years it has become closely associated with seasonal affective disorder, of which it is an effective and well-known treatment, but it is also used to treat a broad range of medical issues including acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
The most common form of light therapy involves a patient sitting in front of a medically designed light box for a prescribed amount of time every morning. The light is positioned at an exact distance from the patient's eyes so that it strikes both the skin and the retina. The light box mimics the effects of natural sunlight, but the UV rays are filtered to ensure there is no damage to the patient's skin or eyes. Phototherapy is thought to be a safe method of reducing the amount of bacteria on the skin, reducing inflammatory responses, and affecting the chemicals in the brain associated with mood.
One of the most recent technologies to be associated with phototherapy is the phototherapy blanket. In the late 1960s it was discovered that phototherapy can be used to treat jaundice in newborn babies. Neonatal jaundice, a yellowing of the skin in newborn infants due to excess bilirubin levels in the blood, is usually harmless but can cause brain damage if left untreated. Newborns are given a phototherapy blanket, a small pad with flexible LED light panels sewn into the fabric, to sleep with until their livers are able to process the excess bilirubin.
The many benefits of phototherapy make it a valuable resource for addressing a variety of ailments. Emerging innovations in LED and photo technologies ensure that many more practical applications will be developed for this particular form of treatment in the years to come.

Which of the following statements is a fact?

• A. Nurses should watch for jaundice in newborns.
• B. Untreated jaundice may cause brain damage.
• C. Phototherapy blankets are a valuable invention.
• D. Avoid neonatal units that lack phototherapy.

PHOTOTHERAPY:
Phototherapy, commonly referred to as light therapy, has been an established form of medicine for more than a century. In recent years it has become closely associated with seasonal affective disorder, of which it is an effective and well-known treatment, but it is also used to treat a broad range of medical issues including acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
The most common form of light therapy involves a patient sitting in front of a medically designed light box for a prescribed amount of time every morning. The light is positioned at an exact distance from the patient's eyes so that it strikes both the skin and the retina. The light box mimics the effects of natural sunlight, but the UV rays are filtered to ensure there is no damage to the patient's skin or eyes. Phototherapy is thought to be a safe method of reducing the amount of bacteria on the skin, reducing inflammatory responses, and affecting the chemicals in the brain associated with mood.
One of the most recent technologies to be associated with phototherapy is the phototherapy blanket. In the late 1960s it was discovered that phototherapy can be used to treat jaundice in newborn babies. Neonatal jaundice, a yellowing of the skin in newborn infants due to excess bilirubin levels in the blood, is usually harmless but can cause brain damage if left untreated. Newborns are given a phototherapy blanket, a small pad with flexible LED light panels sewn into the fabric, to sleep with until their livers are able to process the excess bilirubin.
The many benefits of phototherapy make it a valuable resource for addressing a variety of ailments. Emerging innovations in LED and photo technologies ensure that many more practical applications will be developed for this particular form of treatment in the years to come.

Which statement would not be inferred by the reader?

• A. Some forms of phototherapy have been around for decades.
• B. New applications of phototherapy continue to be developed.
• C. Phototherapy is most often used to treat skin problems.
• D. Ultraviolet rays can cause damage to eyes and skin.

VEGETERIAN DIET:
By studying the role diet might have in the prevention of cancer, recent studies have also noted that a vegetarian, or meatless, diet can help improve a person's overall health. A true vegetarian diet consists of a variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and pulses—edible seeds from legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils. A modified vegetarian diet, known as lacto-ovo vegetarian, may include dairy products and eggs. A vegan diet excludes any food with animal origins, including butter, eggs, and honey.
When properly planned, a true vegetarian diet can provide a person with all essential nutrients, protein, and carbohydrates. In one study, researchers at Oxford University noted that overall, a vegetarian diet is lower in saturated fats and higher in fiber than other diets. The study noted that people who followed a vegetarian diet were generally found to have lower cholesterol and lower BMI (a measure of body fat based on a person's weight and height) and to be at a lower risk for certain types of heart disease. From the evidence presented, researchers suggested that the adoption of a vegetarian diet could prevent more than 30,000 deaths a year that are attributed to heart disease.
Other available information indicates that vegetarians live, on average, seven years longer than meat eaters do. Throughout the world, breast, colon, and prostate cancers are more common among people who have a high-fat, high-meat, low-fiber diet. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Coop has said that diet is a factor in 70 percent of all people who die from disease in the United States. On the whole, vegetarians are less likely to be afflicted with chronic diseases than those who make meat a centerpiece of their diet.

What is the meaning of the word "pulses" as it appears in the first paragraph?

• A. The regular throbbing of the arteries caused by successive contractions of the heart
• B. The general attitude of the public or a specific population toward health concerns
• C. The edible seeds produced by legumes such as peas, beans, or lentils
• D. Any type of food with animal origins such as butter, honey, or eggs