Free TEAS Reading Questions Practice Test (2026 Update)

Passage: Interprofessional collaboration in healthcare involves different healthcare professionals working together to provide comprehensive patient care. This approach brings together the expertise of various disciplines such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and therapists. Effective collaboration improves patient outcomes, reduces healthcare costs, and enhances job satisfaction among healthcare workers.

What is interprofessional collaboration according to the passage?

Bar Graph: Types of Hospital-Acquired Infections Urinary Tract Infections: 35% Surgical Site Infections: 20% Pneumonia: 15% Bloodstream Infections: 10% Other: 20%

According to the graph, what percentage of hospital-acquired infections are urinary tract infections?

Passage: The aging population presents unique challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Older adults often have multiple chronic conditions, require more complex care coordination, and may experience age-related changes that affect their ability to navigate healthcare systems. Healthcare providers must adapt their approaches to meet the specific needs of geriatric patients.

What challenge related to the aging population is mentioned in the passage?

Argument: "Hospitals should implement mandatory rest periods for nurses during 12-hour shifts. Research shows that fatigue increases the risk of medical errors and compromises patient safety. Well-rested nurses provide better patient care and make fewer mistakes."

What is the main claim being made in this argument?

Passage: Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. They commonly develop over bony areas such as the tailbone, heels, and hips in patients who are bedridden or use wheelchairs. Prevention strategies include regular repositioning, keeping skin clean and dry, and using pressure-relieving devices.

Which prevention strategy for pressure ulcers is mentioned in the passage?

Passage: Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to specify their healthcare preferences in case they become unable to communicate their wishes. These documents typically include a living will, which outlines treatment preferences, and a healthcare power of attorney, which designates someone to make medical decisions on the patient's behalf.

Based on the passage, what is a healthcare power of attorney?

Passage: Healthcare team communication is essential for patient safety and quality care. Effective communication includes clear, timely, and accurate information sharing among all team members. Tools such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) help standardize communication and reduce misunderstandings.

What is the purpose of SBAR according to the passage?

Data Table: Medication Error Rates by Shift Day Shift (7 AM - 7 PM): 0.2 errors per 100 medications Night Shift (7 PM - 7 AM): 0.4 errors per 100 medications Weekend Day Shift: 0.3 errors per 100 medications Weekend Night Shift: 0.5 errors per 100 medications

Which shift has the lowest medication error rate?

Passage: Evidence-based practice in nursing combines the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences to make decisions about patient care. This approach ensures that nursing interventions are based on scientific evidence rather than tradition or personal opinion alone.

What three components make up evidence-based practice according to the passage?

Passage: Mental health is an integral part of overall health and well-being. Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are common and treatable. However, stigma surrounding mental health often prevents people from seeking help. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in recognizing mental health concerns and connecting patients with appropriate resources.

What barrier to mental health treatment is mentioned in the passage?

Chart: Patient Satisfaction Scores by Hospital Unit ICU: 87% Medical Floor: 82% Surgical Floor: 85% Emergency Department: 78% Outpatient Clinic: 91%

Based on the chart, which unit has the lowest patient satisfaction score?

Passage: Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites change in ways that make medications used to treat infections less effective or completely ineffective. This is a natural evolutionary process, but it has been accelerated by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial medications. Resistant infections can be more difficult to treat and may require stronger, more expensive medications with potentially more side effects.

According to the passage, what accelerates antimicrobial resistance?

Patient Education Material: "Take this medication with food to reduce stomach upset. Do not crush or chew the tablets. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it's almost time for your next dose. Never take a double dose."

What should a patient do if they miss a dose?

Two studies on exercise and heart health:

Study A: "Regular aerobic exercise significantly reduces the risk of heart disease in adults over 40."

Study B: "Moderate exercise shows some benefits for cardiovascular health, but results vary widely among individuals."

How do these studies compare in their conclusions about exercise and heart health?

Passage: Quality improvement in healthcare is an ongoing process that involves systematically identifying problems, implementing solutions, and measuring outcomes. Healthcare organizations use various tools and methodologies, such as Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, to continuously improve patient care and safety.

What is the main idea of this passage?

Passage: The body's circadian rhythm is an internal biological clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle over approximately 24 hours. This rhythm is influenced by external cues such as light and darkness. Disruptions to circadian rhythm, such as those experienced by shift workers or people with jet lag, can affect sleep quality, alertness, and overall health.

What influences the body's circadian rhythm according to the passage?

Passage: Cultural competence in healthcare involves understanding and respecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of patients. This includes being aware of different health beliefs, communication styles, and treatment preferences. Healthcare providers should avoid making assumptions based on a patient's appearance or background and should ask patients about their preferences and needs.

What does cultural competence require healthcare providers to do?

Graph: Hospital Readmission Rates by Department Cardiology: 12% Orthopedics: 8% General Medicine: 15% Surgery: 10% Emergency: 6%

Which department has the highest readmission rate?

Passage: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition in which kidney function gradually declines over time. Early stages of CKD often have no symptoms, making regular screening important for high-risk individuals. As the disease progresses, patients may experience fatigue, swelling, changes in urination, and other complications.

Based on this passage, why is screening important for CKD?

Passage: Infection control measures in healthcare settings include standard precautions that should be used with all patients, regardless of their suspected or confirmed infection status. These precautions include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment when appropriate, safe injection practices, and proper handling of contaminated equipment and surfaces.

What can be concluded about standard precautions?

Instructions: When administering oral medications: 1) Verify the patient's identity using two identifiers. 2) Check the medication order against the medication label. 3) Confirm the right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. 4) Explain the medication to the patient. 5) Remain with the patient until the medication is swallowed. 6) Document the administration in the patient's record.

What should be done immediately before explaining the medication to the patient?

Passage: The placebo effect occurs when patients experience improvement in their condition after receiving an inactive treatment that they believe is real medication. This psychological phenomenon demonstrates the powerful connection between mind and body in healing. Researchers must account for the placebo effect when designing clinical trials by including control groups that receive inactive treatments.

Which statement best summarizes the passage?

Chart: Patient Vital Signs Over 24 Hours Time: 6 AM - Temperature: 98.6°F, Blood Pressure: 120/80, Heart Rate: 72 Time: 12 PM - Temperature: 100.2°F, Blood Pressure: 135/85, Heart Rate: 88 Time: 6 PM - Temperature: 101.5°F, Blood Pressure: 140/90, Heart Rate: 95 Time: 12 AM - Temperature: 99.8°F, Blood Pressure: 125/82, Heart Rate: 80

What trend is shown in the patient's vital signs?

Passage: Nurse burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to stressful working conditions. Symptoms include cynicism, detachment from patients, and feelings of ineffectiveness. Burnout can lead to decreased quality of patient care, increased medical errors, and high staff turnover rates in healthcare facilities.

What is the author's primary purpose in this passage?

Passage: Telemedicine involves the use of technology to provide healthcare services remotely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine adoption increased dramatically as healthcare systems sought ways to continue providing care while minimizing infection risk. Patients can now consult with healthcare providers via video calls, receive monitoring through wearable devices, and access health information through mobile apps.

Based on the passage, what can be inferred about telemedicine before the COVID-19 pandemic?

Argument: "All healthcare workers should be required to receive annual flu vaccinations. This policy protects both healthcare workers and their patients from influenza. Studies show that vaccination programs in healthcare facilities significantly reduce flu transmission rates."

What evidence does the author provide to support their argument?

Passage: Medication adherence refers to how well patients follow their prescribed medication regimens. Poor adherence is a significant problem in healthcare, contributing to treatment failures, disease progression, and increased healthcare costs. Factors affecting adherence include medication side effects, complex dosing schedules, cost of medications, and patient understanding of the importance of the treatment.

Which factor affecting medication adherence is NOT mentioned in the passage?

Two Passages:

Passage A: "Electronic health records (EHRs) have revolutionized healthcare by improving efficiency, reducing errors, and enhancing communication between providers."

Passage B: "While EHRs offer some benefits, they have also created new challenges including increased documentation time, computer downtime issues, and potential privacy concerns."

How do these passages differ in their perspective on EHRs?

Passage: Pain assessment is a critical component of nursing care. Pain is subjective, meaning it can only be truly known by the person experiencing it. Healthcare providers use various pain scales, such as the numeric rating scale (0-10) or the Wong-Baker FACES scale, to help patients communicate their pain levels. It's important to believe patients when they report pain and to reassess pain regularly after interventions.

What is the main theme of this passage?

Passage: Regular exercise provides numerous health benefits including improved cardiovascular health, stronger bones, better mental health, and enhanced immune function. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week for adults. This can be achieved through activities such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.

Which of the following is mentioned as a benefit of regular exercise?

Passage: Mrs. Chen, a 78-year-old patient, was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. She has been receiving antibiotic treatment for three days. Her fever has decreased from 102°F to 99°F, and her oxygen saturation has improved from 88% to 94%. However, she still experiences some shortness of breath when walking.

Based on this information, what can be predicted about Mrs. Chen's condition?

Graph showing medication effectiveness over time: Hour 1: 25% effectiveness Hour 2: 50% effectiveness
Hour 3: 75% effectiveness Hour 4: 100% effectiveness Hour 5: 75% effectiveness Hour 6: 50% effectiveness

At what point does the medication reach peak effectiveness?

Passage: The nursing process consists of five steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. During assessment, nurses collect data about the patient's health status. In the diagnosis phase, nurses analyze the data to identify health problems. Planning involves setting goals and developing interventions. Implementation is carrying out the planned interventions. Finally, evaluation determines whether the goals were met and if the plan needs modification.

What is the correct sequence of events in the nursing process?

Passage: Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't use insulin properly or doesn't produce enough insulin. Both types require careful management including blood glucose monitoring, proper diet, and regular medical care.

What do Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have in common?

Passage: Proper hand hygiene is the single most important factor in preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings. Healthcare workers should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available. Hand hygiene should be performed before and after patient contact, after touching potentially contaminated surfaces, and after removing gloves.

Summarize the main points of this passage.

Passage: The term "tachycardia" comes from the Greek words "tachy" meaning fast and "cardia" meaning heart. In medical terminology, many words are formed by combining Greek and Latin roots with prefixes and suffixes.

Based on context clues, what does "bradycardia" most likely mean?

Statement 1: "The patient's temperature has been consistently elevated for three days." Statement 2: "I believe this patient looks very sick and uncomfortable."

Which statement represents a fact and which represents an opinion?

Passage: "The new medication showed remarkable results in our clinical trial," stated Dr. Johnson. "However, we must remember that individual responses to treatment can vary significantly. What works well for one patient may not be as effective for another."

From what point of view is Dr. Johnson speaking?

Passage: Physical therapy plays an essential role in rehabilitation after injury or surgery. Therapists use various techniques including exercises, manual therapy, and equipment to help patients regain strength, mobility, and function. The goal is to restore patients to their highest possible level of independence and quality of life. Treatment plans are individualized based on each patient's specific condition, needs, and goals.

What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?

Chart Data: Hospital Emergency Department Wait Times Monday: 45 minutes Tuesday: 38 minutes
Wednesday: 42 minutes Thursday: 51 minutes Friday: 67 minutes Saturday: 89 minutes Sunday: 72 minutes

Based on the chart, on which day should a patient expect the shortest wait time?

Passage: Sleep plays a crucial role in physical health and cognitive function. During sleep, the body repairs tissues, consolidates memories, and releases important hormones. Adults typically need 7-9 hours of sleep per night for optimal health. Sleep deprivation can lead to decreased concentration, weakened immune system, and increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

What can be inferred about people who consistently get less than 7 hours of sleep?

Passage: Antibiotics are medications that fight bacterial infections by either killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, antibiotics are not effective against viral infections such as the common cold or flu. The misuse of antibiotics, including taking them for viral infections or not completing the full prescribed course, can lead to antibiotic resistance. When bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, the medications become less effective or completely ineffective against future infections.

Based on the passage, which statement about antibiotics is correct?

Instructions: To properly collect a urine sample for testing, follow these steps: 1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. 2) Clean the genital area with the provided wipe. 3) Begin urinating into the toilet. 4) Without stopping the flow, move the collection cup into the urine stream. 5) Fill the cup halfway. 6) Finish urinating into the toilet. 7) Secure the lid tightly on the cup. 8) Label the cup with your name and date. 9) Return the sample to the nurse within 30 minutes.

What should you do immediately after cleaning the genital area?

Passage: The human digestive system begins its work before food even enters the mouth. When we smell appetizing food, our brain sends signals that trigger the production of saliva. This process, called the cephalic phase of digestion, prepares the mouth for food intake. Saliva contains enzymes that begin breaking down starches immediately upon contact with food. Additionally, the act of chewing mechanically breaks down food particles while mixing them thoroughly with saliva.

According to the passage, when does digestion actually begin?

Passage: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions. These infections can occur in any healthcare setting, including hospitals, surgical centers, and long-term care facilities. HAIs are a significant concern because they can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and higher mortality rates. Common types of HAIs include central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections.

What is the main idea of this passage?