HESI, Hesi A2, Hesi A2 Vocabulary | 129
Questions & Verified Answers | 100%
Correct | Grade A (2026/2027)
This HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam is a standardized entrance test for nursing and health-
related programs. The HESI A2 Vocabulary & General Knowledge section evaluates a student's
command of basic English vocabulary and medical terminology relevant to clinical environments. While
the official exam typically contains 50 scored questions, this comprehensive 129-question study guide set
found in this prep material) is designed to cover the core vocabulary terms required for success.
Exam Description & Key Terms
The vocabulary section requires understanding word meanings within a healthcare context, including
words used in nursing notes, patient instruction, and medical scenarios.
• Key Themes: Anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient symptoms, and medical
procedures.
• Question Style: Multiple-choice questions, terms & definitions or the best meaning of a word
used in a sentence.
• Key Vocabulary Focus (129-Item Study Set Sample):
o Proscribe/Prescribe: Forbid / Issue a medical order.
o Holistic: Concerned with the whole, rather than just parts.
o Repugnant: Offensive; repulsive.
o Assiduous: Diligent; hardworking.
o Etiology: The cause of a disease or condition.
o Therapeutic: Related to healing.
o Patent: Open (e.g., a patent airway).
o Laconic/Meticulous: Brief / Precise.
Key Healthcare Vocabulary Terms
• Adverse: Undesired, harmful.
• Ambulate: To walk.
• Chronic: Lasting a long time.
• Contraindication: A reason a procedure/medication is not advisable.
• Exacerbate: To make worse.
1
, • Insidious: Gradual, subtle, or treacherous.
• Labile: Unstable; changing rapidly.
• Pathology: The study of disease.
• Precipitous: Rapid, uncontrolled.
• Void: To urinate.
Tips for Success
1. Understand Context: Many words have different meanings in daily life versus in medicine
(e.g., "acute" vs. "chronic").
2. Focus on Roots/Prefixes/Suffixes: Understanding basic medical terminology stems aids in
defining unfamiliar words.
3. Use Practice Tests: Utilize resources (like this) to simulate the exam experience.
4. Prioritize Commonly Misunderstood Words: Review words like obsolete, pivotal, and
ubiquitous for their precise meanings.
Quiz_________________?
Proscribe -
Answer
Forbid
Quiz_________________?
Holistic -
Answer
Concerned with whole
Quiz_________________?
Repugnant -
Answer
Offensive; to morals
2
, Quiz_________________?
Exiguous -
Answer
inadequency; lacking
Quiz_________________?
Untenable -
Answer
No support; ground
Quiz_________________?
Clement -
Answer
favorable
Quiz_________________?
Adversity -
Answer
a state of burden or hardship
Quiz_________________?
Anecdote -
Answer
a short story or account of an event
3
Questions & Verified Answers | 100%
Correct | Grade A (2026/2027)
This HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam is a standardized entrance test for nursing and health-
related programs. The HESI A2 Vocabulary & General Knowledge section evaluates a student's
command of basic English vocabulary and medical terminology relevant to clinical environments. While
the official exam typically contains 50 scored questions, this comprehensive 129-question study guide set
found in this prep material) is designed to cover the core vocabulary terms required for success.
Exam Description & Key Terms
The vocabulary section requires understanding word meanings within a healthcare context, including
words used in nursing notes, patient instruction, and medical scenarios.
• Key Themes: Anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient symptoms, and medical
procedures.
• Question Style: Multiple-choice questions, terms & definitions or the best meaning of a word
used in a sentence.
• Key Vocabulary Focus (129-Item Study Set Sample):
o Proscribe/Prescribe: Forbid / Issue a medical order.
o Holistic: Concerned with the whole, rather than just parts.
o Repugnant: Offensive; repulsive.
o Assiduous: Diligent; hardworking.
o Etiology: The cause of a disease or condition.
o Therapeutic: Related to healing.
o Patent: Open (e.g., a patent airway).
o Laconic/Meticulous: Brief / Precise.
Key Healthcare Vocabulary Terms
• Adverse: Undesired, harmful.
• Ambulate: To walk.
• Chronic: Lasting a long time.
• Contraindication: A reason a procedure/medication is not advisable.
• Exacerbate: To make worse.
1
, • Insidious: Gradual, subtle, or treacherous.
• Labile: Unstable; changing rapidly.
• Pathology: The study of disease.
• Precipitous: Rapid, uncontrolled.
• Void: To urinate.
Tips for Success
1. Understand Context: Many words have different meanings in daily life versus in medicine
(e.g., "acute" vs. "chronic").
2. Focus on Roots/Prefixes/Suffixes: Understanding basic medical terminology stems aids in
defining unfamiliar words.
3. Use Practice Tests: Utilize resources (like this) to simulate the exam experience.
4. Prioritize Commonly Misunderstood Words: Review words like obsolete, pivotal, and
ubiquitous for their precise meanings.
Quiz_________________?
Proscribe -
Answer
Forbid
Quiz_________________?
Holistic -
Answer
Concerned with whole
Quiz_________________?
Repugnant -
Answer
Offensive; to morals
2
, Quiz_________________?
Exiguous -
Answer
inadequency; lacking
Quiz_________________?
Untenable -
Answer
No support; ground
Quiz_________________?
Clement -
Answer
favorable
Quiz_________________?
Adversity -
Answer
a state of burden or hardship
Quiz_________________?
Anecdote -
Answer
a short story or account of an event
3
