HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam | 2026/2027 | 50 Questions
HESI A2 VOCABULARY EXAM
2026/2027 | Comprehensive Healthcare Terminology & Academic Word Knowledge Assessment
Evolve Nursing Entrance Exam Aligned | 50 Questions | 50 Minutes | Passing Score: 75-80%
Instructions
• This examination consists of exactly 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) with four options
(A, B, C, D).
• Select the single best answer for each question. Correct answers are highlighted in purple.
• Detailed rationales are provided in italic text with a lavender background for each question.
• Total testing time: 50 minutes. Passing score: 75-80% (38-40 correct answers).
• Questions cover medical terminology, academic vocabulary, healthcare terminology, word
relationships, prefixes/suffixes, spelling accuracy, critical reading, and scenario-based
application.
Domain Questions Points Score
Medical Terminology 1-8 8
Foundations
General Academic 9-16 8
Vocabulary
Healthcare-Specific 17-24 8
Terminology
Word Relationships & 25-32 8
Context
Prefixes, Suffixes & 33-38 6
Word Building
Spelling, 39-42 4
Pronunciation & Usage
Critical Reading in 43-47 4
Context
Scenario-Based 48-50 2
Application
TOTAL 1-50 50
Domain 1: Medical Terminology Foundations
1. The prefix "cardio-" refers to which body system?
A. Digestive system
B. Respiratory system
C. Heart
D. Liver
Rationale: The prefix "cardio-" derives from the Greek "kardia," meaning heart. It is a fundamental
medical combining form used in terms such as cardiology (study of the heart), cardiovascular
(pertaining to the heart and blood vessels), and cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle).
Understanding this root is essential for decoding healthcare terminology related to cardiac conditions
and treatments.
2. Which suffix indicates a surgical removal or excision?
A. -otomy
B. -ectomy
C. -ostomy
D. -plasty
Rationale: The suffix "-ectomy" means surgical removal or excision of a body part. For example,
appendectomy is the removal of the appendix, and mastectomy is the removal of breast tissue. This is
distinct from "-otomy" (cutting into), "-ostomy" (creating an opening), and "-plasty" (surgical repair or
reconstruction).
1
, HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam | 2026/2027 | 50 Questions
3. The combining form "neuro-" relates to which anatomical structure?
A. Kidneys
B. Nerves
C. Bones
D. Joints
Rationale: The combining form "neuro-" originates from the Greek "neuron," meaning nerve or the
nervous system. Common medical terms using this prefix include neurology (study of the nervous
system), neuropathy (nerve damage), and neurosurgery (surgical treatment of nervous system
disorders). It is one of the most frequently encountered combining forms in clinical medicine.
4. What does the prefix "hyper-" signify in medical terminology?
A. Below normal
B. Above normal
C. Without
D. Around
Rationale: The prefix "hyper-" means excessive, above normal, or more than usual. It is the direct
opposite of "hypo-" (below normal). Examples include hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure),
hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels), and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland).
Recognizing this prefix is critical for interpreting diagnostic results and patient assessments.
5. The suffix "-itis" in the diagnosis "bronchitis" indicates:
A. Surgical removal
B. Abnormal condition
C. Inflammation
D. Study of
Rationale: The suffix "-itis" denotes inflammation of a specified organ or tissue. Bronchitis
specifically means inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Other common examples include arthritis (joint
inflammation), dermatitis (skin inflammation), and gastritis (stomach lining inflammation). This is
among the most commonly tested suffixes on the HESI A2 vocabulary exam.
6. Which combining form refers to the stomach?
A. Hepat/o
B. Gastr/o
C. Enter/o
D. Nephr/o
Rationale: The combining form "gastr/o" means stomach. Gastroenterology, for instance, is the
medical specialty dealing with the stomach and intestines. In contrast, "hepat/o" refers to the liver,
"enter/o" refers to the intestines, and "nephr/o" refers to the kidneys. These distinctions are
fundamental for accurate medical documentation and clinical communication.
7. The prefix "brady-" in "bradycardia" means:
A. Fast
B. Slow
C. Irregular
D. Painful
Rationale: The prefix "brady-" means slow. Bradycardia describes an abnormally slow heart rate,
typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults. This is the opposite of "tachy-" (fast), as
seen in tachycardia (rapid heart rate). Understanding these opposing prefixes is essential for
interpreting cardiac assessment findings and vital sign documentation.
8. The combining form "my/o" refers to:
A. Bone
B. Muscle
C. Heart
D. Skin
Rationale: The combining form "my/o" means muscle. It appears in terms such as myocardial
(pertaining to the heart muscle), myopathy (muscle disease), and myositis (muscle inflammation). It is
2
HESI A2 VOCABULARY EXAM
2026/2027 | Comprehensive Healthcare Terminology & Academic Word Knowledge Assessment
Evolve Nursing Entrance Exam Aligned | 50 Questions | 50 Minutes | Passing Score: 75-80%
Instructions
• This examination consists of exactly 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) with four options
(A, B, C, D).
• Select the single best answer for each question. Correct answers are highlighted in purple.
• Detailed rationales are provided in italic text with a lavender background for each question.
• Total testing time: 50 minutes. Passing score: 75-80% (38-40 correct answers).
• Questions cover medical terminology, academic vocabulary, healthcare terminology, word
relationships, prefixes/suffixes, spelling accuracy, critical reading, and scenario-based
application.
Domain Questions Points Score
Medical Terminology 1-8 8
Foundations
General Academic 9-16 8
Vocabulary
Healthcare-Specific 17-24 8
Terminology
Word Relationships & 25-32 8
Context
Prefixes, Suffixes & 33-38 6
Word Building
Spelling, 39-42 4
Pronunciation & Usage
Critical Reading in 43-47 4
Context
Scenario-Based 48-50 2
Application
TOTAL 1-50 50
Domain 1: Medical Terminology Foundations
1. The prefix "cardio-" refers to which body system?
A. Digestive system
B. Respiratory system
C. Heart
D. Liver
Rationale: The prefix "cardio-" derives from the Greek "kardia," meaning heart. It is a fundamental
medical combining form used in terms such as cardiology (study of the heart), cardiovascular
(pertaining to the heart and blood vessels), and cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle).
Understanding this root is essential for decoding healthcare terminology related to cardiac conditions
and treatments.
2. Which suffix indicates a surgical removal or excision?
A. -otomy
B. -ectomy
C. -ostomy
D. -plasty
Rationale: The suffix "-ectomy" means surgical removal or excision of a body part. For example,
appendectomy is the removal of the appendix, and mastectomy is the removal of breast tissue. This is
distinct from "-otomy" (cutting into), "-ostomy" (creating an opening), and "-plasty" (surgical repair or
reconstruction).
1
, HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam | 2026/2027 | 50 Questions
3. The combining form "neuro-" relates to which anatomical structure?
A. Kidneys
B. Nerves
C. Bones
D. Joints
Rationale: The combining form "neuro-" originates from the Greek "neuron," meaning nerve or the
nervous system. Common medical terms using this prefix include neurology (study of the nervous
system), neuropathy (nerve damage), and neurosurgery (surgical treatment of nervous system
disorders). It is one of the most frequently encountered combining forms in clinical medicine.
4. What does the prefix "hyper-" signify in medical terminology?
A. Below normal
B. Above normal
C. Without
D. Around
Rationale: The prefix "hyper-" means excessive, above normal, or more than usual. It is the direct
opposite of "hypo-" (below normal). Examples include hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure),
hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels), and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland).
Recognizing this prefix is critical for interpreting diagnostic results and patient assessments.
5. The suffix "-itis" in the diagnosis "bronchitis" indicates:
A. Surgical removal
B. Abnormal condition
C. Inflammation
D. Study of
Rationale: The suffix "-itis" denotes inflammation of a specified organ or tissue. Bronchitis
specifically means inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Other common examples include arthritis (joint
inflammation), dermatitis (skin inflammation), and gastritis (stomach lining inflammation). This is
among the most commonly tested suffixes on the HESI A2 vocabulary exam.
6. Which combining form refers to the stomach?
A. Hepat/o
B. Gastr/o
C. Enter/o
D. Nephr/o
Rationale: The combining form "gastr/o" means stomach. Gastroenterology, for instance, is the
medical specialty dealing with the stomach and intestines. In contrast, "hepat/o" refers to the liver,
"enter/o" refers to the intestines, and "nephr/o" refers to the kidneys. These distinctions are
fundamental for accurate medical documentation and clinical communication.
7. The prefix "brady-" in "bradycardia" means:
A. Fast
B. Slow
C. Irregular
D. Painful
Rationale: The prefix "brady-" means slow. Bradycardia describes an abnormally slow heart rate,
typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute in adults. This is the opposite of "tachy-" (fast), as
seen in tachycardia (rapid heart rate). Understanding these opposing prefixes is essential for
interpreting cardiac assessment findings and vital sign documentation.
8. The combining form "my/o" refers to:
A. Bone
B. Muscle
C. Heart
D. Skin
Rationale: The combining form "my/o" means muscle. It appears in terms such as myocardial
(pertaining to the heart muscle), myopathy (muscle disease), and myositis (muscle inflammation). It is
2
