HESI A2 VocAbulAry ExAm, 2026/2027 – HEAltHcArE
tErmInology And AcAdEmIc Word compEtEncy
ASSESSmEnt
SECTION 1: WORD MEANINGS AND CONTEXT CLUES (Questions 1-15)
**Question 1**
The nurse noted that the patient's wound was **purulent**. The term "purulent" means:
A) Clear and watery
B) Containing or discharging pus
C) Red and inflamed
D) Dry and scaly
**Answer:** B) Containing or discharging pus
**Rationale:** Purulent refers to the presence of pus, which is a thick, yellowish or
greenish fluid composed of dead white blood cells, tissue debris, and bacteria. It
indicates infection. Clear/watery is serous, red/inflamed is erythematous, dry/scaly is
squamous.
---
**Question 2**
The physician ordered a **stat** laboratory test. The term "stat" means:
A) Within 24 hours
,B) Immediately and without delay
C) Within 1 hour
D) At bedtime
**Answer:** B) Immediately and without delay
**Rationale:** Stat comes from the Latin word "statim," meaning immediately. Stat
orders are priority and must be performed without delay. Routine orders are within 24
hours, morning labs are collected early AM, and bedtime medications are labeled "hs"
(hour of sleep).
---
**Question 3**
The patient was instructed to **ambulate** three times daily. The term "ambulate"
means:
A) Rest in bed
B) Walk or move about
C) Eat small meals
D) Deep breathe
**Answer:** B) Walk or move about
**Rationale:** Ambulate means to walk or move from place to place. Early ambulation
after surgery prevents complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia.
The opposite is bed rest or immobility.
---
**Question 4**
, The medication was administered **orally**. The term "orally" means:
A) Through the rectum
B) Through the mouth
C) Through the skin
D) Through injection
**Answer:** B) Through the mouth
**Rationale:** Oral administration means given by mouth and swallowed. Other routes:
rectal (suppository), topical (on skin), intravenous (into vein), intramuscular (into
muscle), sublingual (under tongue), buccal (between cheek and gum).
---
**Question 5**
The nurse assessed the patient for signs of **inflammation**. Which finding is NOT a
cardinal sign of inflammation?
A) Redness
B) Heat
C) Hair loss
D) Swelling
**Answer:** C) Hair loss
**Rationale:** The five cardinal signs of inflammation are: rubor (redness), calor
(heat), tumor (swelling), dolor (pain), and functio laesa (loss of function). Hair loss
(alopecia) is not an inflammatory sign but may indicate other conditions such as
medication side effects or autoimmune disease.
tErmInology And AcAdEmIc Word compEtEncy
ASSESSmEnt
SECTION 1: WORD MEANINGS AND CONTEXT CLUES (Questions 1-15)
**Question 1**
The nurse noted that the patient's wound was **purulent**. The term "purulent" means:
A) Clear and watery
B) Containing or discharging pus
C) Red and inflamed
D) Dry and scaly
**Answer:** B) Containing or discharging pus
**Rationale:** Purulent refers to the presence of pus, which is a thick, yellowish or
greenish fluid composed of dead white blood cells, tissue debris, and bacteria. It
indicates infection. Clear/watery is serous, red/inflamed is erythematous, dry/scaly is
squamous.
---
**Question 2**
The physician ordered a **stat** laboratory test. The term "stat" means:
A) Within 24 hours
,B) Immediately and without delay
C) Within 1 hour
D) At bedtime
**Answer:** B) Immediately and without delay
**Rationale:** Stat comes from the Latin word "statim," meaning immediately. Stat
orders are priority and must be performed without delay. Routine orders are within 24
hours, morning labs are collected early AM, and bedtime medications are labeled "hs"
(hour of sleep).
---
**Question 3**
The patient was instructed to **ambulate** three times daily. The term "ambulate"
means:
A) Rest in bed
B) Walk or move about
C) Eat small meals
D) Deep breathe
**Answer:** B) Walk or move about
**Rationale:** Ambulate means to walk or move from place to place. Early ambulation
after surgery prevents complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia.
The opposite is bed rest or immobility.
---
**Question 4**
, The medication was administered **orally**. The term "orally" means:
A) Through the rectum
B) Through the mouth
C) Through the skin
D) Through injection
**Answer:** B) Through the mouth
**Rationale:** Oral administration means given by mouth and swallowed. Other routes:
rectal (suppository), topical (on skin), intravenous (into vein), intramuscular (into
muscle), sublingual (under tongue), buccal (between cheek and gum).
---
**Question 5**
The nurse assessed the patient for signs of **inflammation**. Which finding is NOT a
cardinal sign of inflammation?
A) Redness
B) Heat
C) Hair loss
D) Swelling
**Answer:** C) Hair loss
**Rationale:** The five cardinal signs of inflammation are: rubor (redness), calor
(heat), tumor (swelling), dolor (pain), and functio laesa (loss of function). Hair loss
(alopecia) is not an inflammatory sign but may indicate other conditions such as
medication side effects or autoimmune disease.
