HESI A2 | vocabulary exam | nursing entrance exam | medical terminology | word meanings | prefixes | suffixes | root words | reading comprehension | study guide | exam preparation | language skills

Introduction to HESI A2 Vocabulary Overview of HESI A2 Exam  The HESI A2 exam provides a comprehensive assessment for nursing school candidates.  It includes sections on basic vocabulary, grammar, chemistry, reading comprehension, biology, and math.  The exam duration is 50 minutes for 50 questions, testing various fundamental skills. Importance of Vocabulary  Vocabulary is a crucial component of the HESI A2 exam, assessing language proficiency.  Understanding and defining words accurately is essential for effective communication in healthcare settings.  Strong vocabulary skills are indicative of a candidate's ability to comprehend medical terminology and instructions. Study Resources for HESI A2  Utilize resources like the 'HESI A2 Pre-Nursing Exam' playlist for comprehensive preparation.  Practice grammar, chemistry, biology, and math alongside vocabulary to ensure a wellrounded study approach.  Engage with online videos and tutorials to enhance understanding and retention of key concepts. Key Vocabulary Concepts Vocabulary Definitions and Examples  Abrupt: Refers to something sudden and unexpected. Example: 'I was surprised by the abrupt change in gas prices.'  Assets: Resources or means of approach. Example: 'The Uber driver needed access to the gate to deliver your food.'  Adverse: Undesired or harmful. Example: 'The amount of alcohol consumption had an adverse effect on his liver.'  Aggregate: The sum or total of many things. Example: 'The council was an aggregate of three regional assemblies.'  Aid: Assistance or a helper. Example: 'The nurse saw her patient vomiting and went to his aid.'  Benevolent: Showing sympathy and generosity. Example: 'The Saint Jude Foundation has a reputation for being very benevolent.' Vocabulary Usage and Context  Circuitous Route: A longer route than the most direct way. Example: 'The Uber driver followed a circuitous route.'  Concise: Brief and to the point. Example: 'Her presentation was concise.'  Constrict: To draw together or become smaller. Example: 'Blood vessels constrict when smooth muscle tightens.'  Contour: The shape or outline of a shape. Example: 'Highlighting and contouring add a 3D appearance to your face.'  Diameter: The distance across the center of an object. Example: 'The diameter of the friction frame was 73 feet.'  Dilute: To make a liquid less concentrated. Example: 'To disinfect, dilute bleach with water.' Vocabulary Application and Impact  Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others. Example: 'The nurse showed empathy for her patients.'  Equilibrium: The state of balance. Example: 'The pair of scales is not in equilibrium.'  Eradicate: To destroy completely. Example: 'Smallpox has been eradicated since 1980.'  Dysfunction: Impaired or abnormal functions. Example: 'Her computer began to dysfunction due to many downloads.'  Ephemeral: Lasting for a short period of time. Example: 'Fashion trends are ephemeral.'  Docile: Easily handled or managed. Example: 'A docile workforce is essential for productivity.' Terminology and Definitions Medical Prefixes and Suffixes  Exogenous: Produced outside the body or related to external factors.  Internal: Located within the body.  Hyperbole: An exaggeration that makes something seem more than it is.  Neurologic: Relating to the nervous system.  Musculoskeletal: Relating to muscles and the skeleton.  Vascular: Relating to blood vessels. Medical Terms and Concepts  Metabolism: Sum of all chemical processes in an organism.  Manifestation: Indication or sign of a condition.  Prognosis: Anticipated course or outcome of a disease.  Remission: Improvement or absence of disease signs.  Respiration: Inhalation and exhalation of air.  Transmission: Transfer of a disease from person to person. Medical Conditions and States  Renal Failure: Condition related to kidney malfunction.  Lethargic: Difficulty in being aroused, extreme tiredness.  Trauma: Injury or wound to the body.  Syndrome: Group of symptoms reflecting a specific disease.  Vital Signs: Indicators of life, such as pulse and temperature.  Void: To expel urine or feces. Medical Practices and Procedures Medical Interventions  Therapeutic: Relating to the treatment of a disease or disorder.  Triage: Process of evaluating medical urgency and prioritizing treatment.  Regimen: Systematic plan for therapy or medication.  Prophylactic: Preventative measures to avoid disease.  Transdermal: Crossing through the skin, like patches.  Supplement: Additional substance taken for health benefits. Medical Assessments and Actions  Impending: Likely to occur soon.  Prognostic: Relating to making a prognosis.  Retained: Held or kept in place.  Restricted: Limited or controlled.  Triaged: Prioritized based on medical urgency.  Validated: Confirmed or substantiated. HESI A2 Vocabulary Study online at 1. What is the best definition for the word latent? A. Thorough. B. Dormant. C. Current. D. Obvious B. Something that is latent is unapparent but not necessarily nonexistent. For instance, a health condition can be latent without manifesting serious problems for many years. 2. What is the meaning of the word precipitous? A. Cautious. B. Languid. C. Subtle. D. Abrupt D. A precipitous change in health is immediate and unexpected; in other words, it happens abruptly. 3. What is the best definition of the word recur? A. Redo. B. Recreate. C. Return. D. Revolve. C. A recurring problem is one that keeps coming back. While something that recurs happens again (and again), this does not suggest the same meaning as redo, which indicates a complete do-over. 4. What is the meaning of the word diffuse? A. Disseminate. B. Compress. C. Distinct. D. Widen. A. To diffuse is to disseminate, or spread around. 5. What is the meaning of the word anterior? A. Previous. B. Front. B. Something anterior is located near the front, so answer choice B offers the correct meaning of the word. 1 / 23 HESI A2 Vocabulary Test Questions & Answers HESI A2 Vocabulary Study online at C. Crucial. D. Final. 6. What is the meaning of the word insidious? A. Reliable. B. Limited. C. Rapid. D. Subtle. D. The word insidious suggests something that is sneaky, unobtrusive, and subtle. An insidious disease is difficult to identify, diagnose, and treat. 7. What is the best definition for the word comply? A. Follow. B. Affect. C. Depend. D. Decline. A. In this case, the best definition for the word comply is follow. To comply is to go along with a request, or to follow orders or expectations. 8. Select the meaning of the capital word in this sentence: Despite the leadership problems that plagued the corporation, the CEO was quick to ASSERT his authority to ensure that business continued as usual. A. Maintain. B. Prevent. C. Censure. D. Accept. A. The context of the sentence suggests that the CEO intends to show that he is still in charge, in spite of leadership problems. As a result, the word maintain offers the best synonym for assert. 9. What is the meaning of the word occlude? A. Release. B. Invade. C. To occlude is to block, hinder, or prevent. 2 / 23 HESI A2 Vocabulary Test Questions & Answers HESI A2 Vocabulary Study online at C. Prevent. D. Direct. 10. Select the meaning of the capital word in this sentence: Having spent hours preparing her research, Eirinn felt that her colleague's hasty rejection of her presentaion was UNTOWARD and merited a formal complaint. A. Inappropriate. B. Delicate. C. Friendly. D. Eager. A. The sentence suggests that the colleague's remarks went beyond silly or unnecessary. If Eirinn feels that she should file a formal complaint, the colleague's remarks must have been inappropriate. 11. What is the best definition for the word superficial? A. Surface. B. Backward. C. Awkward. D. Intense. A. Something or someone that is superficial is focused only on appearances, or on what is on the surface. A wound that is superficial concerns only the surface of the skin. 12. What is the best definition for the word inverted? A. Credible. B. Benign. C. Forward. D. Reversed. D. To invert is to turn inside out or show a different side, and the same could be said for something that is reversed. 13. What is the meaning of the word void? A. Emit. B. Determine. A. The meaning of the word void is emit. Voiding is the process of releasing or removing the contents of something. Emitting is also releasing or sending out something. 3 / 23 HESI A2 Vocabulary Test Questions & Answers HESI A2 Vocabulary Study online at C. Confirm. D. Prevent. 14. Select the meaning of the capital word in this sentence: Fearful that the fever might have an ADVERSE effect, Catriona called the doctor for an emergency appointment. A. Preventive. B. Auspicious. C. Negative. D. Reckless. C. The context of the sentence suggests that Catriona is concerned about the danger of the fever, so it can be inferred that the word adverse means negative. 15. What is the meaning of the word contingent? A. Dependent. B. Protective. C. Definite. D. Intended A. The meaning of the word contingent is dependent. Contingency indicates a relationship between two (or more) items or events. For instance, going on vacation might be contingent upon not catching the flu. 16. Select the meaning of the capital word in this sentence: Philippa was upset about the doctor's unwillingness to release her from the hospital for another week, so she demanded that he explain his RATIONALE to her. A. Description. B. Justification C. Persistence. D. Ambiguity B. Philippa is upset that her plans to leave the hospital early are foiled, so she wants the doctor to explain himself. In other words, she wants his justification for the decision. 4 / 23 HESI A2 Vocabulary Test Questions & Answers HESI A2 Vocabulary Study online at 17. What is the best definition for the word patent? A. Inconspicuous. B. Privileged. C. Careless. D. Unconcealed. D. The best definition for the word patent is unconcealed. Something that is patent is open, obvious, clear, and leaving no doubt. 18. What is the best definition for the word labile? A. External. B. Meticulous. C. Fluctuating. D. Integral C. The best definition for the word labile is fluctuating. Lability indicates an ability to change quickly and rapidly, and the word fluctuating suggests constant movement or change. 19. What is the best definition for the word impending? A. Demanding. B. Approaching. C. Perilous. D. Producing. B. The best definition for the word impending is approaching. An impending event is soon to arrive, and the word approaching indicates that something is on its way. 20. What is the meaning of the word exacerbate? A. Aggravate. B. Exaggerate. C. Outrage. D. Alleviate. A. The meaning of the word exacerbate is aggravate. To exacerbate is to make something worse, and this is