Below is our free HESI A2 Vocabulary practice test. Make sure you do a lot of HESI Vocabulary practice before you take your exam. There are a wide variety of words that will be tested, including many medical terms. Many of the questions present the word in the context of a sentence, which makes is easier to figure out. If you are not sure about a word, just make your best guess.
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Question 1 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The patient’s stomach appeared distended, and the physician decided to order an ultrasound.
bloated | |
weeping | |
sponge-like | |
robust |
Question 2 |
What is the best description for the word therapeutic?
understanding | |
remedial | |
palliative | |
concurrent |
Question 3 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
When the lab work returned, it appeared that the patient’s hematologic values were abnormal.
circumference | |
blood | |
immune system | |
circulatory |
Question 4 |
Which word means “to happen again”?
tended | |
recommended | |
follow | |
recur |
Question 5 |
What word meaning “to complete or enhance when added” fits best in the sentence?
In order to retain weight and maintain a good nutritional status, the doctor wanted the patient to ________ his diet with additional foods containing protein.
template | |
blend | |
continue | |
supplement |
Question 6 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The medication was ordered to be given as a sublingual dose.
oral | |
by mouth | |
under the tongue | |
rectally |
Question 7 |
What is the best description for the word retain?
eliminate | |
keep | |
despair | |
eject |
Question 8 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The patient appeared flushed with fever, which had risen to 101.3 degrees.
clouded | |
reddened | |
blackened | |
annihilated |
Question 9 |
What word meaning “to make things worse” fits best in the sentence?
The doctor had prescribed an antibiotic to cure the patient’s infection, which had ______ matters by causing a pruritic rash.
exacerbated | |
exhilarated | |
augmented | |
mistreated |
Question 10 |
Select the correct definition of the underlined word in the sentence.
The nurse practitioner was having trouble getting IV access in the patient’s arm.
control | |
protocol | |
entry | |
permission |
Question 11 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The medication could cause a burning sensation, so the pharmacy technician diluted it with normal saline.
potentiated | |
poisoned | |
weakened | |
glorified |
Question 12 |
What is the best description for the word latent?
hidden | |
active | |
revealed | |
courageous |
Question 13 |
The nurse noted in the chart, “The patient was rational when he decided to agree to the necessary surgery.” Describe the patient’s behavior.
jarring | |
daring | |
reasonable | |
exemplary |
Question 14 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The preexisting condition was covered by insurance, and the patient did not have to pay for surgery.
juxtaposing | |
false | |
negligible | |
exist beforehand |
Question 15 |
Ominous is best defined as:
clarifying | |
portentous | |
sensuous | |
demanding |
Question 16 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The manifestation of a rash on the patient’s skin indicated that he was allergic.
shirking | |
appearance | |
donning | |
acquiescence |
Question 17 |
What is the best description for the term volume?
The quantitative measurement of a liquid. | |
The force exerted on any object by gravity. | |
The measurement of something from end to end. | |
The number of unit squares equal in measure to the surface. |
Question 18 |
Select the word or phrase that will make the sentence grammatically correct.
The nurse asked the assistant if she would ______ the bandage.
conform | |
erect | |
apply | |
administer |
Question 19 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The girl hadn’t eaten properly for weeks; her cheekbones were nearly concave in shape.
extended | |
extinguished | |
bowed inward | |
bulging |
Question 20 |
Compensatory is best described as ________.
corrective | |
sociable | |
beleaguered | |
courteous |
Question 21 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The doctors who were participating in rounds wanted to know the patient’s status as of this morning.
bias | |
peak | |
condition | |
cognizance |
Question 22 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
In what appeared to be a paroxysmal reaction, the medication only seemed to make the patient’s spasms worse.
unprecedented | |
sudden | |
ironic | |
curved |
Question 23 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The nurse manager lectured the RNs that they would each be held accountable for their actions.
scrupulously | |
heartened | |
liable | |
acquainted |
Question 24 |
Select the word that means “to urinate.”
void | |
eliminate | |
evacuate | |
divert |
Question 25 |
Primary is best defined as:
subtle | |
following | |
first | |
aimless |
Question 26 |
What word meaning “to bind or inhibit” fits best in the sentence?
The doctor gave an order to ________ the patient as necessary in order to keep the patient from hurting himself.
focus | |
correlate | |
caress | |
restrict |
Question 27 |
Select the best meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The musculoskeletal system is expansive and is one of the first body systems to feel the effects of age.
muscles and bones | |
muscles and ligaments | |
bones and ligaments | |
muscles and organ tissues |
Question 28 |
Gender is best described as ______.
applying | |
sex | |
shape | |
predilection |
Question 29 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The patient’s neurovascular system was compromised and he fainted.
relating to the vascular system and blood flow | |
relating to the nerves and especially their effect on blood flow | |
relating to the nerves only | |
relating to an uninhibited section of the body |
Question 30 |
Select the correct definition of the underlined word in the sentence.
The toddler’s ultrasound contained possible foreign bodies in his abdominal cavity.
cavern | |
container | |
empty or hollow space | |
defined area |
Question 31 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The nurse made sure to depress the drainage bulb so that it would begin applying suction pressure immediately.
compress | |
liquefy | |
clarify | |
encourage |
Question 32 |
Select the word or phrase that will make the sentence grammatically correct.
The patient was ________ to aspiration, and that’s why they made sure he was sitting upright for dinner.
weakened | |
suspected | |
predisposed | |
easy |
Question 33 |
What is the best description for the word elevate?
rectify | |
elucidate | |
lift | |
plead |
Question 34 |
The patient seemed nervous now that the impending surgery date was confirmed. When is the surgery most likely to happen out of the following choices?
soon | |
next year | |
within ten years | |
never |
Question 35 |
What word meaning “obvious or visible” fits best in the sentence?
The doctor had put his opinion in the plainest language possible; there was nothing more to be done for the patient besides comfort care.
professional | |
condoned | |
single | |
overt |
Question 36 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The nurse reminded the patient that he was ordered to be on strict bed rest until the doctor said otherwise.
lackadaisical | |
absolute | |
shifting | |
lax |
Question 37 |
What is the best description for the term pathology?
the study of the disease process | |
the existence of disease | |
the carelessness of infection prevention | |
the maintenance of chronic diseases |
Question 38 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The labored respirations of the patient began to be far and few between as he slipped peacefully toward death.
undertakings | |
journey | |
breathing | |
struggling |
Question 39 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The nurse checked that the tube was patent before she connected the patient’s next feeding.
closed | |
open | |
available | |
hidden |
Question 40 |
What word meaning “sudden and possibly unexpected” fits best in the sentence?
Although the nursing unit did their best to care for the patient, he passed away in a/n ______ manner when his heart stopped.
violent | |
abrupt | |
contained | |
ordered |
Question 41 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The patient decided to abstain from alcohol for the rest of his life, which his family agreed was for the better.
allow | |
hide | |
forgo | |
indulge |
Question 42 |
What is the best description for the word comply?
to argue loudly | |
to soften or make malleable | |
to reluctantly agree | |
to follow instructions willingly |
Question 43 |
Select the word that means “important.”
vital | |
corrective | |
instigative | |
diversional |
Question 44 |
Oral is best defined as:
audible | |
constitutive | |
significant | |
by mouth |
Question 45 |
What word meaning “to absorb or intake” fits best in the sentence?
The patient was brought to the emergency room because he had a planned to ______ a lethal amount of Tylenol.
inject | |
ingest | |
build | |
summarize |
Question 46 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The patient’s exacerbation of sickle cell disease was worsened due to his poor hydration status.
water balance | |
nutritional status | |
financial situation | |
emotional stability |
Question 47 |
Select the best meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
Peristalsis is a function of the gastrointestinal system that is performed by nerve cells.
of or relating to the cranial nerves | |
of or relating to the pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, intestines, and anus | |
of or relating to the autonomic nervous system | |
of or relating to the colon only |
Question 48 |
Flaccid is best described as ______.
toned | |
limp | |
rotted | |
amused |
Question 49 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The drainage coming from the wound had the consistency of mucus but looked like blood.
variation | |
aroma | |
texture | |
erraticism |
Question 50 |
Select the correct definition of the underlined word in the sentence.
The patient demonstrated a neurological deficit he had not shown prior to the accident.
ability | |
shortfall | |
error | |
concurrence |
Question 51 |
What is the best description for the word defecate?
to have a bowel movement | |
to surrender to an opposing side | |
to conquer in battle | |
to strain |
Question 52 |
Select the word or phrase that will make the sentence grammatically correct.
The stroke had a/n _______ on the patient’s ability to move her right arm.
affect | |
effect | |
inference | |
innuendo |
Question 53 |
What is the best description for the word nutrient?
substance | |
energy | |
program | |
food |
Question 54 |
Soon after the surgery, the patient found he had to suppress the urge to vomit. What does “suppress” mean in this context?
correct | |
exemplify | |
counter | |
antagonize |
Question 55 |
What word meaning “heart” fits best in the sentence?
The doctor’s report indicated that the patient’s _______ status was at risk from the medications he was taking.
musculoskeletal | |
pancreatic | |
cholecystic | |
cardiac |
Question 56 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The nurse knew her shift would cease at 0730 and she would be able to go home.
end | |
prolong | |
continue | |
succeed |
Question 57 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
The patient’s health appeared to be contingent on her taking the medications.
erroneous | |
contagious | |
dependent | |
reliable |
Question 58 |
What is the best description for the term fatigue?
energy level | |
exhaustion | |
correction | |
motivation |
Question 59 |
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence.
Gloves are a required precaution when dealing with blood and other bodily fluids.
recommendation | |
situation | |
safeguard | |
accommodation |
Question 60 |
What word meaning “issues or characteristics” fits best in the sentence?
Although the patient tested positive for mononucleosis, she showed no _______.
aftereffects | |
disappointment | |
symptoms | |
lethargy |
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 60 questions to complete.
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