HESI A2 VOCABULARY – NURSING ENTRANCE EXAM PREPARATION,
ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 | 55 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | GRADED A+ |
100% VERIFIED
HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Examination – Vocabulary Section | Core Domains: Medical Terminology, Common Prefixes (brady-, hyper-,
hypo-, sub-, pre-, post-), Roots (derm, cardi, gastr, hepat, nephr), Suffixes (-itis, -ology, -ectomy, -algia, -emia), Synonyms & Antonyms, Context
Clues, Word Relationships, Multiple Meaning Words, Grammar & Usage in Healthcare Contexts, and Academic/Healthcare Vocabulary | Nursing
& Healthcare Admissions Focus | Standardized Verbal Assessment Format
Table of Contents
• Section 1: Medical Prefixes (Questions 1-11) • Section 2: Medical Roots (Questions 12-22) • Section 3: Medical Suffixes (Questions 23-
33) • Section 4: Synonyms & Antonyms (Questions 34-44) • Section 5: Context Clues & Healthcare Vocabulary (Questions 45-55)
Exam Structure
The HESI A2 Vocabulary Examination is a critical component of nursing program admissions consisting of:
• 50 scored multiple-choice questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions (55 total questions) on the actual exam
• 50-minute time limit
• Percentage-based scoring with 75–80% minimum required by most programs and 85%+ recommended for competitive applicants
• Applied vocabulary understanding and medical terminology decoding rather than simple definition memorization
Introduction
This HESI A2 Vocabulary Nursing Entrance Exam Preparation document for the 2026/2027 academic cycle reflects the official Elsevier HESI
Admission Assessment Exam requirements for nursing program admissions. The vocabulary section evaluates comprehensive understanding of
word meanings, medical terminology, and contextual usage essential for nursing education and professional practice.
The examination tests knowledge of medical prefixes, roots, and suffixes that form the foundation of healthcare terminology. Key concepts include
"brady-" (slow), "tachy-" (fast), "hyper-" (above normal), "hypo-" (below normal), "sub-" (under), "epi-" (upon), "-itis" (inflammation), "-ology"
(study of), "-ectomy" (surgical removal), and "-algia" (pain). Students must demonstrate ability to decode complex medical terms, understand
nuanced word meanings in healthcare contexts, and develop precise communication skills vital for patient safety and professional documentation.
The test bank emphasizes functional vocabulary application, contextual interpretation, and precise word usage—mirroring the actual HESI A2
approach of testing practical language skills rather than isolated definitions. Each question includes the correct answer in bold green followed by a
detailed rationale that breaks down word parts (prefix/root/suffix), explains contextual usage, and clarifies distinctions between commonly
confused terms in healthcare.
Answer Format
All questions must be presented in bold text for clear distinction and readability.
All correct answers must be presented in bold and green, followed by clearly defined, linguistically focused rationales that reinforce anatomical
terminology, physiological concepts, and clinical relevance for nursing practice.
Section 1: Medical Prefixes (Questions 1-11)
,Question 1: What does the prefix "brady-" mean in medical terminology?
A) Fast
B) Slow
C) Above normal
D) Below normal
Correct Answer: B) Slow
Rationale: The prefix "brady-" means slow. For example, bradycardia means slow heart rate (below 60 bpm in adults). This is contrasted with "tachy-
" which means fast (tachycardia = fast heart rate).
Question 2: What does the prefix "hyper-" indicate?
A) Below normal
B) Above normal or excessive
C) Normal
D) Absent
Correct Answer: B) Above normal or excessive
Rationale: The prefix "hyper-" means above normal or excessive. Examples include hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperglycemia (high blood
sugar), and hyperthermia (elevated body temperature). This is opposite of "hypo-" which means below normal.
Question 3: What does the prefix "hypo-" mean?
A) Above normal
B) Below normal or deficient
C) Equal to
D) Rapid
Correct Answer: B) Below normal or deficient
Rationale: The prefix "hypo-" means below normal or deficient. Examples include hypotension (low blood pressure), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),
and hypothermia (low body temperature). This is opposite of "hyper-".
Question 4: What does the prefix "sub-" indicate?
A) Above
B) Under or below
C) Between
, D) Around
Correct Answer: B) Under or below
Rationale: The prefix "sub-" means under or below. Examples include subcutaneous (under the skin), sublingual (under the tongue), and subacute
(less than acute). This helps identify location or degree in medical terms.
Question 5: What does the prefix "pre-" mean?
A) After
B) Before
C) During
D) Without
Correct Answer: B) Before
Rationale: The prefix "pre-" means before. Examples include preoperative (before surgery), prenatal (before birth), and premedication (medication
given before procedure). This is opposite of "post-" which means after.
Question 6: What does the prefix "post-" indicate?
A) Before
B) After
C) During
D) Between
Correct Answer: B) After
Rationale: The prefix "post-" means after. Examples include postoperative (after surgery), postpartum (after childbirth), and postprandial (after
eating). This is opposite of "pre-" which means before.
Question 7: What does the prefix "tachy-" mean?
A) Slow
B) Fast or rapid
C) Irregular
D) Absent
Correct Answer: B) Fast or rapid
Rationale: The prefix "tachy-" means fast or rapid. Examples include tachycardia (fast heart rate), tachypnea (rapid breathing), and tachyphylaxis
(rapid decrease in response to drug). This is opposite of "brady-" which means slow.
ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 | 55 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | GRADED A+ |
100% VERIFIED
HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Examination – Vocabulary Section | Core Domains: Medical Terminology, Common Prefixes (brady-, hyper-,
hypo-, sub-, pre-, post-), Roots (derm, cardi, gastr, hepat, nephr), Suffixes (-itis, -ology, -ectomy, -algia, -emia), Synonyms & Antonyms, Context
Clues, Word Relationships, Multiple Meaning Words, Grammar & Usage in Healthcare Contexts, and Academic/Healthcare Vocabulary | Nursing
& Healthcare Admissions Focus | Standardized Verbal Assessment Format
Table of Contents
• Section 1: Medical Prefixes (Questions 1-11) • Section 2: Medical Roots (Questions 12-22) • Section 3: Medical Suffixes (Questions 23-
33) • Section 4: Synonyms & Antonyms (Questions 34-44) • Section 5: Context Clues & Healthcare Vocabulary (Questions 45-55)
Exam Structure
The HESI A2 Vocabulary Examination is a critical component of nursing program admissions consisting of:
• 50 scored multiple-choice questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions (55 total questions) on the actual exam
• 50-minute time limit
• Percentage-based scoring with 75–80% minimum required by most programs and 85%+ recommended for competitive applicants
• Applied vocabulary understanding and medical terminology decoding rather than simple definition memorization
Introduction
This HESI A2 Vocabulary Nursing Entrance Exam Preparation document for the 2026/2027 academic cycle reflects the official Elsevier HESI
Admission Assessment Exam requirements for nursing program admissions. The vocabulary section evaluates comprehensive understanding of
word meanings, medical terminology, and contextual usage essential for nursing education and professional practice.
The examination tests knowledge of medical prefixes, roots, and suffixes that form the foundation of healthcare terminology. Key concepts include
"brady-" (slow), "tachy-" (fast), "hyper-" (above normal), "hypo-" (below normal), "sub-" (under), "epi-" (upon), "-itis" (inflammation), "-ology"
(study of), "-ectomy" (surgical removal), and "-algia" (pain). Students must demonstrate ability to decode complex medical terms, understand
nuanced word meanings in healthcare contexts, and develop precise communication skills vital for patient safety and professional documentation.
The test bank emphasizes functional vocabulary application, contextual interpretation, and precise word usage—mirroring the actual HESI A2
approach of testing practical language skills rather than isolated definitions. Each question includes the correct answer in bold green followed by a
detailed rationale that breaks down word parts (prefix/root/suffix), explains contextual usage, and clarifies distinctions between commonly
confused terms in healthcare.
Answer Format
All questions must be presented in bold text for clear distinction and readability.
All correct answers must be presented in bold and green, followed by clearly defined, linguistically focused rationales that reinforce anatomical
terminology, physiological concepts, and clinical relevance for nursing practice.
Section 1: Medical Prefixes (Questions 1-11)
,Question 1: What does the prefix "brady-" mean in medical terminology?
A) Fast
B) Slow
C) Above normal
D) Below normal
Correct Answer: B) Slow
Rationale: The prefix "brady-" means slow. For example, bradycardia means slow heart rate (below 60 bpm in adults). This is contrasted with "tachy-
" which means fast (tachycardia = fast heart rate).
Question 2: What does the prefix "hyper-" indicate?
A) Below normal
B) Above normal or excessive
C) Normal
D) Absent
Correct Answer: B) Above normal or excessive
Rationale: The prefix "hyper-" means above normal or excessive. Examples include hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperglycemia (high blood
sugar), and hyperthermia (elevated body temperature). This is opposite of "hypo-" which means below normal.
Question 3: What does the prefix "hypo-" mean?
A) Above normal
B) Below normal or deficient
C) Equal to
D) Rapid
Correct Answer: B) Below normal or deficient
Rationale: The prefix "hypo-" means below normal or deficient. Examples include hypotension (low blood pressure), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar),
and hypothermia (low body temperature). This is opposite of "hyper-".
Question 4: What does the prefix "sub-" indicate?
A) Above
B) Under or below
C) Between
, D) Around
Correct Answer: B) Under or below
Rationale: The prefix "sub-" means under or below. Examples include subcutaneous (under the skin), sublingual (under the tongue), and subacute
(less than acute). This helps identify location or degree in medical terms.
Question 5: What does the prefix "pre-" mean?
A) After
B) Before
C) During
D) Without
Correct Answer: B) Before
Rationale: The prefix "pre-" means before. Examples include preoperative (before surgery), prenatal (before birth), and premedication (medication
given before procedure). This is opposite of "post-" which means after.
Question 6: What does the prefix "post-" indicate?
A) Before
B) After
C) During
D) Between
Correct Answer: B) After
Rationale: The prefix "post-" means after. Examples include postoperative (after surgery), postpartum (after childbirth), and postprandial (after
eating). This is opposite of "pre-" which means before.
Question 7: What does the prefix "tachy-" mean?
A) Slow
B) Fast or rapid
C) Irregular
D) Absent
Correct Answer: B) Fast or rapid
Rationale: The prefix "tachy-" means fast or rapid. Examples include tachycardia (fast heart rate), tachypnea (rapid breathing), and tachyphylaxis
(rapid decrease in response to drug). This is opposite of "brady-" which means slow.
