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HESI Medical Terminology terms
with their correct definitions
Abstain – To voluntarily refrain from something
Accountable – To be responsible
Acute – Sudden, intense
Adhere – To hold fast or stick together
Adverse – Undesired, possibly harmful
Aegis – Control, protection
Ambivalent – Uncertain, having contradictory feelings
Apply – To place, put on, or spread something
Assent – To give consent; to agree
Audible – Able to be heard
Bacteria – Single-celled microorganisms
Bilateral – Present on two sides
Cardiac – Of or relating to the heart
Cavity – An opening or an empty area
Cease – Come to an end or bring to an end
Chronology – Order of events as they occurred; timeline
Compensatory – Offsetting or making up for something
Concave – Rounded inward
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Concise – Brief, to the point
Consistency – Degree of viscosity; how thick or thin a fluid is in relation to
how it flows
Constrict – To draw together or become smaller
Contingent – Dependent
Contraindication – A reason something is not advisable or should not be
done
Convulsive – Having or causing convulsions, i.e., violent shaking of the
body
Cursory – Quick, perfunctory, not thorough
Defecate – Expel feces
Deficit – A deficiency or lack of something
Depress – Press downward
Depth – Downward measurement from a surface
Deteriorating – Worsening
Device – Tool or piece of equipment
Diagnosis – Identification of an injury or disease
Dilate – To enlarge or expand
Dilute – To make a liquid less concentrated
Discrete – Distinct, separate
Distal – Distant; away from the center (such as of the body)
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Distended – Enlarged or expanded from pressure
Dysfunction – Impaired or abnormal functioning
Empathy – Ability to share what others are feeling; understanding the
feelings of another
Equilibrium – Balance
Etiology – The origin or cause of a disease or condition
Exacerbate – To make worse or more severe
Expand – To increase in size or amount
Exposure – To come in contact
Extension – Lengthening; unbending a joint
External – Located outside the body
Fatal – Resulting in death
Fatigue – Extreme tiredness, exhaustion
Flexion – Bending a joint
Flushed – Reddened or ruddy appearance
Gastrointestinal – Of or relating to the stomach and the intestines
Hematologic – Of or relating to blood
Hydration – Maintenance of body fluid balance
Hygiene – Measures contributing to cleanliness and good health
Impaired – Diminished or lacking some usual quality or level
Impending – Occurring in the near future, about to happen
HESI Medical Terminology terms
with their correct definitions
Abstain – To voluntarily refrain from something
Accountable – To be responsible
Acute – Sudden, intense
Adhere – To hold fast or stick together
Adverse – Undesired, possibly harmful
Aegis – Control, protection
Ambivalent – Uncertain, having contradictory feelings
Apply – To place, put on, or spread something
Assent – To give consent; to agree
Audible – Able to be heard
Bacteria – Single-celled microorganisms
Bilateral – Present on two sides
Cardiac – Of or relating to the heart
Cavity – An opening or an empty area
Cease – Come to an end or bring to an end
Chronology – Order of events as they occurred; timeline
Compensatory – Offsetting or making up for something
Concave – Rounded inward
, 2|Page
Concise – Brief, to the point
Consistency – Degree of viscosity; how thick or thin a fluid is in relation to
how it flows
Constrict – To draw together or become smaller
Contingent – Dependent
Contraindication – A reason something is not advisable or should not be
done
Convulsive – Having or causing convulsions, i.e., violent shaking of the
body
Cursory – Quick, perfunctory, not thorough
Defecate – Expel feces
Deficit – A deficiency or lack of something
Depress – Press downward
Depth – Downward measurement from a surface
Deteriorating – Worsening
Device – Tool or piece of equipment
Diagnosis – Identification of an injury or disease
Dilate – To enlarge or expand
Dilute – To make a liquid less concentrated
Discrete – Distinct, separate
Distal – Distant; away from the center (such as of the body)
, 3|Page
Distended – Enlarged or expanded from pressure
Dysfunction – Impaired or abnormal functioning
Empathy – Ability to share what others are feeling; understanding the
feelings of another
Equilibrium – Balance
Etiology – The origin or cause of a disease or condition
Exacerbate – To make worse or more severe
Expand – To increase in size or amount
Exposure – To come in contact
Extension – Lengthening; unbending a joint
External – Located outside the body
Fatal – Resulting in death
Fatigue – Extreme tiredness, exhaustion
Flexion – Bending a joint
Flushed – Reddened or ruddy appearance
Gastrointestinal – Of or relating to the stomach and the intestines
Hematologic – Of or relating to blood
Hydration – Maintenance of body fluid balance
Hygiene – Measures contributing to cleanliness and good health
Impaired – Diminished or lacking some usual quality or level
Impending – Occurring in the near future, about to happen
