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HESI A2 — Vocabulary & General Knowledge Exam |
Advanced/Hard Difficulty | Graded A+
1. The nurse noted that the patient's condition was deteriorating rapidly. What is the
meaning of the underlined word?
A. Improving
B. Worsening
C. Stabilizing
D. Fluctuating
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: 'Deteriorating' means becoming progressively worse. It is the
opposite of improving or stabilizing. Fluctuating means varying irregularly.
2. Which word is a synonym for adverse as used in the sentence, "The medication may
cause adverse reactions"?
A. Beneficial
B. Harmful
C. Expected
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D. Mild
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: 'Adverse' means unfavorable or harmful. In a medical context,
adverse reactions are negative side effects. Beneficial is an antonym.
3. The doctor recommended a therapeutic diet for the patient. What does "therapeutic"
mean in this context?
A. Restrictive
B. Tasty
C. Healing
D. Temporary
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: 'Therapeutic' relates to the treatment or healing of disease. A
therapeutic diet is one prescribed to promote health or manage a condition.
4. Which of the following words is a noun?
A. Benevolent
B. Create
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C. Altruism
D. Quickly
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: 'Altruism' is a noun meaning selfless concern for the well-being of
others. 'Benevolent' is an adjective, 'create' is a verb, and 'quickly' is an adverb.
5. The patient's symptoms were ambiguous, making diagnosis difficult. What is the
meaning of "ambiguous"?
A. Clear
B. Severe
C. Unclear
D. Mild
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: 'Ambiguous' means open to more than one interpretation or
unclear. Clear is its direct antonym.
6. Which word is an antonym for acute?
A. Severe
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B. Intense
C. Chronic
D. Sharp
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: 'Acute' means severe or sudden onset, while 'chronic' means long-
lasting or persistent. They are opposites in the context of duration.
7. The nurse will administer the medication at 0800. What is the meaning of "administer"?
A. Prescribe
B. Give
C. Withhold
D. Suggest
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: In a healthcare context, 'administer' means to give or apply
medication or treatment. It is more specific than suggest or prescribe.
8. Which of the following words means "to make something worse"?
A. Ameliorate
HESI A2 — Vocabulary & General Knowledge Exam |
Advanced/Hard Difficulty | Graded A+
1. The nurse noted that the patient's condition was deteriorating rapidly. What is the
meaning of the underlined word?
A. Improving
B. Worsening
C. Stabilizing
D. Fluctuating
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: 'Deteriorating' means becoming progressively worse. It is the
opposite of improving or stabilizing. Fluctuating means varying irregularly.
2. Which word is a synonym for adverse as used in the sentence, "The medication may
cause adverse reactions"?
A. Beneficial
B. Harmful
C. Expected
,2
D. Mild
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: 'Adverse' means unfavorable or harmful. In a medical context,
adverse reactions are negative side effects. Beneficial is an antonym.
3. The doctor recommended a therapeutic diet for the patient. What does "therapeutic"
mean in this context?
A. Restrictive
B. Tasty
C. Healing
D. Temporary
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: 'Therapeutic' relates to the treatment or healing of disease. A
therapeutic diet is one prescribed to promote health or manage a condition.
4. Which of the following words is a noun?
A. Benevolent
B. Create
,3
C. Altruism
D. Quickly
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: 'Altruism' is a noun meaning selfless concern for the well-being of
others. 'Benevolent' is an adjective, 'create' is a verb, and 'quickly' is an adverb.
5. The patient's symptoms were ambiguous, making diagnosis difficult. What is the
meaning of "ambiguous"?
A. Clear
B. Severe
C. Unclear
D. Mild
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: 'Ambiguous' means open to more than one interpretation or
unclear. Clear is its direct antonym.
6. Which word is an antonym for acute?
A. Severe
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B. Intense
C. Chronic
D. Sharp
☑ Correct Answer: C
☑ Explanation: 'Acute' means severe or sudden onset, while 'chronic' means long-
lasting or persistent. They are opposites in the context of duration.
7. The nurse will administer the medication at 0800. What is the meaning of "administer"?
A. Prescribe
B. Give
C. Withhold
D. Suggest
☑ Correct Answer: B
☑ Explanation: In a healthcare context, 'administer' means to give or apply
medication or treatment. It is more specific than suggest or prescribe.
8. Which of the following words means "to make something worse"?
A. Ameliorate
