HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam (2026/2027) | EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS | GRADED A+
HESI A2 Vocabulary Section | Core Domains: Medical Terminology, Common Prefixes, Roots, and
Suffixes, Synonyms & Antonyms, Context Clues, Word Relationships, Grammar & Usage, and
Academic/Healthcare Vocabulary | Nursing & Healthcare Admissions Focus | Standardized Verbal
Assessment Format
Exam Structure
The HESI A2 Vocabulary exam for the 2026/2027 admissions cycle is a 55-question, multiple-choice
examination.
Introduction
This HESI A2 Vocabulary preparation guide for the 2026/2027 academic year builds the essential verbal
reasoning and medical language skills required for nursing education. The content emphasizes decoding
complex medical terms, understanding nuanced word meanings in healthcare contexts, and developing
the precise communication skills vital for patient safety and professional documentation.
Answer Format
All correct answers and vocabulary definitions must be presented in bold and green, followed by
detailed rationales that break down word parts (prefix/root/suffix), explain contextual usage, and clarify
distinctions between commonly confused terms in healthcare.
1. The prefix "brady-" means:
A. Fast
B. Slow
C. Pain
D. Against
B. Slow
"Brady-" is a common medical prefix derived from Greek, meaning slow. It appears in terms like
bradycardia (slow heart rate) and bradykinesia (slow movement). Nurses must recognize this prefix to
interpret vital signs and neurological assessments accurately.
2. The word "subcutaneous" means:
,A. Within the muscle
B. Beneath the skin
C. Above the skin
D. Inside the vein
B. Beneath the skin
"Sub-" (under) + "cutane" (skin) + "-ous" (pertaining to) = beneath the skin. Subcutaneous injections
(e.g., insulin, heparin) are administered into the fatty tissue below the dermis. Confusing this with
intramuscular or intravenous routes could lead to medication errors.
3. Which term means "inflammation of the stomach"?
A. Gastritis
B. Gastroenteritis
C. Gastrectomy
D. Gastric
A. Gastritis
"Gastr-" (stomach) + "-itis" (inflammation) = gastritis. Suffix "-itis" always denotes inflammation.
Gastroenteritis involves both stomach and intestines; gastrectomy is surgical removal ("ectomy" =
excision). Accurate terminology ensures proper patient education and documentation.
4. The suffix "-ology" means:
A. Disease
B. Study of
C. Removal
D. Condition
B. Study of
, "-ology" comes from Greek "logos" (word, study). Examples: cardiology (study of the heart), neurology
(study of nerves). Understanding this suffix helps decode academic and clinical specialties, aiding
interdisciplinary communication.
5. The root "derm" refers to:
A. Bone
B. Muscle
C. Skin
D. Nerve
C. Skin
"Derm" (from Greek "derma") means skin. Found in dermatology (skin specialty), epidermis (outer skin
layer), and hypodermic (under the skin). Skin integrity is a core nursing assessment; precise
terminology supports accurate wound documentation.
6. What does the prefix "hyper-" indicate?
A. Below normal
B. Within normal
C. Above normal
D. Absence of
C. Above normal
"Hyper-" means excessive or above normal (e.g., hypertension = high blood pressure, hyperglycemia =
high blood sugar). Its opposite is "hypo-" (below normal). Recognizing these prefixes is critical for
interpreting lab results and medication orders.
7. The term "bilateral" means:
A. Affecting one side
B. Affecting both sides
C. Located in the middle
ANSWERS | GRADED A+
HESI A2 Vocabulary Section | Core Domains: Medical Terminology, Common Prefixes, Roots, and
Suffixes, Synonyms & Antonyms, Context Clues, Word Relationships, Grammar & Usage, and
Academic/Healthcare Vocabulary | Nursing & Healthcare Admissions Focus | Standardized Verbal
Assessment Format
Exam Structure
The HESI A2 Vocabulary exam for the 2026/2027 admissions cycle is a 55-question, multiple-choice
examination.
Introduction
This HESI A2 Vocabulary preparation guide for the 2026/2027 academic year builds the essential verbal
reasoning and medical language skills required for nursing education. The content emphasizes decoding
complex medical terms, understanding nuanced word meanings in healthcare contexts, and developing
the precise communication skills vital for patient safety and professional documentation.
Answer Format
All correct answers and vocabulary definitions must be presented in bold and green, followed by
detailed rationales that break down word parts (prefix/root/suffix), explain contextual usage, and clarify
distinctions between commonly confused terms in healthcare.
1. The prefix "brady-" means:
A. Fast
B. Slow
C. Pain
D. Against
B. Slow
"Brady-" is a common medical prefix derived from Greek, meaning slow. It appears in terms like
bradycardia (slow heart rate) and bradykinesia (slow movement). Nurses must recognize this prefix to
interpret vital signs and neurological assessments accurately.
2. The word "subcutaneous" means:
,A. Within the muscle
B. Beneath the skin
C. Above the skin
D. Inside the vein
B. Beneath the skin
"Sub-" (under) + "cutane" (skin) + "-ous" (pertaining to) = beneath the skin. Subcutaneous injections
(e.g., insulin, heparin) are administered into the fatty tissue below the dermis. Confusing this with
intramuscular or intravenous routes could lead to medication errors.
3. Which term means "inflammation of the stomach"?
A. Gastritis
B. Gastroenteritis
C. Gastrectomy
D. Gastric
A. Gastritis
"Gastr-" (stomach) + "-itis" (inflammation) = gastritis. Suffix "-itis" always denotes inflammation.
Gastroenteritis involves both stomach and intestines; gastrectomy is surgical removal ("ectomy" =
excision). Accurate terminology ensures proper patient education and documentation.
4. The suffix "-ology" means:
A. Disease
B. Study of
C. Removal
D. Condition
B. Study of
, "-ology" comes from Greek "logos" (word, study). Examples: cardiology (study of the heart), neurology
(study of nerves). Understanding this suffix helps decode academic and clinical specialties, aiding
interdisciplinary communication.
5. The root "derm" refers to:
A. Bone
B. Muscle
C. Skin
D. Nerve
C. Skin
"Derm" (from Greek "derma") means skin. Found in dermatology (skin specialty), epidermis (outer skin
layer), and hypodermic (under the skin). Skin integrity is a core nursing assessment; precise
terminology supports accurate wound documentation.
6. What does the prefix "hyper-" indicate?
A. Below normal
B. Within normal
C. Above normal
D. Absence of
C. Above normal
"Hyper-" means excessive or above normal (e.g., hypertension = high blood pressure, hyperglycemia =
high blood sugar). Its opposite is "hypo-" (below normal). Recognizing these prefixes is critical for
interpreting lab results and medication orders.
7. The term "bilateral" means:
A. Affecting one side
B. Affecting both sides
C. Located in the middle
