HESI A2 VOCABULARY EXAM: NURSING &
HEALTHCARE ADMISSIONS VERBAL
ASSESSMENT, (LATEST 2026/2027 UPDATE)
WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
HESI A2 VOCABULARY EXAM: NURSING &
HEALTHCARE ADMISSIONS VERBAL
ASSESSMENT
✔ All questions are multiple-choice
✔ All correct answers Marked Yellow
✔ Every correct answer includes a 3–5 sentence, in-depth nursing-focused
rationale
✔ Content aligns with HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam (2026/2027) standards
✔ Emphasis on medical terminology, prefixes, roots, suffixes, context clues,
and healthcare usage
HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam (2026/2027)
Nursing & Healthcare Admissions – Verbal Assessment
Questions 1–100
1. The prefix “brady-” means:
A. Fast
B. Slow
C. Pain
D. Against
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>B. Slow</b></span>
Rationale:
The prefix brady- originates from Greek and means slow. It is commonly used in
medical terms such as bradycardia (slow heart rate) and bradypnea (slow
breathing). Nurses must recognize this prefix to accurately interpret vital signs and
,recognize potentially life-threatening conditions. Confusing it with tachy- (fast) could
result in incorrect clinical judgments.
2. The word “subcutaneous” means:
A. Within the muscle
B. Beneath the skin
C. Above the skin
D. Inside the vein
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>B. Beneath the skin</b></span>
Rationale:
The term subcutaneous breaks down as sub- (under) + cutane (skin) + -
ous (pertaining to). It refers to the tissue layer just below the dermis. Many
medications such as insulin and heparin are administered via this route. Correctly
identifying injection routes is essential to prevent medication errors.
3. Which term means “inflammation of the stomach”?
A. Gastritis
B. Gastroenteritis
C. Gastrectomy
D. Gastric
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>A. Gastritis</b></span>
Rationale:
Gastritis is formed from gastr- (stomach) and -itis (inflammation). The suffix -
itis consistently indicates inflammation across medical terminology. Gastroenteritis
involves both the stomach and intestines, while gastrectomy refers to surgical
removal. Accurate suffix recognition improves diagnostic clarity and documentation
accuracy.
,4. The suffix “-ology” means:
A. Disease
B. Study of
C. Removal
D. Condition
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>B. Study of</b></span>
Rationale:
The suffix -ology comes from the Greek word logos, meaning study or science.
Examples include cardiology (study of the heart) and neurology (study of the
nervous system). Understanding this suffix helps nursing students quickly identify
medical specialties. This knowledge supports interdisciplinary communication and
academic success.
5. The root “derm” refers to:
A. Bone
B. Muscle
C. Skin
D. Nerve
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>C. Skin</b></span>
Rationale:
The root derm comes from the Greek derma, meaning skin. It appears in terms such
as dermatology, epidermis, and hypodermic. Skin assessment is a core nursing
responsibility, especially in wound care and infection prevention. Precise terminology
ensures accurate charting and communication.
, 6. What does the prefix “hyper-” indicate?
A. Below normal
B. Within normal
C. Above normal
D. Absence of
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>C. Above normal</b></span>
Rationale:
The prefix hyper- means excessive or above normal levels. Examples
include hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperglycemia (high blood
glucose). Its opposite is hypo-, which means below normal. Nurses must distinguish
these prefixes to correctly interpret lab values and medication orders.
7. The term “bilateral” means:
A. Affecting one side
B. Affecting both sides
C. Located in the middle
D. Affecting the lower body
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>B. Affecting both sides</b></span>
Rationale:
Bilateral combines bi- (two) and lateral (side). It describes conditions or structures
affecting both sides of the body, such as bilateral lung sounds. This distinction is
essential during physical assessments. Accurate directional terminology improves
diagnostic precision and documentation.
8. The prefix “tachy-” means:
A. Slow
B. Irregular
HEALTHCARE ADMISSIONS VERBAL
ASSESSMENT, (LATEST 2026/2027 UPDATE)
WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
HESI A2 VOCABULARY EXAM: NURSING &
HEALTHCARE ADMISSIONS VERBAL
ASSESSMENT
✔ All questions are multiple-choice
✔ All correct answers Marked Yellow
✔ Every correct answer includes a 3–5 sentence, in-depth nursing-focused
rationale
✔ Content aligns with HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam (2026/2027) standards
✔ Emphasis on medical terminology, prefixes, roots, suffixes, context clues,
and healthcare usage
HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam (2026/2027)
Nursing & Healthcare Admissions – Verbal Assessment
Questions 1–100
1. The prefix “brady-” means:
A. Fast
B. Slow
C. Pain
D. Against
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>B. Slow</b></span>
Rationale:
The prefix brady- originates from Greek and means slow. It is commonly used in
medical terms such as bradycardia (slow heart rate) and bradypnea (slow
breathing). Nurses must recognize this prefix to accurately interpret vital signs and
,recognize potentially life-threatening conditions. Confusing it with tachy- (fast) could
result in incorrect clinical judgments.
2. The word “subcutaneous” means:
A. Within the muscle
B. Beneath the skin
C. Above the skin
D. Inside the vein
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>B. Beneath the skin</b></span>
Rationale:
The term subcutaneous breaks down as sub- (under) + cutane (skin) + -
ous (pertaining to). It refers to the tissue layer just below the dermis. Many
medications such as insulin and heparin are administered via this route. Correctly
identifying injection routes is essential to prevent medication errors.
3. Which term means “inflammation of the stomach”?
A. Gastritis
B. Gastroenteritis
C. Gastrectomy
D. Gastric
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>A. Gastritis</b></span>
Rationale:
Gastritis is formed from gastr- (stomach) and -itis (inflammation). The suffix -
itis consistently indicates inflammation across medical terminology. Gastroenteritis
involves both the stomach and intestines, while gastrectomy refers to surgical
removal. Accurate suffix recognition improves diagnostic clarity and documentation
accuracy.
,4. The suffix “-ology” means:
A. Disease
B. Study of
C. Removal
D. Condition
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>B. Study of</b></span>
Rationale:
The suffix -ology comes from the Greek word logos, meaning study or science.
Examples include cardiology (study of the heart) and neurology (study of the
nervous system). Understanding this suffix helps nursing students quickly identify
medical specialties. This knowledge supports interdisciplinary communication and
academic success.
5. The root “derm” refers to:
A. Bone
B. Muscle
C. Skin
D. Nerve
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>C. Skin</b></span>
Rationale:
The root derm comes from the Greek derma, meaning skin. It appears in terms such
as dermatology, epidermis, and hypodermic. Skin assessment is a core nursing
responsibility, especially in wound care and infection prevention. Precise terminology
ensures accurate charting and communication.
, 6. What does the prefix “hyper-” indicate?
A. Below normal
B. Within normal
C. Above normal
D. Absence of
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>C. Above normal</b></span>
Rationale:
The prefix hyper- means excessive or above normal levels. Examples
include hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperglycemia (high blood
glucose). Its opposite is hypo-, which means below normal. Nurses must distinguish
these prefixes to correctly interpret lab values and medication orders.
7. The term “bilateral” means:
A. Affecting one side
B. Affecting both sides
C. Located in the middle
D. Affecting the lower body
✅ <span style="color:green"><b>B. Affecting both sides</b></span>
Rationale:
Bilateral combines bi- (two) and lateral (side). It describes conditions or structures
affecting both sides of the body, such as bilateral lung sounds. This distinction is
essential during physical assessments. Accurate directional terminology improves
diagnostic precision and documentation.
8. The prefix “tachy-” means:
A. Slow
B. Irregular
