HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam 2026 | Practice
Questions, Definitions & Verified Answers |
Nursing Entrance Prep
SECTION 1: WORD MEANINGS (Questions 1–20)
1. The patient's condition remained stable overnight. What does "stable" mean?
• A. Rapidly changing
• B. Unchanging or steady
• C. Deteriorating
• D. Improving quickly
Rationale: In medical terminology, "stable" means the patient's condition is unchanged and not
fluctuating — neither improving nor deteriorating rapidly.
2. The nurse noted a copious amount of drainage from the surgical wound. What does
"copious" mean?
• A. Small
• B. Clear
• C. Abundant or large quantity
• D. Foul-smelling
Rationale: "Copious" means plentiful or abundant. Copious drainage requires frequent dressing
changes.
,3. The medication is administered prophylactically before surgery. What does
"prophylactically" mean?
• A. After symptoms appear
• B. In an emergency
• C. To prevent disease
• D. To treat existing infection
Rationale: "Prophylactic" means preventive. Prophylactic antibiotics are given before surgery to
prevent infection.
4. The patient's lab values showed a transient elevation in blood glucose. What does
"transient" mean?
• A. Permanent
• B. Temporary
• C. Severe
• D. Mild
Rationale: "Transient" means passing quickly or temporary. A transient elevation resolves on its
own without intervention.
5. The physician ordered a potent analgesic for post-operative pain. What does "potent"
mean?
• A. Weak
• B. Strong or powerful
• C. Mild
• D. Slow-acting
Rationale: "Potent" means powerful or strong in effect. Potent analgesics (e.g., morphine)
require careful dosing.
,6. The tumor was determined to be benign after biopsy. What does "benign" mean?
• A. Cancerous
• B. Non-cancerous
• C. Aggressive
• D. Metastatic
Rationale: "Benign" means not malignant or cancerous. Benign tumors do not spread to distant
sites.
7. The patient exhibited atypical symptoms of myocardial infarction. What does "atypical"
mean?
• A. Common
• B. Expected
• C. Not typical or unusual
• D. Severe
Rationale: "Atypical" means not typical or unusual. Atypical MI symptoms include jaw pain,
fatigue, or nausea (especially in women).
8. The medication caused an adverse reaction requiring discontinuation. What does "adverse"
mean?
• A. Beneficial
• B. Harmful or unfavorable
• C. Minor
• D. Expected
Rationale: "Adverse" means harmful, unfavorable, or contrary to desired effect. Adverse drug
reactions must be reported.
9. The nurse provided holistic care addressing the patient's emotional and spiritual needs.
What does "holistic" mean?
, • A. Physical only
• B. Treating the whole person—mind, body, spirit
• C. Medication-focused
• D. Symptom-only
Rationale: "Holistic" care addresses all aspects of a person: physical, emotional, social, and
spiritual well-being.
10. The patient was ambulatory after physical therapy. What does "ambulatory" mean?
• A. Bedridden
• B. Able to walk
• C. Wheelchair-bound
• D. Sedated
Rationale: "Ambulatory" means able to walk. An ambulatory patient does not require
assistance to move.
11. The surgeon provided a prognosis to the family. What does "prognosis" mean?
• A. Diagnosis
• B. Predicted outcome of disease
• C. Treatment plan
• D. Medication list
Rationale: "Prognosis" is the expected course and outcome of a disease. It differs from
diagnosis (identification of disease).
12. The wound showed signs of purulent drainage. What does "purulent" mean?
• A. Clear fluid
• B. Bloody
• C. Containing pus
Questions, Definitions & Verified Answers |
Nursing Entrance Prep
SECTION 1: WORD MEANINGS (Questions 1–20)
1. The patient's condition remained stable overnight. What does "stable" mean?
• A. Rapidly changing
• B. Unchanging or steady
• C. Deteriorating
• D. Improving quickly
Rationale: In medical terminology, "stable" means the patient's condition is unchanged and not
fluctuating — neither improving nor deteriorating rapidly.
2. The nurse noted a copious amount of drainage from the surgical wound. What does
"copious" mean?
• A. Small
• B. Clear
• C. Abundant or large quantity
• D. Foul-smelling
Rationale: "Copious" means plentiful or abundant. Copious drainage requires frequent dressing
changes.
,3. The medication is administered prophylactically before surgery. What does
"prophylactically" mean?
• A. After symptoms appear
• B. In an emergency
• C. To prevent disease
• D. To treat existing infection
Rationale: "Prophylactic" means preventive. Prophylactic antibiotics are given before surgery to
prevent infection.
4. The patient's lab values showed a transient elevation in blood glucose. What does
"transient" mean?
• A. Permanent
• B. Temporary
• C. Severe
• D. Mild
Rationale: "Transient" means passing quickly or temporary. A transient elevation resolves on its
own without intervention.
5. The physician ordered a potent analgesic for post-operative pain. What does "potent"
mean?
• A. Weak
• B. Strong or powerful
• C. Mild
• D. Slow-acting
Rationale: "Potent" means powerful or strong in effect. Potent analgesics (e.g., morphine)
require careful dosing.
,6. The tumor was determined to be benign after biopsy. What does "benign" mean?
• A. Cancerous
• B. Non-cancerous
• C. Aggressive
• D. Metastatic
Rationale: "Benign" means not malignant or cancerous. Benign tumors do not spread to distant
sites.
7. The patient exhibited atypical symptoms of myocardial infarction. What does "atypical"
mean?
• A. Common
• B. Expected
• C. Not typical or unusual
• D. Severe
Rationale: "Atypical" means not typical or unusual. Atypical MI symptoms include jaw pain,
fatigue, or nausea (especially in women).
8. The medication caused an adverse reaction requiring discontinuation. What does "adverse"
mean?
• A. Beneficial
• B. Harmful or unfavorable
• C. Minor
• D. Expected
Rationale: "Adverse" means harmful, unfavorable, or contrary to desired effect. Adverse drug
reactions must be reported.
9. The nurse provided holistic care addressing the patient's emotional and spiritual needs.
What does "holistic" mean?
, • A. Physical only
• B. Treating the whole person—mind, body, spirit
• C. Medication-focused
• D. Symptom-only
Rationale: "Holistic" care addresses all aspects of a person: physical, emotional, social, and
spiritual well-being.
10. The patient was ambulatory after physical therapy. What does "ambulatory" mean?
• A. Bedridden
• B. Able to walk
• C. Wheelchair-bound
• D. Sedated
Rationale: "Ambulatory" means able to walk. An ambulatory patient does not require
assistance to move.
11. The surgeon provided a prognosis to the family. What does "prognosis" mean?
• A. Diagnosis
• B. Predicted outcome of disease
• C. Treatment plan
• D. Medication list
Rationale: "Prognosis" is the expected course and outcome of a disease. It differs from
diagnosis (identification of disease).
12. The wound showed signs of purulent drainage. What does "purulent" mean?
• A. Clear fluid
• B. Bloody
• C. Containing pus
