HESI A2 Vocabulary & General Knowledge
2024/2025 – 100% Verified Answers with
Expert Word Explanations
Practice Questions for Nursing and Health Sciences Students
June 2025
, Introduction
This document provides 80 unique HESI A2 Vocabulary & General Knowledge prac-
tice questions for Versions 2024/2025, covering medical terminology, academic vocabu-
lary, and context clues. Each question includes four answer choices, the correct answer
marked, and detailed explanations of word meanings and usage to support nursing stu-
dents preparing for the HESI A2 exam. The content is formatted for professional PDF
export using LaTeX.
Medical Terminology (30 Questions)
1. What is the meaning of the term ”anterior”?
A) Toward the back
B) Toward the front (Correct)
C) Away from the midline
D) Below the surface
Rationale: ”Anterior” refers to the front of the body in anatomical position (e.g.,
the chest is anterior to the spine). ”Posterior” means toward the back, ”lateral” is
away from the midline, and ”superficial” is below the surface.
2. What does ”hypotension” indicate?
A) High blood pressure
B) Low blood pressure (Correct)
C) Normal heart rate
D) Elevated temperature
Rationale: ”Hypotension” (hypo = low, tension = pressure) means abnormally low
blood pressure. ”Hypertension” is high blood pressure, heart rate is unrelated, and
temperature is measured separately.
3. What is a ”hematoma”?
A) Blood clot under the skin (Correct)
B) Bone fracture
C) Muscle tear D) Nerve inflammation
Rationale: A ”hematoma” is a localized collection of blood outside vessels, often
under the skin (e.g., a bruise). Fractures affect bones, tears occur in muscles, and
inflammation of nerves is neuritis.
4. What does ”tachycardia” mean?
A) Slow heart rate
B) Rapid heart rate (Correct)
C) Irregular heartbeat
D) Heart failure
Rationale: ”Tachycardia” (tachy = fast, cardia = heart) indicates a rapid heart
rate (>100 bpm). ”Bradycardia” is a slow heart rate, arrhythmia is irregular, and
heart failure is a condition.
5. What is the meaning of ”dyspnea”?
A) Difficulty breathing (Correct)
B) Chest pain
C) Fever spikes D) Joint swelling
1
2024/2025 – 100% Verified Answers with
Expert Word Explanations
Practice Questions for Nursing and Health Sciences Students
June 2025
, Introduction
This document provides 80 unique HESI A2 Vocabulary & General Knowledge prac-
tice questions for Versions 2024/2025, covering medical terminology, academic vocabu-
lary, and context clues. Each question includes four answer choices, the correct answer
marked, and detailed explanations of word meanings and usage to support nursing stu-
dents preparing for the HESI A2 exam. The content is formatted for professional PDF
export using LaTeX.
Medical Terminology (30 Questions)
1. What is the meaning of the term ”anterior”?
A) Toward the back
B) Toward the front (Correct)
C) Away from the midline
D) Below the surface
Rationale: ”Anterior” refers to the front of the body in anatomical position (e.g.,
the chest is anterior to the spine). ”Posterior” means toward the back, ”lateral” is
away from the midline, and ”superficial” is below the surface.
2. What does ”hypotension” indicate?
A) High blood pressure
B) Low blood pressure (Correct)
C) Normal heart rate
D) Elevated temperature
Rationale: ”Hypotension” (hypo = low, tension = pressure) means abnormally low
blood pressure. ”Hypertension” is high blood pressure, heart rate is unrelated, and
temperature is measured separately.
3. What is a ”hematoma”?
A) Blood clot under the skin (Correct)
B) Bone fracture
C) Muscle tear D) Nerve inflammation
Rationale: A ”hematoma” is a localized collection of blood outside vessels, often
under the skin (e.g., a bruise). Fractures affect bones, tears occur in muscles, and
inflammation of nerves is neuritis.
4. What does ”tachycardia” mean?
A) Slow heart rate
B) Rapid heart rate (Correct)
C) Irregular heartbeat
D) Heart failure
Rationale: ”Tachycardia” (tachy = fast, cardia = heart) indicates a rapid heart
rate (>100 bpm). ”Bradycardia” is a slow heart rate, arrhythmia is irregular, and
heart failure is a condition.
5. What is the meaning of ”dyspnea”?
A) Difficulty breathing (Correct)
B) Chest pain
C) Fever spikes D) Joint swelling
1
