1
HESI A2 General Knowledge 2025 | 200
Exam Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Foundations of Healthcare Terminology and Communication.......2
Subtopic 2: Health Science Concepts in Anatomy, Physiology & Body Systems
.........................................................................................................................9
Subtopic 3: Healthcare Math & Measurement Concepts................................16
Subtopic 4: Nutrition, Wellness, and Lifestyle in Health Professions..............24
Subtopic 5: Medical Ethics, Legal Responsibilities, and Patient Rights..........31
Subtopic 6: Ethical and Legal Foundations in Health Care.............................39
Subtopic 7: History and Impact of Medicine and Healthcare Innovations......47
Subtopic 8: History and Contributions to Medical Science.............................56
Subtopic 9: Contemporary Health Issues and Public Health Awareness........65
Subtopic 10: Scientific Developments and Global Health Trends...................74
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Subtopic 1: Foundations of Healthcare
Terminology and Communication
Question 1:
What is the term for a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or
characterize a disease?
A. Diagnosis
B. Syndrome
C. Prognosis
D. Etiology
Correct Answer: B. Syndrome
Rationale: A syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that occur
together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition, often
without a known cause.
Question 2:
Which of the following prefixes means "fast" or "rapid"?
A. Brady-
B. Dys-
C. Tachy-
D. Hypo-
Correct Answer: C. Tachy-
Rationale: “Tachy-” is a prefix meaning fast or rapid, as seen in terms like
tachycardia (rapid heart rate).
Question 3:
In healthcare communication, SBAR stands for:
A. Situation, Background, Action, Report
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B. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
C. Symptom, Body, Analysis, Report
D. Status, Balance, Assessment, Risk
Correct Answer: B. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
Rationale: SBAR is a standardized communication tool used to ensure
effective communication among healthcare providers.
Question 4:
Which term best describes the science of the cause and origin of diseases?
A. Pathology
B. Etiology
C. Diagnosis
D. Epidemiology
Correct Answer: B. Etiology
Rationale: Etiology is the study of the cause of disease, while pathology
focuses on disease processes and diagnosis.
Question 5:
A patient with dyspnea is experiencing:
A. Dizziness
B. Difficulty breathing
C. Loss of consciousness
D. Irregular heartbeat
Correct Answer: B. Difficulty breathing
Rationale: Dyspnea refers to labored or difficult breathing, often reported as
"shortness of breath."
Question 6:
, 4
Which of the following terms means "inflammation of the liver"?
A. Hepatoma
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Hepatitis
D. Hepatocyte
Correct Answer: C. Hepatitis
Rationale: The suffix “-itis” means inflammation. Hepatitis = inflammation of
the liver.
Question 7:
Which abbreviation is commonly used to denote “as needed” in medication
orders?
A. BID
B. QID
C. PRN
D. TID
Correct Answer: C. PRN
Rationale: PRN stands for “pro re nata” in Latin, meaning "as needed."
Question 8:
Which of the following best defines the term “antipyretic”?
A. Substance that causes fever
B. Substance that reduces fever
C. Substance that increases metabolism
D. Substance that fights bacteria
Correct Answer: B. Substance that reduces fever
Rationale: “Anti-” means against and “-pyretic” relates to fever, so an
antipyretic reduces fever.
HESI A2 General Knowledge 2025 | 200
Exam Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Foundations of Healthcare Terminology and Communication.......2
Subtopic 2: Health Science Concepts in Anatomy, Physiology & Body Systems
.........................................................................................................................9
Subtopic 3: Healthcare Math & Measurement Concepts................................16
Subtopic 4: Nutrition, Wellness, and Lifestyle in Health Professions..............24
Subtopic 5: Medical Ethics, Legal Responsibilities, and Patient Rights..........31
Subtopic 6: Ethical and Legal Foundations in Health Care.............................39
Subtopic 7: History and Impact of Medicine and Healthcare Innovations......47
Subtopic 8: History and Contributions to Medical Science.............................56
Subtopic 9: Contemporary Health Issues and Public Health Awareness........65
Subtopic 10: Scientific Developments and Global Health Trends...................74
, 2
Subtopic 1: Foundations of Healthcare
Terminology and Communication
Question 1:
What is the term for a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or
characterize a disease?
A. Diagnosis
B. Syndrome
C. Prognosis
D. Etiology
Correct Answer: B. Syndrome
Rationale: A syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that occur
together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition, often
without a known cause.
Question 2:
Which of the following prefixes means "fast" or "rapid"?
A. Brady-
B. Dys-
C. Tachy-
D. Hypo-
Correct Answer: C. Tachy-
Rationale: “Tachy-” is a prefix meaning fast or rapid, as seen in terms like
tachycardia (rapid heart rate).
Question 3:
In healthcare communication, SBAR stands for:
A. Situation, Background, Action, Report
, 3
B. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
C. Symptom, Body, Analysis, Report
D. Status, Balance, Assessment, Risk
Correct Answer: B. Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
Rationale: SBAR is a standardized communication tool used to ensure
effective communication among healthcare providers.
Question 4:
Which term best describes the science of the cause and origin of diseases?
A. Pathology
B. Etiology
C. Diagnosis
D. Epidemiology
Correct Answer: B. Etiology
Rationale: Etiology is the study of the cause of disease, while pathology
focuses on disease processes and diagnosis.
Question 5:
A patient with dyspnea is experiencing:
A. Dizziness
B. Difficulty breathing
C. Loss of consciousness
D. Irregular heartbeat
Correct Answer: B. Difficulty breathing
Rationale: Dyspnea refers to labored or difficult breathing, often reported as
"shortness of breath."
Question 6:
, 4
Which of the following terms means "inflammation of the liver"?
A. Hepatoma
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Hepatitis
D. Hepatocyte
Correct Answer: C. Hepatitis
Rationale: The suffix “-itis” means inflammation. Hepatitis = inflammation of
the liver.
Question 7:
Which abbreviation is commonly used to denote “as needed” in medication
orders?
A. BID
B. QID
C. PRN
D. TID
Correct Answer: C. PRN
Rationale: PRN stands for “pro re nata” in Latin, meaning "as needed."
Question 8:
Which of the following best defines the term “antipyretic”?
A. Substance that causes fever
B. Substance that reduces fever
C. Substance that increases metabolism
D. Substance that fights bacteria
Correct Answer: B. Substance that reduces fever
Rationale: “Anti-” means against and “-pyretic” relates to fever, so an
antipyretic reduces fever.
