HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam 2025 –
Verified Questions with Correct
Answers and Expert Rationales
Question 1
The nurse described the patient’s wound as suppurative. What does this term mean? A. Healing
rapidly B. Producing pus C. Dry and scabbed D. Painless
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Suppurative refers to a wound or condition producing pus,
indicating infection. Healing (A), dry and scabbed (C), and painless (D) do not describe pus
production.
Question 2
The physician noted tinnitus in the patient’s chart. What does this term describe? A. Vision
impairment B. Ringing in the ears C. Difficulty swallowing D. Muscle weakness
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Tinnitus is the perception of ringing or noise in the ears, often
related to hearing loss or ear conditions. Vision impairment (A), swallowing difficulty (C), and
muscle weakness (D) are unrelated.
Question 3
The patient was advised to take a decongestant. What is the purpose of this medication? A.
Relieve pain B. Reduce nasal congestion C. Lower blood sugar D. Prevent seizures
Correct Answer: B Rationale: A decongestant reduces nasal congestion by constricting blood
vessels in the nasal passages. Relieving pain (A), lowering blood sugar (C), and preventing
seizures (D) are functions of other medications.
Question 4
,The nurse observed nystagmus during the patient’s assessment. What does this term indicate? A.
Involuntary eye movements B. Facial drooping C. Muscle spasms D. Skin rash
Correct Answer: A Rationale: Nystagmus refers to involuntary, rapid eye movements, often
due to neurological or vestibular issues. Facial drooping (B), muscle spasms (C), and skin rash
(D) are distinct symptoms.
Question 5
The patient’s condition was described as paroxysmal. What does this mean? A. Continuous and
stable B. Sudden and episodic C. Mild and chronic D. Easily treatable
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Paroxysmal describes sudden, episodic attacks or symptoms,
such as in seizures or asthma. Continuous (A), chronic (C), and treatable (D) do not convey the
episodic nature.
Question 6
The physician prescribed an emetic. What is the purpose of this medication? A. Induce vomiting
B. Prevent vomiting C. Reduce fever D. Promote sleep
Correct Answer: A Rationale: An emetic induces vomiting, often used in cases of poisoning.
Preventing vomiting (B) is for antiemetics, reducing fever (C) is for antipyretics, and promoting
sleep (D) is for sedatives.
Question 7
The nurse noted alopecia on the patient’s scalp. What does this term describe? A. Excessive hair
growth B. Hair loss C. Scalp redness D. Dry skin
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Alopecia refers to hair loss, either partial or complete, due to
various causes. Excessive hair growth (A), redness (C), and dry skin (D) are unrelated
conditions.
Question 8
, The patient was diagnosed with glycosuria. What does this term indicate? A. Blood in urine B.
Sugar in urine C. Protein in urine D. Bacteria in urine
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Glycosuria is the presence of sugar in the urine, often associated
with diabetes. Blood (A) is hematuria, protein (C) is proteinuria, and bacteria (D) is bacteriuria.
Question 9
The doctor described the condition as intractable. What does this mean? A. Easily managed B.
Resistant to treatment C. Temporary and mild D. Caused by infection
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Intractable means resistant to treatment, indicating a difficult-to-
manage condition. Easily managed (A), temporary (C), and infection-related (D) are not implied.
Question 10
The nurse documented rhonchi during lung auscultation. What does this term describe? A.
High-pitched wheezing B. Low-pitched snoring sounds C. Crackling sounds D. Absent breath
sounds
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Rhonchi are low-pitched, snoring-like sounds in the lungs, often
due to mucus or obstruction. Wheezing (A) is high-pitched, crackling (C) is rales, and absent
sounds (D) indicate no airflow.
Question 11
The patient was prescribed a mucolytic. What is the purpose of this medication? A. Thins mucus
secretions B. Reduces inflammation C. Relieves pain D. Lowers blood pressure
Correct Answer: A Rationale: A mucolytic thins mucus secretions, aiding clearance in
respiratory conditions. Reducing inflammation (B), relieving pain (C), and lowering blood
pressure (D) are functions of other drugs.
Question 12
Verified Questions with Correct
Answers and Expert Rationales
Question 1
The nurse described the patient’s wound as suppurative. What does this term mean? A. Healing
rapidly B. Producing pus C. Dry and scabbed D. Painless
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Suppurative refers to a wound or condition producing pus,
indicating infection. Healing (A), dry and scabbed (C), and painless (D) do not describe pus
production.
Question 2
The physician noted tinnitus in the patient’s chart. What does this term describe? A. Vision
impairment B. Ringing in the ears C. Difficulty swallowing D. Muscle weakness
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Tinnitus is the perception of ringing or noise in the ears, often
related to hearing loss or ear conditions. Vision impairment (A), swallowing difficulty (C), and
muscle weakness (D) are unrelated.
Question 3
The patient was advised to take a decongestant. What is the purpose of this medication? A.
Relieve pain B. Reduce nasal congestion C. Lower blood sugar D. Prevent seizures
Correct Answer: B Rationale: A decongestant reduces nasal congestion by constricting blood
vessels in the nasal passages. Relieving pain (A), lowering blood sugar (C), and preventing
seizures (D) are functions of other medications.
Question 4
,The nurse observed nystagmus during the patient’s assessment. What does this term indicate? A.
Involuntary eye movements B. Facial drooping C. Muscle spasms D. Skin rash
Correct Answer: A Rationale: Nystagmus refers to involuntary, rapid eye movements, often
due to neurological or vestibular issues. Facial drooping (B), muscle spasms (C), and skin rash
(D) are distinct symptoms.
Question 5
The patient’s condition was described as paroxysmal. What does this mean? A. Continuous and
stable B. Sudden and episodic C. Mild and chronic D. Easily treatable
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Paroxysmal describes sudden, episodic attacks or symptoms,
such as in seizures or asthma. Continuous (A), chronic (C), and treatable (D) do not convey the
episodic nature.
Question 6
The physician prescribed an emetic. What is the purpose of this medication? A. Induce vomiting
B. Prevent vomiting C. Reduce fever D. Promote sleep
Correct Answer: A Rationale: An emetic induces vomiting, often used in cases of poisoning.
Preventing vomiting (B) is for antiemetics, reducing fever (C) is for antipyretics, and promoting
sleep (D) is for sedatives.
Question 7
The nurse noted alopecia on the patient’s scalp. What does this term describe? A. Excessive hair
growth B. Hair loss C. Scalp redness D. Dry skin
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Alopecia refers to hair loss, either partial or complete, due to
various causes. Excessive hair growth (A), redness (C), and dry skin (D) are unrelated
conditions.
Question 8
, The patient was diagnosed with glycosuria. What does this term indicate? A. Blood in urine B.
Sugar in urine C. Protein in urine D. Bacteria in urine
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Glycosuria is the presence of sugar in the urine, often associated
with diabetes. Blood (A) is hematuria, protein (C) is proteinuria, and bacteria (D) is bacteriuria.
Question 9
The doctor described the condition as intractable. What does this mean? A. Easily managed B.
Resistant to treatment C. Temporary and mild D. Caused by infection
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Intractable means resistant to treatment, indicating a difficult-to-
manage condition. Easily managed (A), temporary (C), and infection-related (D) are not implied.
Question 10
The nurse documented rhonchi during lung auscultation. What does this term describe? A.
High-pitched wheezing B. Low-pitched snoring sounds C. Crackling sounds D. Absent breath
sounds
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Rhonchi are low-pitched, snoring-like sounds in the lungs, often
due to mucus or obstruction. Wheezing (A) is high-pitched, crackling (C) is rales, and absent
sounds (D) indicate no airflow.
Question 11
The patient was prescribed a mucolytic. What is the purpose of this medication? A. Thins mucus
secretions B. Reduces inflammation C. Relieves pain D. Lowers blood pressure
Correct Answer: A Rationale: A mucolytic thins mucus secretions, aiding clearance in
respiratory conditions. Reducing inflammation (B), relieving pain (C), and lowering blood
pressure (D) are functions of other drugs.
Question 12
