HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam 2025 –
Actual Questions with Verified Correct
Answers and Expert Explanations
Question 1
Select the meaning of the word "abstain" in the sentence: "The patient was advised to abstain
from smoking."
Answer: To voluntarily refrain
Explanation: In the context of the sentence, "abstain" means to choose not to engage in an
activity, such as smoking. It implies a deliberate decision to avoid something, often for health or
ethical reasons.
Question 2
What is the meaning of the word "acute" in the sentence: "The patient experienced acute pain
after surgery"?
Answer: Sudden and intense
Explanation: "Acute" describes something that is sharp, severe, or sudden in onset, especially in
medical contexts like pain or illness. Here, it indicates the pain was intense and immediate.
Question 3
Choose the correct meaning of "adverse" in the sentence: "The medication caused adverse
effects."
Answer: Undesired or harmful
Explanation: "Adverse" refers to unfavorable or harmful outcomes, often used in medical
contexts to describe negative side effects of treatments or medications.
Question 4
What does "ambivalent" mean in the sentence: "The nurse was ambivalent about the new
protocol"?
Answer: Having mixed feelings
Explanation: "Ambivalent" describes uncertainty or having contradictory feelings about
something. In this sentence, the nurse feels both positive and negative emotions about the
protocol.
, Question 5
Select the meaning of "constrict" in the sentence: "The bandage was applied to constrict blood
flow."
Answer: To tighten or narrow
Explanation: "Constrict" means to make something smaller or tighter, often used in medical
contexts to describe restricting or compressing, such as blood vessels.
Question 6
What is the meaning of "contingent" in the sentence: "The surgery was contingent on test
results"?
Answer: Dependent
Explanation: "Contingent" means something relies on or is conditional upon another factor.
Here, the surgery depends on the test results.
Question 7
Choose the correct meaning of "deficit" in the sentence: "The patient had a fluid deficit after
dehydration."
Answer: A lack or shortage
Explanation: "Deficit" refers to a deficiency or insufficient amount of something, such as fluids
in a medical context.
Question 8
What does "dilate" mean in the sentence: "The patient’s pupils began to dilate during the exam"?
Answer: To enlarge or expand
Explanation: "Dilate" means to become larger or wider, often used in medical contexts for
pupils or blood vessels expanding.
Question 9
Select the meaning of "discrete" in the sentence: "The symptoms were treated as discrete issues."
Answer: Separate or distinct
Explanation: "Discrete" means individually distinct or separate. In this sentence, symptoms
were addressed as independent problems.
Actual Questions with Verified Correct
Answers and Expert Explanations
Question 1
Select the meaning of the word "abstain" in the sentence: "The patient was advised to abstain
from smoking."
Answer: To voluntarily refrain
Explanation: In the context of the sentence, "abstain" means to choose not to engage in an
activity, such as smoking. It implies a deliberate decision to avoid something, often for health or
ethical reasons.
Question 2
What is the meaning of the word "acute" in the sentence: "The patient experienced acute pain
after surgery"?
Answer: Sudden and intense
Explanation: "Acute" describes something that is sharp, severe, or sudden in onset, especially in
medical contexts like pain or illness. Here, it indicates the pain was intense and immediate.
Question 3
Choose the correct meaning of "adverse" in the sentence: "The medication caused adverse
effects."
Answer: Undesired or harmful
Explanation: "Adverse" refers to unfavorable or harmful outcomes, often used in medical
contexts to describe negative side effects of treatments or medications.
Question 4
What does "ambivalent" mean in the sentence: "The nurse was ambivalent about the new
protocol"?
Answer: Having mixed feelings
Explanation: "Ambivalent" describes uncertainty or having contradictory feelings about
something. In this sentence, the nurse feels both positive and negative emotions about the
protocol.
, Question 5
Select the meaning of "constrict" in the sentence: "The bandage was applied to constrict blood
flow."
Answer: To tighten or narrow
Explanation: "Constrict" means to make something smaller or tighter, often used in medical
contexts to describe restricting or compressing, such as blood vessels.
Question 6
What is the meaning of "contingent" in the sentence: "The surgery was contingent on test
results"?
Answer: Dependent
Explanation: "Contingent" means something relies on or is conditional upon another factor.
Here, the surgery depends on the test results.
Question 7
Choose the correct meaning of "deficit" in the sentence: "The patient had a fluid deficit after
dehydration."
Answer: A lack or shortage
Explanation: "Deficit" refers to a deficiency or insufficient amount of something, such as fluids
in a medical context.
Question 8
What does "dilate" mean in the sentence: "The patient’s pupils began to dilate during the exam"?
Answer: To enlarge or expand
Explanation: "Dilate" means to become larger or wider, often used in medical contexts for
pupils or blood vessels expanding.
Question 9
Select the meaning of "discrete" in the sentence: "The symptoms were treated as discrete issues."
Answer: Separate or distinct
Explanation: "Discrete" means individually distinct or separate. In this sentence, symptoms
were addressed as independent problems.
