HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam 2025/2026
– Verified 100% Correct Answers &
English Rationales | Grade A+
Question 1
The patient's symptoms began to _____ after the medication was administered, meaning they
gradually lessened in intensity. A. Abate B. Abrade C. Accelerate D. Accumulate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Abate" means to reduce or decrease, often used in medical contexts to describe
diminishing symptoms (e.g., pain abatement post-treatment). Usage: Verb; contextual meaning:
Indicates improvement, contrasting with worsening conditions like escalation.
Question 2
The nurse used an _____ substance to clean the wound, which caused mild irritation to the skin.
A. Abrasive B. Abundant C. Abstract D. Accurate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Abrasive" refers to a rough, scraping material, commonly in healthcare for wound
debridement. Usage: Adjective/noun; contextual meaning: Implies friction or harshness, as in
abrasive therapies that remove dead tissue but risk skin damage.
Question 3
The doctor advised the patient to _____ from alcohol during recovery to avoid complications. A.
Abstain B. Absorb C. Abstract D. Accelerate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Abstain" means to voluntarily refrain from something, key in patient education for
lifestyle changes. Usage: Verb; contextual meaning: Promotes healing, e.g., abstaining from
substances to prevent drug interactions.
Question 4
The nurse is _____ for documenting all patient interactions accurately in the chart. A.
Accountable B. Accidental C. Adequate D. Adjacent
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Accountable" means responsible or answerable, central to nursing ethics and legal
standards. Usage: Adjective; contextual meaning: Ensures traceability in care, as in
accountability for medication errors.
Question 5
The _____ reaction to the allergen caused immediate swelling around the eyes. A. Acute B.
Ambiguous C. Ample D. Ancient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Acute" denotes sudden and severe, versus chronic (ongoing). Usage: Adjective;
contextual meaning: In medicine, signals urgent intervention, like acute asthma attacks.
Question 6
The medication had an _____ effect, leading to unexpected nausea as a side effect. A. Adverse
B. Adorable C. Adaptive D. Adequate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Adverse" means harmful or unfavorable, common in pharmacology reports. Usage:
Adjective; contextual meaning: Highlights risks, e.g., adverse drug reactions requiring
monitoring.
Question 7
The instructions were _____ , leaving the patient confused about dosage timing. A. Ambiguous
B. Ambitious C. Amicable D. Animated
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Ambiguous" means unclear or open to interpretation, problematic in healthcare
communication. Usage: Adjective; contextual meaning: Can lead to errors, so clarity is
prioritized in patient education.
Question 8
The donor's _____ gesture provided life-saving blood to the trauma patient. A. Benevolent B.
Belligerent C. Benign D. Bewildered
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: "Benevolent" means kind or charitable, often in contexts of altruism like organ
donation. Usage: Adjective; contextual meaning: Reflects positive intent, contrasting with self -
serving actions.
Question 9
The tumor was diagnosed as _____, requiring only routine monitoring rather than surgery. A.
Benign B. Bizarre C. Bitter D. Bland
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Benign" means non-cancerous or harmless, versus malignant (harmful). Usage:
Adjective; contextual meaning: In oncology, indicates low risk, guiding conservative treatment
plans.
Question 10
The therapist used gentle persuasion to _____ the patient into attending group sessions. A.
Coerce B. Coexist C. Collaborate D. Collect
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Coerce" means to compel unwillingly, ethically sensitive in mental health. Usage:
Verb; contextual meaning: Implies force, avoided in nursing to respect autonomy.
Question 11
The treatment plan was _____ , covering physical, emotional, and social aspects of care. A.
Comprehensive B. Competitive C. Compliant D. Concise
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Comprehensive" means thorough and inclusive, standard in holistic nursing
assessments. Usage: Adjective; contextual meaning: Ensures all factors are addressed, preventing
incomplete care.
Question 12
The team reached a _____ on the best course of action after discussion. A. Consensus B.
Consequence C. Contract D. Contrast
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Consensus" means general agreement, vital for interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Usage: Noun; contextual meaning: Promotes unified decisions, reducing conflicts in patient
management.
– Verified 100% Correct Answers &
English Rationales | Grade A+
Question 1
The patient's symptoms began to _____ after the medication was administered, meaning they
gradually lessened in intensity. A. Abate B. Abrade C. Accelerate D. Accumulate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Abate" means to reduce or decrease, often used in medical contexts to describe
diminishing symptoms (e.g., pain abatement post-treatment). Usage: Verb; contextual meaning:
Indicates improvement, contrasting with worsening conditions like escalation.
Question 2
The nurse used an _____ substance to clean the wound, which caused mild irritation to the skin.
A. Abrasive B. Abundant C. Abstract D. Accurate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Abrasive" refers to a rough, scraping material, commonly in healthcare for wound
debridement. Usage: Adjective/noun; contextual meaning: Implies friction or harshness, as in
abrasive therapies that remove dead tissue but risk skin damage.
Question 3
The doctor advised the patient to _____ from alcohol during recovery to avoid complications. A.
Abstain B. Absorb C. Abstract D. Accelerate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Abstain" means to voluntarily refrain from something, key in patient education for
lifestyle changes. Usage: Verb; contextual meaning: Promotes healing, e.g., abstaining from
substances to prevent drug interactions.
Question 4
The nurse is _____ for documenting all patient interactions accurately in the chart. A.
Accountable B. Accidental C. Adequate D. Adjacent
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Accountable" means responsible or answerable, central to nursing ethics and legal
standards. Usage: Adjective; contextual meaning: Ensures traceability in care, as in
accountability for medication errors.
Question 5
The _____ reaction to the allergen caused immediate swelling around the eyes. A. Acute B.
Ambiguous C. Ample D. Ancient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Acute" denotes sudden and severe, versus chronic (ongoing). Usage: Adjective;
contextual meaning: In medicine, signals urgent intervention, like acute asthma attacks.
Question 6
The medication had an _____ effect, leading to unexpected nausea as a side effect. A. Adverse
B. Adorable C. Adaptive D. Adequate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Adverse" means harmful or unfavorable, common in pharmacology reports. Usage:
Adjective; contextual meaning: Highlights risks, e.g., adverse drug reactions requiring
monitoring.
Question 7
The instructions were _____ , leaving the patient confused about dosage timing. A. Ambiguous
B. Ambitious C. Amicable D. Animated
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Ambiguous" means unclear or open to interpretation, problematic in healthcare
communication. Usage: Adjective; contextual meaning: Can lead to errors, so clarity is
prioritized in patient education.
Question 8
The donor's _____ gesture provided life-saving blood to the trauma patient. A. Benevolent B.
Belligerent C. Benign D. Bewildered
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: "Benevolent" means kind or charitable, often in contexts of altruism like organ
donation. Usage: Adjective; contextual meaning: Reflects positive intent, contrasting with self -
serving actions.
Question 9
The tumor was diagnosed as _____, requiring only routine monitoring rather than surgery. A.
Benign B. Bizarre C. Bitter D. Bland
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Benign" means non-cancerous or harmless, versus malignant (harmful). Usage:
Adjective; contextual meaning: In oncology, indicates low risk, guiding conservative treatment
plans.
Question 10
The therapist used gentle persuasion to _____ the patient into attending group sessions. A.
Coerce B. Coexist C. Collaborate D. Collect
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Coerce" means to compel unwillingly, ethically sensitive in mental health. Usage:
Verb; contextual meaning: Implies force, avoided in nursing to respect autonomy.
Question 11
The treatment plan was _____ , covering physical, emotional, and social aspects of care. A.
Comprehensive B. Competitive C. Compliant D. Concise
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Comprehensive" means thorough and inclusive, standard in holistic nursing
assessments. Usage: Adjective; contextual meaning: Ensures all factors are addressed, preventing
incomplete care.
Question 12
The team reached a _____ on the best course of action after discussion. A. Consensus B.
Consequence C. Contract D. Contrast
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Consensus" means general agreement, vital for interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Usage: Noun; contextual meaning: Promotes unified decisions, reducing conflicts in patient
management.