HESI A2 Vocabulary Exam 2025/2026
– Verified Questions & 100% Correct
Answers | Updated Version
Section 1: Basic Medical and Scientific Terms (Questions 1-
10)
1. The patient presented with an abrasion on his knee after the fall. What does "abrasion"
most nearly mean? A. A deep cut requiring stitches B. A scrape or superficial injury C. A
fracture of the bone D. An infection from dirt
B. A scrape or superficial injury
Rationale: "Abrasion" refers to the removal of the top layer of skin by friction, often a minor
wound like a scrape. In nursing, it's used to describe superficial skin trauma, distinguishing it
from lacerations (cuts) or contusions (bruises) for wound care assessment.
2. The doctor advised the patient to abstain from alcohol during treatment. "Abstain"
means: A. To consume in moderation B. To completely avoid C. To increase intake D.
To share with others
B. To completely avoid
Rationale: "Abstain" means to refrain voluntarily from something, such as alcohol in medical
contexts to prevent interactions with drugs like antibiotics. Usage emphasizes patient compliance
for safety.
3. The nurse is accountable for documenting vital signs accurately. "Accountable" is best
defined as: A. Capable of error B. Responsible and answerable C. Uninterested in details
D. Shared with the team
B. Responsible and answerable
Rationale: "Accountable" implies duty and liability for actions, key in nursing ethics (e.g., ANA
Code) for documentation to ensure legal and quality care.
4. The wound dressing must adhere to the skin to prevent infection. "Adhere" means: A. To
peel away easily B. To stick firmly C. To dissolve D. To bleed
B. To stick firmly
,Rationale: "Adhere" means to attach or bond, used in medical supplies like adhesive bandages
to maintain integrity and promote healing.
5. The patient was advised to ingest the medication with food. "Ingest" most nearly means:
A. To apply topically B. To take into the body orally C. To inject D. To exhale
B. To take into the body orally
Rationale: "Ingest" specifically means swallowing or eating, common in pharmacology
instructions to reduce GI upset from oral meds.
6. The side effect was adverse, causing nausea. "Adverse" means: A. Beneficial and helpful
B. Unfavorable or harmful C. Neutral and expected D. Temporary and mild
B. Unfavorable or harmful
Rationale: "Adverse" describes negative reactions in medicine (e.g., adverse events in trials),
guiding monitoring and reporting per FDA standards.
7. The symptoms were discrete, appearing separately. "Discrete" means: A. Connected and
continuous B. Distinct and separate C. Severe and linked D. Mild and grouped
B. Distinct and separate
Rationale: "Discrete" indicates individual, isolated occurrences, useful in diagnostics to
differentiate conditions like discrete vs. confluent rashes.
8. The fever began to abate after the antipyretic. "Abate" means: A. To increase rapidly B.
To decrease or subside C. To remain constant D. To recur suddenly
B. To decrease or subside
Rationale: "Abate" means to lessen in intensity, often used for symptoms like pain or fever in
progress notes.
9. The rash was bilateral, affecting both sides. "Bilateral" means: A. On one side only B.
Affecting both sides C. Internal only D. Superficial
B. Affecting both sides
Rationale: "Bilateral" denotes symmetry (e.g., bilateral pneumonia), aiding in differential
diagnosis like vs. unilateral (e.g., stroke).
10. The therapy had an affect on the patient's mood. "Affect" here means: A. A hidden
emotion B. An observable emotional expression C. A long-term feeling D. A physical
symptom
, B. An observable emotional expression
Rationale: In psychology/nursing, "affect" is externalized emotion (e.g., flat affect in
depression), vs. "effect" (result).
Section 2: Everyday and Abstract Terms (Questions 11-20)
11. The speaker's words were ambiguous, causing confusion. "Ambiguous" means: A. Clear
and direct B. Open to multiple interpretations C. Repetitive D. Emotional
B. Open to multiple interpretations
Rationale: "Ambiguous" implies vagueness, relevant in patient education to ensure clear
communication and compliance.
12. The team showed cohesion during the crisis. "Cohesion" means: A. Division B. Unity or
sticking together C. Competition D. Isolation
B. Unity or sticking together
Rationale: "Cohesion" describes group solidarity, key in interdisciplinary teams for patient care
coordination.
13. The diagnosis was conclusive, based on tests. "Conclusive" means: A. Doubtful B.
Decisive and final C. Preliminary D. Speculative
B. Decisive and final
Rationale: "Conclusive" indicates certainty (e.g., conclusive biopsy), guiding treatment
decisions.
14. The nurse used discretion in sharing information. "Discretion" means: A. Carelessness
B. Careful judgment or prudence C. Openness D. Speed
B. Careful judgment or prudence
Rationale: "Discretion" involves tact, essential in HIPAA compliance for PHI handling.
15. The patient's recovery was expedited by early intervention. "Expedited" means: A.
Delayed B. Speeded up C. Complicated D. Reversed
B. Speeded up
Rationale: "Expedited" means hastened, used in care plans for timely discharges.
– Verified Questions & 100% Correct
Answers | Updated Version
Section 1: Basic Medical and Scientific Terms (Questions 1-
10)
1. The patient presented with an abrasion on his knee after the fall. What does "abrasion"
most nearly mean? A. A deep cut requiring stitches B. A scrape or superficial injury C. A
fracture of the bone D. An infection from dirt
B. A scrape or superficial injury
Rationale: "Abrasion" refers to the removal of the top layer of skin by friction, often a minor
wound like a scrape. In nursing, it's used to describe superficial skin trauma, distinguishing it
from lacerations (cuts) or contusions (bruises) for wound care assessment.
2. The doctor advised the patient to abstain from alcohol during treatment. "Abstain"
means: A. To consume in moderation B. To completely avoid C. To increase intake D.
To share with others
B. To completely avoid
Rationale: "Abstain" means to refrain voluntarily from something, such as alcohol in medical
contexts to prevent interactions with drugs like antibiotics. Usage emphasizes patient compliance
for safety.
3. The nurse is accountable for documenting vital signs accurately. "Accountable" is best
defined as: A. Capable of error B. Responsible and answerable C. Uninterested in details
D. Shared with the team
B. Responsible and answerable
Rationale: "Accountable" implies duty and liability for actions, key in nursing ethics (e.g., ANA
Code) for documentation to ensure legal and quality care.
4. The wound dressing must adhere to the skin to prevent infection. "Adhere" means: A. To
peel away easily B. To stick firmly C. To dissolve D. To bleed
B. To stick firmly
,Rationale: "Adhere" means to attach or bond, used in medical supplies like adhesive bandages
to maintain integrity and promote healing.
5. The patient was advised to ingest the medication with food. "Ingest" most nearly means:
A. To apply topically B. To take into the body orally C. To inject D. To exhale
B. To take into the body orally
Rationale: "Ingest" specifically means swallowing or eating, common in pharmacology
instructions to reduce GI upset from oral meds.
6. The side effect was adverse, causing nausea. "Adverse" means: A. Beneficial and helpful
B. Unfavorable or harmful C. Neutral and expected D. Temporary and mild
B. Unfavorable or harmful
Rationale: "Adverse" describes negative reactions in medicine (e.g., adverse events in trials),
guiding monitoring and reporting per FDA standards.
7. The symptoms were discrete, appearing separately. "Discrete" means: A. Connected and
continuous B. Distinct and separate C. Severe and linked D. Mild and grouped
B. Distinct and separate
Rationale: "Discrete" indicates individual, isolated occurrences, useful in diagnostics to
differentiate conditions like discrete vs. confluent rashes.
8. The fever began to abate after the antipyretic. "Abate" means: A. To increase rapidly B.
To decrease or subside C. To remain constant D. To recur suddenly
B. To decrease or subside
Rationale: "Abate" means to lessen in intensity, often used for symptoms like pain or fever in
progress notes.
9. The rash was bilateral, affecting both sides. "Bilateral" means: A. On one side only B.
Affecting both sides C. Internal only D. Superficial
B. Affecting both sides
Rationale: "Bilateral" denotes symmetry (e.g., bilateral pneumonia), aiding in differential
diagnosis like vs. unilateral (e.g., stroke).
10. The therapy had an affect on the patient's mood. "Affect" here means: A. A hidden
emotion B. An observable emotional expression C. A long-term feeling D. A physical
symptom
, B. An observable emotional expression
Rationale: In psychology/nursing, "affect" is externalized emotion (e.g., flat affect in
depression), vs. "effect" (result).
Section 2: Everyday and Abstract Terms (Questions 11-20)
11. The speaker's words were ambiguous, causing confusion. "Ambiguous" means: A. Clear
and direct B. Open to multiple interpretations C. Repetitive D. Emotional
B. Open to multiple interpretations
Rationale: "Ambiguous" implies vagueness, relevant in patient education to ensure clear
communication and compliance.
12. The team showed cohesion during the crisis. "Cohesion" means: A. Division B. Unity or
sticking together C. Competition D. Isolation
B. Unity or sticking together
Rationale: "Cohesion" describes group solidarity, key in interdisciplinary teams for patient care
coordination.
13. The diagnosis was conclusive, based on tests. "Conclusive" means: A. Doubtful B.
Decisive and final C. Preliminary D. Speculative
B. Decisive and final
Rationale: "Conclusive" indicates certainty (e.g., conclusive biopsy), guiding treatment
decisions.
14. The nurse used discretion in sharing information. "Discretion" means: A. Carelessness
B. Careful judgment or prudence C. Openness D. Speed
B. Careful judgment or prudence
Rationale: "Discretion" involves tact, essential in HIPAA compliance for PHI handling.
15. The patient's recovery was expedited by early intervention. "Expedited" means: A.
Delayed B. Speeded up C. Complicated D. Reversed
B. Speeded up
Rationale: "Expedited" means hastened, used in care plans for timely discharges.
