HESI A2 — All Questions

The biopsy showed that the growth was benign. Which word best replaces 'benign'?

• a.Cancerous
• b.Contagious
• c.Painful
• d.Harmless✓

In medicine, benign describes a growth or condition that is not dangerous and does not spread. It is the opposite of malignant, which refers to cancerous tissue.

The patient appeared lethargic during the assessment. Which word best replaces 'lethargic'?

• a.Talkative
• b.Agitated
• c.Drowsy✓
• d.Energetic

Lethargic means lacking energy and appearing sluggish or drowsy. A lethargic patient moves and responds slowly.

She was treated for a chronic condition. Which word best replaces 'chronic'?

• a.Transient
• b.Reversible
• c.Localized
• d.Persistent✓

Chronic describes a condition that lasts a long time or recurs frequently. It contrasts with acute, which means sudden and short-lived.

He was admitted with an acute illness. Which word best replaces 'acute'?

• a.Painless
• b.Sudden✓
• c.Imagined
• d.Lingering

An acute illness comes on suddenly and is often severe but short in duration. This is the opposite of a chronic condition.

The nurse will palpate the abdomen. Which word best replaces 'palpate'?

• a.Photograph
• b.Feel✓
• c.Remove
• d.Numb

Palpate means to examine part of the body by feeling it with the hands or fingers. Nurses palpate to assess texture, size, or tenderness.

The chart noted edema in both ankles. Which word best replaces 'edema'?

• a.Fever
• b.Fracture
• c.Rash
• d.Swelling✓

Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in body tissues. It often appears in the legs, ankles, or feet.

The illness is highly contagious. Which word best replaces 'contagious'?

• a.Harmless
• b.Infectious✓
• c.Incurable
• d.Chronic

Contagious means an illness can be spread from one person to another, often by contact. Many infections caused by viruses are contagious.

In dim light the pupils dilate. Which word best replaces 'dilate'?

• a.Widen✓
• b.Shatter
• c.Close
• d.Harden

Dilate means to become wider or larger. For example, pupils dilate in dim light to let in more light.

Surgery requires a sterile field. Which word best replaces 'sterile'?

• a.Frozen
• b.Crowded
• c.Contaminated
• d.Germ-free✓

Sterile means completely free from living microorganisms such as bacteria. Sterile conditions are essential during surgery to prevent infection.

Patients must abstain from food before the test. Which word best replaces 'abstain'?

• a.Refrain✓
• b.Demand
• c.Depend
• d.Enjoy

To abstain is to choose not to do or consume something. For example, a patient may abstain from food before a blood test.

The surgeon closed the incision. Which word best replaces 'incision'?

• a.Cut✓
• b.Medication
• c.Bandage
• d.Organ

An incision is a cut made into body tissue, usually during surgery. Surgeons make an incision to reach the area they need to treat.

The medication may cause nausea. Which word best replaces 'nausea'?

• a.Lightheadedness
• b.Soreness
• c.Queasiness✓
• d.Rash

Nausea is the uncomfortable sensation of feeling sick to the stomach, often with the urge to vomit. It can be caused by illness, motion, or medication.

The patient agreed to comply with the treatment plan. Which word best replaces 'comply'?

• a.Ignore
• b.Obey✓
• c.Rewrite
• d.Question

To comply is to act in accordance with a rule or request. A patient who complies follows the treatment plan as directed.

This is a potent medication. Which word best replaces 'potent'?

• a.Weak
• b.Colorful
• c.Powerful✓
• d.Costly

Potent describes something that has a strong or powerful effect. A potent medication produces a strong result even in small doses.

Fatigue was her first symptom. Which word best replaces 'symptom'?

• a.Sign✓
• b.Physician
• c.Instrument
• d.Cure

A symptom is evidence of a disease or disorder that the patient feels or notices, such as pain or fatigue. Symptoms help identify what may be wrong.

Smoking can exacerbate a respiratory illness. Which word best replaces 'exacerbate'?

• a.Diagnose
• b.Worsen✓
• c.Cure
• d.Overlook

Exacerbate means to make a problem or condition more severe. For example, smoking can exacerbate a respiratory illness.

A patient who is well hydrated has:

• a.Enough body fluid✓
• b.A high temperature
• c.An active infection
• d.Low body weight

Hydrated means having enough fluid in the body to function properly. Staying hydrated is important for health, especially in hot weather.

The dressing was transparent. Which word best replaces 'transparent'?

• a.Loud
• b.Heavy
• c.Toxic
• d.Clear✓

Transparent means clear enough that light passes through and objects behind it can be seen. Glass and clean water are transparent.

The nurse will monitor his vital signs. Which word best replaces 'monitor'?

• a.Feed
• b.Transport
• c.Observe✓
• d.Discharge

To monitor is to observe and check something regularly over a period of time. Nurses monitor vital signs to track a patient's condition.

The patient reported severe fatigue. Which word best replaces 'fatigue'?

• a.Restlessness
• b.Hunger
• c.Confusion
• d.Exhaustion✓

Fatigue is a state of extreme tiredness or exhaustion. It can result from illness, overwork, or lack of sleep.

The physician discussed the prognosis. Which word best replaces 'prognosis'?

• a.Prescription
• b.Forecast✓
• c.Department
• d.Instrument

A prognosis is a medical prediction about how a disease will develop and the chance of recovery. It differs from a diagnosis, which identifies the condition.

The kidneys excrete waste. Which word best replaces 'excrete'?

• a.Eliminate✓
• b.Synthesize
• c.Circulate
• d.Neutralize

To excrete is to remove waste products from the body. The kidneys, for example, excrete waste through urine.

The tissue around the wound was inflamed. Which word best replaces 'inflamed'?

• a.Numb
• b.Swollen✓
• c.Pale
• d.Unaffected

Inflamed tissue is red, warm, swollen, and often painful as part of the body's response to injury or infection. Inflammation is a natural defense reaction.

Medication was given to alleviate the pain. Which word best replaces 'alleviate'?

• a.Cause
• b.Measure
• c.Relieve✓
• d.Intensify

Alleviate means to make something less severe or more bearable. Pain medication is given to alleviate a patient's discomfort.