HESI A2 practice test

HESI A2 Vocabulary Practice Test

The words nursing programs expect you to know. Here are 10 HESI A2 vocabulary questions, each with the answer and the reason.

Updated 2026-11-14 by the Tigertest team. Based on the HESI A2 section outlines (math, reading, vocabulary, grammar, biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology). Physics is not included. Not affiliated with Elsevier.

1. 1.

   Before surgery, the patient was instructed to abstain from eating or drinking after midnight. What does abstain mean?

   • A.

     Cut down gradually on

   • B.

     Refrain from

   • C.

     Delay

   • D.

     Prepare for

   Answer: B.

   To abstain is to refrain from doing something entirely. Cut down gradually on is tempting, but it means reducing an activity rather than avoiding it.

2. 2.

   Mr. Lee felt ambivalent about moving into assisted living, wanting help but fearing a loss of independence. What does ambivalent mean?

   • A.

     Strongly opposed

   • B.

     Completely indifferent

   • C.

     Having mixed feelings

   • D.

     Eagerly hopeful

   Answer: C.

   Ambivalent means having conflicting feelings at the same time. Indifferent is tempting, but it means having no strong feeling at all.

3. 3.

   Ms. Diaz has lived with chronic back pain for more than ten years. What does chronic mean?

   • A.

     Severe and disabling

   • B.

     Sudden in onset

   • C.

     Returning after a full cure

   • D.

     Lasting a long time

   Answer: D.

   Chronic describes a condition that lasts a long time or keeps recurring. Severe and disabling describes intensity, not duration.

4. 4.

   Discharge is contingent on the patient walking safely down the hall without assistance. What does contingent mean?

   • A.

     Scheduled after

   • B.

     Dependent on

   • C.

     Prevented by

   • D.

     Recorded with

   Answer: B.

   Contingent on means dependent on a condition being met. Scheduled after is tempting, but it describes timing rather than a requirement.

5. 5.

   Bed alarms are used to deter patients at high risk for falls from getting up alone. What does deter mean?

   • A.

     Discourage

   • B.

     Encourage

   • C.

     Help or support

   • D.

     Remind

   Answer: A.

   Deter means to discourage or prevent an action. Remind is tempting, but reminding does not imply trying to stop the action.

6. 6.

   The child was febrile, so the nurse gave acetaminophen as ordered by the provider. What does febrile mean?

   • A.

     Having shaking chills

   • B.

     Having a fever

   • C.

     Very weak

   • D.

     Dehydrated

   Answer: B.

   Febrile means feverish, with an elevated body temperature. Chills often accompany a fever, but they are not what the word means.

7. 7.

   Type 2 diabetes often has an insidious onset, so many people are unaware they have it. What does insidious mean?

   • A.

     Sudden and dramatic

   • B.

     Easily cured

   • C.

     Gradual and subtle

   • D.

     Spread from person to person

   Answer: C.

   Insidious means developing gradually and without obvious signs. Sudden and dramatic is the opposite of an insidious onset.

8. 8.

   The nurse noticed the toddler was lethargic and difficult to wake for his feeding. What does lethargic mean?

   • A.

     Drowsy and sluggish

   • B.

     Irritable and crying

   • C.

     Confused and agitated

   • D.

     Pale and cool

   Answer: A.

   Lethargic means abnormally drowsy, sluggish, and hard to arouse. Confused and agitated describes a restless state, not a slowed one.

9. 9.

   The patient described paroxysmal coughing spells that came on without warning at night. What does paroxysmal mean?

   • A.

     Continuous

   • B.

     Producing mucus

   • C.

     Occurring in sudden episodes

   • D.

     Painless

   Answer: C.

   Paroxysmal means occurring in sudden, recurring attacks. Continuous is tempting, but paroxysmal events come and go.

10. 10.

    Because the wound edges were _____ and pulling apart, the nurse notified the provider. Which word best completes the sentence?

    • A.

      gaping

    • B.

      intact

    • C.

      occluded

    • D.

      flushed

    Answer: A.

    Gaping means wide open, which fits wound edges that are pulling apart. Intact is the opposite and would mean the edges are closed.