126 Vocabulary questions written for the HESI A2, each with a rationale explaining why the correct answer is correct and why the others are not. Free, no account required. 10 examples are shown below.
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The answer: b — Abnormal condition or disease Think of it this way: If you see '-osis' at the end of a word, think 'oh no, something's wrong' — it usually points to a disease or abnormal condition. Why b is right: The suffix '-osis' indicates an abnormal condition, disease, or process. Examples include 'neurosis' (nervous disorder), 'fibrosis' (abnormal fibrous tissue), and 'tuberculosis' (infectious disease). Why the others are wrong: - a (Inflammation): '-itis' means inflammation, not '-osis'. - c (Surgical removal): '-ectomy' means surgical removal. - d (Specialist in a field): '-ologist' means specialist. Remember: '-osis' = abnormal condition or disease. Think 'diagnosis' — you're identifying a disease. In some contexts like 'mitosis,' it means a normal process, but in medical terms, it's usually pathological.
The answer: a — osteo/por/osis - abnormal condition of bone pores Think of it this way: 'Osteoporosis' literally means 'bone with pores' — like a sponge, because bones become porous and weak. Why a is right: Osteoporosis is composed of 'osteo-' (bone), 'por-' (pore/passage), and '-osis' (abnormal condition). It literally means 'abnormal condition of bone pores,' referring to decreased bone density and increased porosity. Why the others are wrong: - b (oste/o/porosis - inflammation of bone pores): '-itis' means inflammation, not '-osis'. - c (osteop/oro/sis - surgical repair of bone): '-plasty' means surgical repair. - d (os/tep/orosis - tumor of bone): '-oma' means tumor. Remember: 'Osteo-' = bone, 'por-' = pore, '-osis' = abnormal condition. So osteoporosis = porous bone condition.
The answer: A — tachy- Think of it this way: 'Tachy-' sounds like 'tacky' but means fast — like a 'tachometer' measures speed, and 'tachycardia' is a fast heart rate. Why A is right: The prefix 'tachy-' means 'fast' or 'rapid.' It's used in 'tachycardia' (rapid heart rate) and 'tachypnea' (rapid breathing). Why the others are wrong: - B (brady-): Means 'slow,' like in 'bradycardia' (slow heart rate). - C (poly-): Means 'many' or 'much,' like in 'polyuria' (lots of urine). - D (oligo-): Means 'few' or 'little,' like in 'oliguria' (little urine). Remember: 'Tachy-' = fast. Think 'tachometer' (measures speed) or 'tachycardia' (fast heart). Opposite is 'brady-' (slow).
The answer: A — Instrument to view the joint Think of it this way: 'Arthroscope' breaks into 'arthr/o' (joint) and '-scope' (instrument for viewing) — so it's a tool to look inside a joint. Why A is right: Arthroscope means an instrument to view the joint. 'Arthr/o' means joint, and '-scope' means instrument for viewing. The procedure is called 'arthroscopy.' Why the others are wrong: - B (Inflammation of the joint): That's 'arthritis' ('-itis' means inflammation). - C (Surgical removal of the joint): That's 'arthrectomy' ('-ectomy' means removal). - D (Disease of the joint): That's 'arthropathy' ('-pathy' means disease). Remember: 'Arthroscope' = joint viewer. 'Arthr/o' = joint, '-scope' = viewing instrument.
The answer: b — Administer antipyretic medication as ordered Think of it this way: 'Pyrexia' means fever, and 'antipyretic' means against fever, so you give meds to bring the fever down. Why b is right: Pyrexia is the medical term for fever. Nursing interventions include administering antipyretic medications (such as acetaminophen), providing cool compresses, ensuring adequate hydration, and monitoring temperature trends. Why the others are wrong: - a (Apply warming blankets): This would raise body temperature further, which is harmful. - c (Restrict all fluid intake): Fever increases fluid loss, so fluids should be encouraged, not restricted. - d (Position the patient flat in bed): Positioning is not directly related to treating fever. Remember: Pyrexia = fever. Anti-pyretic = fever reducer. Think 'pyro' for fire — you need to cool it down.
The answer: a — Above or excessive Think of it this way: 'Hyper' is like being 'hyper' active — you're above and beyond normal. Why a is right: The prefix 'hyper-' comes from Greek and means 'over,' 'above,' or 'excessive.' It's used in terms like hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Why the others are wrong: - b (Below or deficient): This describes the prefix 'hypo-,' not 'hyper-.' - c (Normal or within limits): This describes 'normo-,' not 'hyper-.' - d (Around or surrounding): This describes 'peri-,' not 'hyper-.' Remember: Hyper = high, hypo = low. Think of a hyperactive child (too active) vs. a hypodermic needle (under the skin).
The answer: a — Excessive production of urine Think of it this way: "Poly-" means many or much, and "-uria" means urine — so it's a lot of urine. Why a is right: Polyuria breaks down into "poly-" (many, much) and "-uria" (urine). It refers to the production of abnormally large amounts of urine, which is a symptom of conditions like diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, and certain kidney disorders. Why the others are wrong: - b (Painful urination): This is dysuria, not polyuria. - c (Absence of urine production): This is anuria, not polyuria. - d (Blood in the urine): This is hematuria, not polyuria. Remember: "Poly" = many, "uria" = urine. Polyuria = lots of urine.
The answer: b — Persists over a long period of time Think of it this way: "Chronic" comes from "chronos" meaning time — so it's a condition that lasts a long time. Why b is right: Chronic derives from Greek "chronikos" meaning of time. It describes conditions that are long-lasting, typically persisting for three months or more, and often requiring ongoing management. Examples include diabetes, arthritis, and COPD. Why the others are wrong: - a (Develops suddenly and resolves quickly): This is acute, not chronic. - c (Affects only one body system): Chronic conditions can affect multiple systems. - d (Is always fatal): Many chronic conditions are manageable and not fatal. Remember: "Chronic" = long-lasting. Think "chronos" = time.
The answer: C — Of unknown cause Think of it this way: Idio means one's own, and pathic means disease. Idiopathic means the disease came from itself, with no known cause. Why C is right: Idiopathic comes from Greek 'idios' (one's own) and 'pathos' (disease). It describes a condition with no known cause, like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Why the others are wrong: - A (Caused by a known pathogen): That is infectious or pathogenic. - B (Resulting from trauma): That is traumatic. - D (Related to genetics): That is genetic or hereditary. Remember: Idiopathic = unknown cause. Think 'I don't know why' — idio sounds like 'I don't know'.
The answer: A — High blood pressure and slow heart rate Think of it this way: Hypertension means high pressure, and bradycardia means slow heart. So you get high blood pressure and a slow pulse. Why A is right: Hypertension is high blood pressure, and bradycardia is a slow heart rate (under 60 bpm). They can occur together, especially with certain medications. Why the others are wrong: - B (Low blood pressure and slow heart rate): That is hypotension and bradycardia. - C (High blood pressure and fast heart rate): That is hypertension and tachycardia. - D (Normal blood pressure and slow heart rate): That is normotension and bradycardia. Remember: Hyper = high, brady = slow. Hypertension = high BP, bradycardia = slow heart.
