Key Takeaways
- The HESI A2 tests general English vocabulary as well as medical terms, often in context
- Synonyms are words with similar meanings; antonyms are words with opposite meanings
- Homonyms are words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings (e.g., their/there/they're)
- Many words have multiple meanings — context determines which definition applies
- Academic vocabulary includes words commonly used in science and health literature
- Word connotation refers to the emotional association beyond the literal definition (positive, neutral, or negative)
- Denotation is the literal dictionary definition of a word
- Prefixes un-, dis-, in-, im-, non- typically negate or reverse the meaning of a word
Last updated: February 2026
Word Context & Usage
The HESI A2 Vocabulary & General Knowledge section tests your understanding of words commonly used in healthcare and academic settings. Questions may ask you to identify synonyms, antonyms, or the correct meaning of a word in context.
Frequently Tested HESI A2 Vocabulary
| Word | Definition | Example in Context |
|---|---|---|
| Abrupt | Sudden, unexpected | "The abrupt change in the patient's condition alarmed the nurse" |
| Adverse | Harmful, unfavorable | "Monitor for adverse drug reactions" |
| Ambiguous | Unclear, open to interpretation | "The test results were ambiguous and required further investigation" |
| Benign | Not harmful (medical: not cancerous) | "The tumor was benign and required no treatment" |
| Bilateral | Affecting both sides | "Bilateral lung sounds were clear" |
| Cease | To stop | "The bleeding did not cease after 10 minutes of pressure" |
| Chronic | Long-lasting, persistent | "Diabetes is a chronic condition requiring ongoing management" |
| Comply | To follow rules or instructions | "Patients who comply with medication regimens have better outcomes" |
| Concise | Brief and to the point | "Documentation should be concise and accurate" |
| Deficit | A lack or shortage | "The patient has a fluid deficit due to dehydration" |
| Deteriorate | To become worse | "The patient's condition began to deteriorate overnight" |
| Dilute | To make thinner or weaker | "Dilute the medication with normal saline before administration" |
| Discrete | Separate, individually distinct | "Each discrete symptom was documented" |
| Distended | Swollen, expanded | "The patient's abdomen was distended and tender" |
| Exacerbate | To make worse | "Stress can exacerbate chronic pain conditions" |
| Impaired | Weakened, damaged | "The patient had impaired mobility after the stroke" |
| Initiate | To begin, start | "Initiate IV fluids as ordered" |
| Lethargic | Drowsy, sluggish, lacking energy | "The patient became lethargic after taking the sedative" |
| Overt | Open, obvious, not hidden | "The overt symptoms included fever and rash" |
| Potent | Strong, powerful | "The medication was too potent at the initial dose" |
| Precipitous | Very steep, happening suddenly | "The precipitous drop in blood pressure was alarming" |
| Prognosis | Expected outcome of a disease | "The prognosis for early-stage cancer is generally favorable" |
| Rationale | Reason or explanation | "Document the rationale for each clinical decision" |
| Supplement | Something added to complete | "The doctor recommended a calcium supplement" |
| Void | To empty (usually urine) | "The patient was unable to void after surgery" |
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms are words with similar meanings:
- Cease / Stop / Discontinue
- Initiate / Begin / Start / Commence
- Impaired / Weakened / Damaged / Compromised
- Lethargic / Drowsy / Sluggish / Fatigued
Antonyms are words with opposite meanings:
- Acute (sudden/short-term) / Chronic (long-lasting)
- Benign (harmless) / Malignant (harmful)
- Proximal (close) / Distal (far)
- Internal (inside) / External (outside)
- Anterior (front) / Posterior (back)
Denotation vs. Connotation
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Denotation | The literal, dictionary definition of a word |
| Connotation | The emotional or cultural associations a word carries |
Example:
- "Thin" (neutral connotation) vs. "Slender" (positive connotation) vs. "Scrawny" (negative connotation)
- All three words have similar denotations but different emotional associations
Words with Multiple Meanings
Many English words have different meanings depending on context:
| Word | General Meaning | Medical Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Culture | Customs and beliefs of a group | Growing bacteria in a lab for identification |
| Discharge | To release | To release a patient from care; bodily fluid output |
| Dress | Clothing | To apply a wound covering |
| Elevated | Raised physically | Above-normal lab values or vital signs |
| Present | A gift; current time | To show signs/symptoms of a condition |
| Stable | Not changing | Patient condition that is not worsening |
| Void | Empty space | To urinate |
Test Your Knowledge
What does "adverse" mean in the sentence: "The patient experienced an adverse reaction to the medication"?
A
B
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D
Test Your Knowledge
Which word is a synonym for "lethargic"?
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B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
What does "void" mean in a medical context?
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B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which pair of words are antonyms?
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B
C
D
Test Your KnowledgeFill in the Blank
The word "exacerbate" means to make a condition _____.
Type your answer below
Test Your Knowledge
In the sentence "The nurse documented each discrete symptom separately," what does "discrete" mean?
A
B
C
D
Test Your KnowledgeMulti-Select
Which of the following words have a NEGATIVE connotation? (Select all that apply)
Select all that apply
Slender
Scrawny
Deteriorate
Improve
Impaired
Supplement