HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide

Vocabulary: How to Solve the Puzzle! Fill in the blank vocabulary questions are like puzzles with one key piece missing. In puzzles, the surrounding area that is already complete is filled with clues that lead you to the piece that fits perfectly. Like in puzzles, the sentence surrounding the blank space in a fill in the blank question is filled with context clues to what that missing word might be. The key is to study the sentence and look for those clues that will help you solve the puzzle! Here are a few steps to help you with these types of test questions. Read the sentence carefully and search for context clues within the sentence. Remember, you are solving a puzzle, so use the part of the puzzle that is already complete to help you find the missing piece. Here is where context clues come into play! Looking up the definitions of words included in the sentence can be very helpful as you determine what word completes the statement. You should also consider how prefixes and suffixes can modify the meanings of words. Other types of context clues: • Synonym: a word or group of words that has the same meaning as the missing word • Antonym: a word or group of words that has the opposite meaning as the missing word • Explanation: the missing word is explained within the sentence • Example: there are specific examples in the sentence that help define the missing word Read your answer choices carefully. Define each term as best you can. Use a dictionary if needed and, again, consider any prefixes and suffixes in your word choices. Once you have found the correct word, put that missing piece into the puzzle to see if it fits. Take a moment and reread the sentence with your answer choice to assure that it makes sense. It should fit the tense, part of speech, and number required by the sentence. Now let’s solve one of these puzzles together! Example: My mom said it was pouring outside, but it was actually just a light drizzle— she loves to _____________. a. persecute b. exaggerate c. endure d. mimic © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide First, let’s read the sentence carefully and identify context clues. The first part of the sentence states that the narrator’s mom has said it is pouring outside, but it is actually only drizzling lightly. In other words, the narrator is telling us this his mom is saying the rain is greater than what it actually is. Study the area around the blank space, as well. In this sentence, we are looking for a word that describes what the narrator’s mom loves to do. The word we are looking for has already been explained, it is a word that means saying something is greater than what it actually is. Next, let’s look at the answer choices. Read each answer choice and define them as best you can. For this example, we have provided you with the following definitions: a. persecute: to treat someone cruelly or unfairly based on their race, political or religious beliefs; to harass or annoy b. exaggerate: to present something as being larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is c. endure: to suffer through something painful or difficult patiently; to remain in existence d. mimic: to imitate someone’s actions or words, typically in order to entertain or ridicule. When you feel confident that you understand the context of the sentence, you could also attempt to fill the sentence with your own word, perhaps “lie” or “embellish”, in this case, and determine which of the word choices fits as a synonym. In these answer choices, only “exaggerate” fits the sentence to describe what the narrator’s mom loves to do, according to the contextual information we have been given. Lastly, let’s put the missing piece into the puzzle to see if it fits! Reread the sentence and enter your word choice into the blank space. My mom said it was pouring outside, but it was actually just a light drizzle—she loves to exaggerate. It fits! © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide Vocabulary Practice Worksheets / Activities Word List with Definitions: 1. Adapt (verb) to change so as to fit a new or specific use or situation 2. Adhere (v.) to stay loyal to; to stick by or to as though by glue, suction, grasping, etc. 3. Anxious (adjective) fearful or worried about possible events 4. Beneficial (adj.) producing results that are good for health and happiness 5. Burden (noun) something taken as a duty or responsibility 6. Capacity (n.) the ability to hold or contain 7. Courteous (adj.) marked by respect for and consideration of others 8. Deprive (v.) to take something away from 9. Duplicate (n.) a thing that is exactly like another 10. Escalate (v.) to increase in extent, volume, or scope 11. Exult (v.) to be very joyful 12. Futile (adj.) having no result or effect 13. Generate (v.) to bring into existence 14. Hazardous (adj.) dangerous or risky 15. Hostile (adj.) showing open resistance or opposition 16. Immense (adj.) very great in size or amount; especially : not capable of being measured by ordinary means 17. Innovation (n.) the introduction of something new 18. Negotiate (v.) to have a discussion with another so as to arrive at an agreement 19. Obsolete (adj.) no longer in use 20. Priority (n.) the quality or state of coming before another in time or importance 21. Revert (v.) to come or go back 22. Sever (v.) to divide, put, or keep apart 23. Sparse (adj.) of few and scattered elements; especially : not thickly grown or settled 24. Tangible (adj.) capable of being touched, understood, or appreciated © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide 25. Vivid (adj.) very strong or bright Synonyms Select the word from the list above with the same meaning as the given word. 1. Hateful _______________________ 2. Task _______________________ 3. Apprehensive _________________ 4. Debate _______________________ 5. Split _______________________ 6. Copy _______________________ 7. Glowing ______________________ 8. Out-of-date ___________________ 9. Intensify ______________________ 10. Rejoice _______________________ Antonyms Select the word from the list above with opposite meaning of the given word. 11. Destroy ______________________ 12. Tradition ______________________ 13. Disobey ______________________ 14. Plentiful ______________________ 15. Unreal _____________________ 16. Limited ______________________ 17. Harmful ______________________ 18. Reject ______________________ 19. Develop ______________________ 20. Stable ______________________ Analogies Select the word from the list above that best completes the analogy, creating a relationship that matches the relationship from the first set of words provided. 21. passengers : plane :: ____________________ : bucket 22. deny : diet :: ____________________ : grounded © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide 23. current : iphone :: ____________________ : beeper 24. viewable : sight : ____________________ : touch 25. destroy : wreckage :: ____________________ : creation 26. barter : trade :: ____________________ : deal 27. dull : colorless :: ____________________ : colorful 28. plan : result :: ____________________ : success 29. constructive : peace :: ____________________ : war 30. rude : unwelcoming :: ____________________ : hospitable Word Meaning Select the word from the list above that best completes each of the following sentences. 31. The ____________________ stress his heart was under caused him to experience heart attack last year. 32. Although you still might use them at home, oral thermometers have become ____________________ in most doctors’ offices. 33. Spending less time tanning by the pool would be ____________________ for the health of his skin. 34. The development of the EpiPen was an important ____________________ for people with serious allergies. 35. You may have to ____________________ to using your left hand for most activities until your bones have reset and the cast on your right arm can be removed. 36. She was very ____________________ about her surgery, but the doctor assured her that her recovery time would be short. 37. It was very ____________________ of the nurse to let me know that the stethoscope might feel shockingly cold before touching it to my back. 38. Joining the cross-country is really helping to increase my lung ____________________. 39. The amount of pepperoni on the pizza was much too ____________________, in my opinion—pepperoni is my favorite topping! © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide 40. Please note that all used hypodermic needles should be disposed of in the box marked “____________________ Waste Disposal.” 41. Emergency responders are trained to keep patients and witnesses calm so that the commotion of situation does not ____________________ further. 42. It feels pretty ____________________ to brush my teeth sometimes—no matter how often I brush, I still end up with cavities when I go to the dentist’s office! 43. By making regular exercise a ____________________, you will greatly improve your cardiovascular health. 44. If you don’t ____________________to the instructions your doctor gave you, the treatment won’t be effective. 45. Ever since I broke my leg, I feel like such a ____________________ to my mom. I can’t wait to be able to get up and do things for myself! 46. Moving to another town will mean ____________________ ties with my doctor. I don’t know how I’ll replace him—he’s been my primary care physician for over ten years! 47. I’m sorry if I seem____________________. It’s not personal, I just really don’t like having my teeth cleaned. 48. We’ve ____________________ several X-rays of your lungs, and we’re seeing some suspicious dark spots that we’d like to investigate further. 49. After you complete your nutrition program, it’s important that you don’t ____________________ back to your previous snacking habits. 50. We all ____________________ in the news that the treatment had been successful and Grandma’s cancer was in remission. 51. Scanning electron microscopes can take detailed, ___________, colorful images of the microscopic world. © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide Context Clues Using the other words as clues, circle the letter of the word that most closely matches the underlined word in the sentence. 1. The medication makes me feel a bit sluggish. Can we replace it with something that won’t impact my ability to work and stay active? a. tired c. hungry b. alert d. uncomfortable 2. I have been coping with increasingly severe back pain for the past few years. Is there something else I can be doing to alleviate the pain? I don’t know how much more I can take! a. dispensing c. suffering b. comparing d. angry 3. I know that you are very reluctant to have the surgery, but I promise the recovery time won’t be as bad as you anticipate and the long-term results will be well worth any pain you experience over the next few weeks. a. confident c. afraid b. willing d. competent 4. Your symptoms may have mimicked that of a heat attack, but actually you were experiencing a panic attack. They can appear very similar at first, but your test show that it was definitely not a heart attack. a. imitated c. affirmed b. prevented d. delivered 5. The physical therapy exercises may feel monotonous, but repetitive motion can actually contribute to your recovery in a significant way. a. eventful c. gratifying b. unimportant d. tedious 6. Remember that you must remain perfectly stationary while you have an MRI; otherwise, we’ll have to do it again so the image comes out clearly. a. elevated c. motionless b. mobile d. flexed 7. The tempo of your heartbeat is a bit off. We’d like to conduct some additional tests to confirm that it’s rhythm not a result of a serious heart murmur. a. rate b. health © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide c. strength d. ability 8. We’ve compiled the results of your tests and determined that the two conditions you have been complaining of are not related. a. dismissed c. gathered b. discharged d. garnered 9. Sorry, I would give you a hug, but I’ve been battling a lingering cold for the past few weeks. I wish it would just go away already! a. remaining c. terrible b. fleeting d. slight © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide Antonyms as Context Clues Using the antonym in blue, circle the letter of the word that most closely matches the underlined word in the sentence. 1. She was about to undergo controversial surgery against the wishes of her family, though the doctor assured them that the experimental procedure could produce very positive results. They wanted her to have a more tried-and-true treatment. a. disputed c. difficult b. tested d. easy 2. At first my symptoms seemed very clear-cut and explainable, but now my doctor says they’re presenting a bit of an enigma; he’ll have to administer a few more tests. a. conundrum c. specific b. obvious d. oblivious 3. Fortunately, the cancer was not as aggressive as we feared. Although there is still a long road ahead of us, we can feel much more calm about her condition. a. susceptible c. disputed b. accepting d. threatening 4. My doctor said my bones are showing signs of fragility so I am taking calcium supplements to help build up my bone density. a. mass c. thinness b. thickness d. weakness 5. Laser surgery! For a little wart? Is it really necessary to undergo such a drastic procedure for such an unexceptional affliction? a. fundamental c. extreme b. last-minute d. mild 6. Your genetic traits that are passed down to you from your parents can sometimes play a greater role in your health than the acquired behaviors that you engage daily. a. hereditary c. attained b. unmanageable d. healthiest 7. If you exert a little extra effort in your workout, you’ll see better results and improvements in your cardiovascular health than if you neglect to push yourself towards small goals. a. fail b. apply © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide c. run d. dictate 8. My doctor absolutely denounces the holistic methods my Aunt swears by. He says that it’s phony medicine. a. blames c. approves b. condemns d. praises 9. While your son claims he is exhibiting signs of an upset stomach, I think it is more likely that he is just concealing his anxiety about taking his math test later today. a. providing b. hiding c. showing d. eliminating © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide HESI A2 VOCABULARY PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS: Choose the best vocabulary word to complete each of the statements provided. 1. If you want to have burgers for dinner tomorrow night, you’ll have to remind me to take the meat patties out of the freezer to _____________. a. corrode b. divide c. thaw d. eat 2. A rash in the shape of a bulls-eye on the skin is a ___________ sign for lyme disease. If you see one, you should go to the doctor for a blood test to confirm. a. shabby b. fair c. rigorous d. reliable 3. Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a bone disorder that causes fragile, easily broken bones; it is more commonly known as “________ bone disease.” a. rigorous b. divided c. brittle d. artificial 4. Knee replacement surgery involves removing the knee bone and replacing it with an ___________ joint. a. rigorous b. divided c. brittle d. artificial 5. Recent studies show that consuming a/n __________ of ibeprophen can be unhealthy and adults should only use it as needed. a. excess b. amount c. tablet d. combination © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide 6. The _______________ training required to participate in the Olympics prevents many athletes from competing more than once. a. rigorous b. restricted c. combination d. latter 7. Diabetes is classified as type 1 or type 2. The ___________ commonly occurs as a result of obesity. Type 1, on the other hand, is believed to be genetic. a. other b. combination c. tentative d. latter 8. Some people think that you can get away with riding the train without paying the ________, but there are serious consequences if you get caught without a ticket. a. fair b. faire c. fare d. fee 9. The shoulder features a ball-and-socket joint that allows us to ___________ our arms. a. inflate b. roll c. rotate d. lift 10. Our ___________ time of arrival is 6pm, but that depends on how much traffic we hit on the highway. a. tentative b. absolute c. cautious d. revolving 11. X-rays can be used to ______________ changes in tissue that may indicate the presence of certain cancers. © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide a. inflate b. detect c. magnify d. jolt 12. Josh’s skiing accident resulted in injuries that will require ____________ surgery on his back, knee, and shoulder. He will likely need to undergo multiple surgeries, as a result. a. hazardous b. revolving c. negative d. extensive 13. Good news! The results of your test for strep throat came back ______________. You won’t need any antibiotics. a. negative b. positive c. accurate d. catalyzed 14. The liver transplant will require a rather large incision, so be sure to keep an eye out for signs of __________ as you recover. The first symptom you might notice is redness or heat coming from the wound. a. jolting b. corrosion c. infection d. inflation 15. His reputation was irreparably ______________________ by the news story that accused him of engaging in shady business deals. a. restricted b. blemished c. catalyzed d. increased 16. That polish was really effective—all the scratches on my car practically _________! a. thawed b. fused c. vanished © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide d. corroded 17. Pediatricians are specialized doctors that treat ______________, specifically. Most children go to a pediatrician until they are 18 years old or out of college. a. juveniles b. adults c. infants d. seniors 18. Unhealthy weight is usually caused by a(n) ____________ of several factors including diet, exercise, and genetics. a. increase b. excess c. amount d. combination 19. In the lab, chemists deal with _____________ materials every day, so they wear protective gowns, gloves, and goggles to keep any dangerous chemical from coming into contact with their skin. a. brittle b. lukewarm c. extensive d. hazardous 20. The ________________ of his years of smoking was throat cancer. Eventually, his voice box needed to be removed and was replaced by a hole in his throat that he had to use for breathing and speaking. a. discharge b. annual c. cause d. consequence 21. Because she was totally ___________ to even the most obvious signs of heart disease, she did not alter her lifestyle and soon experience a heart attack. a. oblivious b. epidemic c. unscathed d. elevated © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide 22. The car came to a screeching stop with a ____________. a. fuse b. blemish c. jolt d. groan 23. The swelling caused by Tom’s recent fall off his bike has caused _________ use of his right hand; fortunately, he is left-handed. a. inflated b. restricted c. abnormal d. problematic 24. It’s important that the readings of your resting heart rate are ____________. Otherwise we won’t be able to properly determine a target heart rate. a. accurate b. elevated c. abnormal d. unscathed 25. Learning the anatomical terms is one of the most __________ skills to learn as a student of anatomy and physiology. It’s the first thing you should learn! a. reliable b. restricted c. basic d. inconvenient 26. If you have difficulty with activities such as __________ a balloon, you may want to work on improving your lung capacity. a. inflating b. elevating c. holding d. popping 27. When the cartilage between the bones of your spine wears out, spondylodesis, a surgical technique that ________ together two or more vertebrae, can help relieve the back pain that often results. a. corroded © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide b. thaws c. fares d. fuses 28. An insulin pump will beep to ________ you when your insulin is low, it’s time to check your blood sugar, or the pump’s battery is low. a. restrict b. inconvenience c. alert d. jolt 29. It’s important to keep your ankle ____________ with a cushion or similar item after you experience a sprain; this will help reduce the swelling. a. lukewarm b. elevated c. brisk d. restricted 30. Two patients came into the ER after suffering a car accident; Jimmy had many broken bones, while Sarah didn’t have a scratch on her. Miraculously she came out of the accident ______________. a. alert b. blemished c. unscathed d. oblivious 31. After so many years of use, the towels in the bathroom are starting to look quite _____________; I think I’ll buy some new ones this weekend. a. shabby b. placid c. sad d. corroded 32. The scooter he bought was terribly rusted and _____________, but he didn’t pay that much for it. a. flimsy b. artificial c. sad d. corroded © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide 33. Enzymes ___________, or accelerate, chemical reactions. a. stop b. increase c. catalyze d. start 34. Some people only go to their __________ physical to renew their prescriptions, but it is also an important opportunity to check in with your doctor for the year and verify you are in good health, generally. a. accumulate b. sensible c. annual d. inconvenient 35. If you let too much stress __________in your life, it can actually be bad for your health. It’s important to let go of things so you can feel lighter, happier, and healthier. a. commence b. accumulate c. catalyze d. infect 36. Going for a _________ walk is a great cardiovascular exercise people who cannot run or jog as a result of joint issues. a. lukewarm b. unscathed c. brisk d. restricted 37. More and more companies are __________________ gluten-free products to meet the increasing demand of people with varying degrees of celiac disease. a. accumulating b. commencing c. manufacturing d. omitting 38. The brain is divided into two cerebral _________________; both sides have an external layer of grey matter and are connected together by the corpus callosum. © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide a. hemispheres b. ailments c. reserves d. sensibles 39. Before a major surgery, you may be asked to give a certain amount of blood that the doctors can keep on _____________ in case complications arise during your surgery. a. epidemic b. jolt c. tentative d. reserve 40. Your forehead only feels ____________. I doubt you have a fever. a. moist b. lukewarm c. brisk d. sensible 41. Once you _____________ taking this medication, you may experience several side effects such as drowsiness and loss of appetite. These symptoms should stop once you stop taking the medication. a. commence b. accumulate c. manufacture d. magnify 42. Doctors use an otoscope to examine the inner ear. It ___________ structures such as the ear canal and eardrum so they can be screened for characteristics indicative of various diseases. a. jolts b. omits c. magnifies d. complicates 43. Wearing ____________shoes are not just comfortable; they can also save you for foot pain in the future! Studies show that women who wore high heels on a regular basis were more likely to suffer foot issues later in life. a. fused © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide b. unscathed c. sensible d. brisk 44. Sometimes getting in a workout in can be __________, but if you make it part of your routine, it will become much easier. a. inconvenient b. sensible c. infecting d. magnifying 45. The ______________ outside is making my hair so frizzy! I wish it would just stop raining already. a. epidemic b. moisture c. tundra d. discharge 46. Make sure you wear sun block when your skin is exposed to UV rays or else you’ll be suffering _________ much worse than prematurely wrinkled skin. a. ailments b. infections c. epidemics d. fares 47. When you are trying to get in shape, do not _________ meditation from your diet and exercise routine. Quiet reflection is a very healthy way of reducing stress levels that can contribute to weight gain. a. complicate b. infect c. omit d. discharge 48. Some medications can _____________ your ability to operate a vehicle by causing drowsiness. Therefore, it is important to read and following the warnings on all your medications so you avoid dangerous situations like driving while drowsy. a. omit b. magnify © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide c. complicate d. catalyze 49. According to some, obesity has become a(n) ______________ in the United States. The number of adults and children struggling with complications associated with obesity has skyrocketed over the past decade. a. epidemic b. ailment c. hemisphere d. consequence 50. Now that you are well, it’s time for us to __________ you from the hospital and send you home! a. discharge b. omit c. commence d. jolt © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide Synonyms: 1. Hateful _______Hostile__________ 2. Task ________Burden_________ 3. Apprehensive ____Anxious_______ 4. Debate _______Negotiate________ 5. Split _______Sever____________ 6. Copy _________Duplicate______ 7. Glowing _________Vivid_________ 8. Out-of-date _____Obsolete______ 9. Intensify _______Escalate________ 10. Rejoice _______Exult____________ © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org Worksheet Answer Key HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide Antonyms: 11. Destroy _______Generate________ 12. Tradition ______Innovate_________ 13. Disobey ______Adhere__________ 14. Plentiful _______Sparse__________ 15. Unreal _______Tangible__________ 16. Limited ______Immense__________ 17. Harmful ______Beneficial_________ 18. Reject ______Adapt_____________ 19. Develop ________Revert__________ 20. Stable ______Hazardous_________ Analogies: 21. passengers : plane :: ______capacity______________ : bucket 22. deny : diet :: _________deprive___________ : grounded 23. current : iphone :: ________obsolete____________ : beeper 24. viewable : sight : _________tangible___________ : touch 25. destroy : wreckage :: ________generate____________ : creation 26. barter : trade :: _________negotiate___________ : deal 27. dull : colorless :: _________vivid___________ : colorful 28. plan : result :: __________priority__________ : success 29. constructive : peace :: ________futile____________ : war 30. rude : unwelcoming :: ________courteous____________ : hospitable Word Meaning: 31. The _________ immense___________ stress his heart was under caused him to experience a heart attack last year. 32. Although you still might use them at home, oral thermometers have become ________obsolete ____________ in most doctors’ offices. © All Rights Reserved. www.ReadyForTheHESI.org HESI A2 Vocabulary Study Guide 33. Spending less time tanning by the pool would be _______beneficial_____________ for the health of his skin. 34. The development of the EpiPen was an important _______innovation_____________ for people with serious allergies. 35. You may have to _________adapt___________ to using your left hand for most activities until your bones have reset and the cast on your right arm can be removed. 36. She was very ______anxious______________ about her surgery, but the doctor assured her that her recovery time would be short. 37. It was very ________courteous____________ of the nurse to let me know that the stethoscope might feel shockingly cold before touching it to my back. 38. Joining the cross-country is really helping to increase my lung ______capacity________. 39. The amount of pepperoni on the pizza was much too ________sparse____________, in my opinion—pepperoni is my favorite topping! 40. Please note that all used hypodermic needles should be disposed of in the box marked “_______Hazardous_____________ Waste Disposal.” 41. Emergency responders are trained to keep patients and witnesses calm so that the commotion of situation does not ___________escalate_________ further. 42. It feels pretty __________futile__________ to brush my teeth sometimes—no matter how often I brush, I still end up with cavities when I go to the dentist’s office! 43. By making regular exercise a ________priority____________, you will greatly improve your cardiovascular health. 44. If you don’t _________adhere___________to the instructions your doctor gave you, the treatment won’t be effective. 45. Ever since I broke my leg, I feel like such a _________burden___________ to my mom. I can’t wait to be able to get up and do things for myself!