HESI A2 Vocabulary and Grammar Review

Comprehensive vocabulary and grammar flashcards based on HESI A2 entrance exam preparation materials.

Abrupt

Sudden

Abstain

To restrain oneself or voluntarily refrain from something

Access

A means to obtain entry or means of approach

Accountable

To be responsible; to justify actions or decisions

Acute

Sudden, abrupt or to an intense degree

Adhere

To believe in and follow practices of; to stick to something

Adverse

Not desired or possibly harmful or unfavorable

Affable

Friendly, easy to talk to, pleasant

Affect

Appearance of observable emotions; to have an effect on

Aegis

Control, protection

Alloy

A fine metal mixed with a less valuable metal

Ambivalent

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Anastomosis

Connection; usually between internal parts of the body

Anterior

Near the front

Anticipatory

To expect or see a probable occurrence; to look forward to

Apply

To place, put on, or spread something

Assent

To give consent; to agree

Audible

Able to be heard

Bacteria

Single-celled, microscopic organisms

Bifurcate

To divide

Benign

Harmless

Bilateral

Relating to two sides; affecting both sides

Biopsy

To remove for observation or study

Cardiac

Relating to the heart

Cauterize

To burn; usually in the process of assisting in healing or repairing

Cavity

An empty space or opening within a solid object

Cease

To bring or come to an end

Chide

To scold or rebuke

Chronology

An arrangement of events or dates in the order of their occurrence

Compensatory

Making up for something that was offsetting or short (compensate)

Complication

An undesired problem that is the result of some other event

Comply

To do as directed

Comprehensive

Complete

Concave

Rounded inward

Concise

Brief and to the point

Consistency

How thick or thin a fluid is in relation to how it flows

Consternation

A feeling of dismay or anxiety

Constrict

To become smaller or draw together or become narrower

Contingent

Dependent upon a situation

Contract

To draw together or to reduce in size

Contraindication

Suggest or indicate that a particular technique or drug should not be used

Contour

The shape or outline of a shape

Contrite

Remorseful

Convex

Having an outline or surface curved like the exterior of a circle

Convulsive

Violent shaking of the body

Cacophony

Harsh or unpleasant noise or a discordant mixture of sounds

Cower

To duck down, crouch or hide in fear

Cursory

Quick; not detailed

Cystoscopy

To exam the bladder

Defecate

To discharge feces from the body

Deficit

Lack of something as in deficient

Depress

Press downward or press into a lower position

Depth

The distance from the top or surface of something to its bottom

Deteriorating

Worsening or to become progressively worse

Device

Tool or piece of equipment

Diagnosis

To identify an injury or disease; explanation for a patient’s symptoms

Diameter

The distance across the center of an object

Dichotomy

A division or contrast between two things

Dilate

To expand or enlarge

Dilute

To make a liquid less concentrated, thinner or weaker by adding water or other solvent

Discrete

Individually separate or distinct

Distal

Away from the center, distant

Distended

Enlarged or expanded from pressure

Dorsal

Having to do with one’s back or a back surface

Dysfunction

Impaired or abnormal functioning

Elevate

To lift up or place in a higher position

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others

Enervate

To weaken or cause someone to feel drained of energy; weak or tired

Endogenous

Produced from within the body

Engender

To make something happen; produce; procreate; originate

Ephemeral

Lasting for a markedly brief time; having a short lifespan; short-lived

Equilibrium

Having to do with balance

Erudite

Someone who has a wide range of knowledge and is well-read

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disease or condition

Euthanasia

The act or practice of killing or permitting the death of someone sick or injured

Exacerbate

To make something worse or more severe

Exasperated

To irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely

Excess

More than what is needed

Exogenous

Produced outside the body

Expand

To increase in size or amount

Expedite

To accelerate or make something happen sooner or more quickly

Exposure

To come in contact with something

Extension

To unbend or lengthen

External

Located outside of the body

Fatal

Resulting in or causing death

Fatigue

Extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness

Flaccid

Limp or lacking tone

Flexion

The action of bending a joint or the condition of being bent

Flushed

Ruddy or reddened appearance

Fontanel

Soft spot on a baby’s head

Gaping

Wide open

Gastrointestinal

Relating to the stomach and the intestines

Grieving

A feeling of great sadness, especially when caused by a loss or death

Heimlich

An emergency rescue procedure for someone choking on a foreign object

Hematologic

Relating to blood

Hydration

To maintain the balance of body fluid

Hygiene

To maintain good health and cleanliness

Impaired

Lacking usual quality or a diminished level

Impending

About to happen or occur soon; occurring in the near future

Impervious

To not allow anything to pass through