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HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge Practice Test

First published: September 13, 2026Bank updated: September 13, 2026Published by CertQuestUSA · review process
TL;DR

HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge Practice Test: a 120-question practice bank for the real Healthcare & Pharmacy Certification standard, 2 full papers of 55 questions each with no repeats, every question citing the real regulation it comes from.

Independent study tool for the HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge section. Not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Elsevier Inc. HESI and Evolve are trademarks of Elsevier Inc. Elsevier does not publish section question counts, time limits, passing scores, fees or retake rules for the HESI A2; the 55-question length and 50-minute timer used here are the figures published by nursing schools that run the exam, and your program may configure the section differently. Schools report that 55 questions are shown and 50 are scored, with 5 unscored pilot items you cannot identify, and that you cannot skip a question or go back. This practice test scores every question and lets you review at the end. There is no Elsevier pass mark: your program sets its own cutoff (75 percent per section is a common one), its own fee and its own retake policy, and it chooses which sections you sit. Check your school's page.
Not sure where you stand? Take the free diagnostic — 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.
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2
full papers, no repeats
55
questions per paper
120
questions in the bank
What this exam covers
5 real sample questions
Which word or phrase is closest in meaning to the word in single quotes? The patient has 'bilateral' swelling of the ankles.
A. Around the joint
B. On both sides
C. On one side only
D. Below the knee
Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: B. On both sides

Correct. Bilateral means affecting both sides of the body, in this case both ankles.

  • A: Around the joint is periarticular, unrelated to bilateral.
  • C: On one side only is unilateral.
  • D: Below the knee is a location, not what bilateral describes.
Source: HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge | Healthcare vocabulary
Which word or phrase is closest in meaning to the word in single quotes? The 'cardiac' unit cares for patients recovering from heart surgery.
A. Relating to the kidneys
B. Relating to the lungs
C. Relating to the heart
D. Relating to the brain
Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: C. Relating to the heart

Correct. Cardiac comes from the Greek word for heart.

  • A: Relating to the kidneys is renal.
  • B: Relating to the lungs is pulmonary.
  • D: Relating to the brain is cerebral.
Source: HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge | Healthcare vocabulary
What does the word in single quotes mean as it is used in this sentence? Use the tongue blade to 'depress' the tongue so the throat can be seen.
A. Weaken
B. Make sad
C. Lower the price of
D. Press down
Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: D. Press down

Correct. To depress the tongue means to push it downward.

  • A: Weakening is not the meaning in this sentence.
  • B: Making sad is the emotional meaning, which does not apply to a tongue.
  • C: Lowering a price is an economic meaning that does not fit.
Source: HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge | Word in sentence context
Which word or phrase is closest in meaning to the word in single quotes? Diabetes is a 'chronic' condition that must be managed for life.
A. Sudden and severe
B. Easily cured
C. Caused by infection
D. Long-lasting or persistent
Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: D. Long-lasting or persistent

Correct. Chronic describes a condition that persists over a long time or recurs frequently.

  • A: Sudden and severe describes an acute condition.
  • B: Chronic conditions are by definition not easily cured.
  • C: Chronic refers to duration, not to cause.
Source: HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge | Healthcare vocabulary
Which word or phrase is closest in meaning to the word in single quotes? The patient's blood pressure readings confirmed 'hypertension'.
A. Abnormally high blood pressure
B. A rapid heart rate
C. Nervous tension
D. Abnormally low blood pressure
Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: A. Abnormally high blood pressure

Correct. Hyper- means excessive, so hypertension is persistently elevated blood pressure.

  • B: A rapid heart rate is tachycardia.
  • C: Hypertension is a physical measurement, not an emotional state.
  • D: Abnormally low blood pressure is hypotension.
Source: HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge | Healthcare vocabulary

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the CertQuestUSA HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge Practice Test practice test?
120 questions total, split into 2 full papers of 55 each with no repeats across papers.
What topics does the HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge Practice Test test cover?
3 domains, with the heaviest weight on Healthcare Vocabulary (42%), General Academic Vocabulary (33%), and Word In Sentence Context (25%).
Is there a free diagnostic for HESI A2 Vocabulary and General Knowledge Practice Test?
Yes -- 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.
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