Page 1 - Vocabulary Study Guide for the HESI Exam
General Information
Nurses with a greater range of vocabulary have greater chances of communicating correctly than those that do not. In the operating room or on the floor, nurses must be able to communicate effectively, and having a robust vocabulary is a key part of being able to do that.
The Vocabulary section of the HESI exam covers both medical vocabulary as well as vocabulary used in everyday language. Although it is impossible to memorize every word in the English language, mastering the following key concepts is essential to doing well on this portion of the test.
Medical Terminology
Unlike many other jobs, a medical position requires a working knowledge of a litany of concepts and terms that are largely foreign to the populace at large. To brush up on this aspect of the medical field, read as much and as frequently as possible. Read textbooks, medical journals, reports, and articles related to the medical field. This will allow you to catch a glimpse not only of terminology but of usage as well.
Study terms and their usage. While vocabulary is essential to communicating and understanding others in the medical field, you must not only be able to identify the meanings of words but also be able to put those words into action and place them properly in sentences. Be sure to also study context and placement.
Common Medical Prefixes and Their Meanings
Medical prefixes function the same way that standard prefixes do; they are placed at the beginning of a word to alter the meaning of a root word. In the medical field, prefixes are usually used to describe the state of a patient, or a procedure. Here is a list of the most common medical prefixes and their meanings:
a/ah―without
arteri―artery
arthro―bone joint
bi―twice/double
carcin―cancer
chol―bile
cis―on the same side of
crani―head/skull
cyt―cell
cerm―skin
ect―outer/outside
ferri―iron
gyn―woman
hema―blood
hist―tissue
hyster―uterus
kerat―cornea
kinesi―movement
lacto―milk
leuko―white
mast―breast
melan―black
necro―death
onco―tumor
osseo―bone
pan―all/entire
Common Medical Suffixes and Their Meanings
Like traditional suffixes, medical suffixes are used to bring further clarity to a root word and are attached to the end of a root word. These words are frequently applied to words to denote an operation or procedure. The most common medical suffixes are identified as follows:
ac/acal―of/pertaining to
aemia―blood condition
algia―pain
centesis―surgical puncture
crine―to secrete
cyte―cell
dynia ―pain
ectasis―expansion/dilation
ectomy―surgical procedure/removal
genic―formative
gnosis―knowledge
graph―record/picture
iasis―condition
iatry―field of medicine
icle―small
ismus―spasm/contraction
itis―inflammation
lysis―destruction/separation
oma―mass/collection
penia―deficiency
pepsia―digestion/digestive tract
plasty―repair/reconstruction
plexy―stroke/seizure
rrhagia―rapid flow of blood
scopy―viewing
tensive―pressure
General Vocabulary Concepts
Vocabulary is a word used to describe one’s verbal arsenal. Your vocabulary reflects significantly upon your breadth of knowledge, as it reveals how much exposure you have had to advanced concepts―not merely in the medical field, but in all academia, and even in day-to-day life. Someone with a well-rounded vocabulary is capable of retaining language needed to function on a coherent level with other adults and of engaging in more “high-level” discussions, such as one about current events or academic concepts.
The greatest asset in developing a solid vocabulary is the ability to read thoroughly and efficiently. While some amount of your vocabulary can be developed through speaking and practice, reading exposes you to words you might not encounter any other way, and it reveals methods of speaking you might not have considered outside of your social circle. To develop a well-rounded vocabulary, place your primary focus on reading items of all natures, ranging from magazine articles to academic journals, to novels. Exposure is key to nurturing an expansive vocabulary.
To assist in your development, three basic vocabulary concepts are identified: prefixes, suffixes, and root words.
Prefixes in General Use
A prefix is an add-on placed ahead of a word to change or enhance its meaning. “Pre” is an example of a prefix used to denote “before.” “Post” is another prefix used to denote “after.” The following is a list of the most common prefixes and their meanings.
anti―against
co―with/alongside
dis―not
ex―out of/former
il/im―not/without
inter―between
non―without
omni―all/every
post―after
pre―before
sub―under/below
trans―across
un―not
Suffixes in General Use
Suffixes are the opposite of prefixes; they come after a word, though they are still used to change or further explain a root word. Suffixes can be more difficult to identify than prefixes, but as you read, you will find that you are familiar with most of the common suffixes used in the English language today. The most frequently used suffixes denote the passage of time.
Here is a list of the most common suffixes:
able―capable/capable of being
ate―become
dom―place/state of being
er―more than/one who
esque―like/reminiscent of
ful―notable for
ish―having the quality of
ist―one who
ment―condition of
ness―state of being
ship―position held
y―characterized by
Roots
Roots (or “base words”) are words that contain the idea or thought being prevailed upon by prefixes and suffixes. In the word “beautiful,” for instance, the root of the word is “beauty,” while the suffix is “ful.”
Roots can be difficult to identify because they may require alteration to function with a prefix or suffix, as in the case of “beautiful.” For this reason, it is pivotal to familiarize yourself with common prefixes and suffixes; once you are familiar with the most common ones, you can more readily discover the root of words bearing additions. A few examples are given here:
preview: Pre is the prefix, while view is the root.
interchangeable: Inter is the prefix, change is the root, and able is the suffix.
fanciful: Fancy is the root, while ful is the suffix.