ATI - HESI Vocabulary Practice Test 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A nurse documents that a patient is 'febrile.' This term means the patient has:
- An elevated body temperature (Correct answer)
- Difficulty breathing
- Decreased urine output
- Swelling in the extremities
Correct answer: An elevated body temperature
'Febrile' comes from the Latin 'febris,' meaning fever. A febrile patient has a body temperature above the normal range (above 38°C / 100.4°F).
Question 2: The medical term 'dyspnea' refers to:
- Painful urination
- Difficulty swallowing
- Labored or difficult breathing (Correct answer)
- Abnormal heart rhythm
Correct answer: Labored or difficult breathing
The prefix 'dys-' means difficult or abnormal, and '-pnea' refers to breathing. Together, dyspnea describes shortness of breath or labored breathing.
Question 3: When a care plan states a patient is 'ambulatory,' it means the patient is:
- Confined to bed rest
- Able to walk (Correct answer)
- Receiving intravenous fluids
- Scheduled for surgery
Correct answer: Able to walk
'Ambulatory' derives from the Latin 'ambulare,' meaning to walk. An ambulatory patient is capable of walking and does not require a stretcher or bed transport.
Question 4: A physician orders 'NPO' for a patient before surgery. This means the patient should:
- Receive only clear liquids
- Have nothing by mouth (Correct answer)
- Be given pain medication only
- Limit physical activity
Correct answer: Have nothing by mouth
NPO stands for the Latin 'nil per os,' meaning 'nothing by mouth.' Patients are placed on NPO status before procedures or surgery to prevent aspiration.
Question 5: The word 'edema' in a patient's chart most accurately describes:
- Excessive bleeding
- Abnormal accumulation of fluid causing swelling (Correct answer)
- A skin rash or irritation
- Muscle weakness or wasting
Correct answer: Abnormal accumulation of fluid causing swelling
Edema refers to the buildup of excess fluid in the body's tissues, resulting in visible swelling. It commonly occurs in the ankles, feet, or hands.
Question 6: A patient's wound is described as having 'purulent' drainage. This means the drainage is:
- Clear and watery
- Containing pus (Correct answer)
- Bright red and bloody
- Thick and dark brown
Correct answer: Containing pus
'Purulent' comes from the Latin 'pus,' meaning pus. Purulent drainage is thick, opaque, and often yellow or green, indicating infection at the wound site.
ATI - HESI Vocabulary Practice Test 1
A nurse documents that a patient is 'febrile.' This term means the patient has: