Your FREE HESI A2 Flashcards 2026 – 300+ Cards

1 grain = 60 mg (the HESI value; the pure conversion is ~64.8 mg, but HESI rounds to 60).

1 kg = 2.2 lb.

1 inch = 2.54 cm.

1 L = 1000 mL.

1 g = 1000 mg.

1 kg = 1000 g.

1 mg = 1000 mcg.

1 m = 100 cm.

1 cm = 10 mm.

1 cc = 1 mL.

1 tsp = 5 mL.

1 tbsp = 15 mL (= 3 tsp).

1 fluid ounce = 30 mL.

1 cup = 240 mL (= 8 oz).

1 lb = 16 oz.

3 tsp = 1 tbsp.

2 cups = 1 pint.

2 pints = 1 quart.

4 quarts = 1 gallon.

Order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply/Divide (left to right), Add/Subtract (left to right).

The top number of a fraction.

The bottom number of a fraction.

A fraction whose numerator is greater than or equal to its denominator (e.g., $\frac{7}{3}$).

A whole number plus a fraction (e.g., $2\frac{1}{3}$).

Find a common denominator first, then add or subtract the numerators.

Multiply straight across (numerators and denominators), then simplify.

Multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction (keep, change, flip).

The fraction flipped: the reciprocal of $\frac{4}{3}$ is $\frac{3}{4}$.

Divide the top and bottom by their greatest common factor.

Divide by 100 (move the decimal two places left): $45\% = 0.45$.

Multiply by 100 (move the decimal two places right): $0.07 = 7\%$.

Multiply: $20\% \text{ of } 80 = 0.20 \times 80 = 16$.

$\frac{\text{new} - \text{old}}{\text{old}} \times 100$; positive is an increase, negative a decrease.

A comparison of two quantities, written $a:b$ or $\frac{a}{b}$ (e.g., 3:4).

An equation stating that two ratios are equal: $\frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d}$.

For $\frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d}$, set $a \times d = b \times c$, then solve.

Amount to give $= \frac{\text{Dose Ordered}}{\text{Dose on Hand}} \times \text{Quantity}$.

Cross-multiply: $4x = 300$, so $x = 75$.

$^\circ C = (^\circ F - 32) \times \frac{5}{9}$.

$^\circ F = (^\circ C \times \frac{9}{5}) + 32$.

Freezes at $0^\circ C / 32^\circ F$; boils at $100^\circ C / 212^\circ F$.

I = 1, V = 5, X = 10.

L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000.

4 — a smaller symbol before a larger one subtracts.

9.

40.

90.

900.

96 (XC = 90, VI = 6).

1300 (add 1200 to PM hours).

0000.

2300.

Add 1200 to the hour (3 p.m. → 1500).

King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk = kilo-hecto-deca-base-deci-centi-milli; each step is a factor of 10.

The average: the sum of the values divided by how many there are.

The middle value when the data are placed in order.

The value that appears most frequently.

The maximum value minus the minimum value.

$\frac{31}{50} = \frac{62}{100} = 0.62$ (or $31 \div 50$).

Yes — answer choices are almost always in lowest terms, so simplify before choosing.

Subtract 5 ($3x = 15$), then divide by 3: $x = 5$.

Divide by 2.2: $165 \div 2.2 = 75$ kg.

The single most important point the whole passage supports — broader than any one detail.

The general subject the passage is about — broader than the main idea.

A stated fact or example that backs up the main idea; never the main idea itself.

A conclusion the passage logically supports but does not state; on HESI A2 it must stay close to the text.

To inform, persuade, entertain, describe, or instruct.

The author's attitude toward the subject, judged from word choice (neutral, critical, enthusiastic, cautionary).

A statement that can be verified as true or false.

A belief or judgment that cannot be verified; often signaled by best, should, or unfortunately.

A hint in the surrounding sentence — definition, contrast, example, or restatement — that reveals a word's meaning.

To restate the main points of a passage briefly in your own words.

because, so, therefore, as a result — one event triggers another.

however, unlike, similarly, whereas — two things measured against each other.

first, next, then, finally — steps or events in order.

The emotional or implied meaning a word carries beyond its literal definition.

Answer only from the passage — using outside knowledge is the biggest trap.

Find the three options the passage DOES support; the one left over is the answer.

In the first or last sentence of a paragraph (the topic sentence).

In structure questions, distinguish total path/details (distance) from the direct point (displacement) — but more simply, read the question first, then scan.

Sudden in onset and short but often severe (opposite: chronic).

Long-lasting and persistent.

Not harmful; not cancerous.

Cancerous; tending to worsen or spread.

Open and unobstructed (a patent airway).

Blocked or closed off.

Swelling caused by fluid.

Sluggish, drowsy.

Swollen, stretched out.

To widen or enlarge.

To narrow or tighten.

To expel waste from the body.

To release a substance (as a gland does).

A reason NOT to use a particular treatment.

A stopping or ending (smoking cessation).

The likely outcome of a condition.

The identification of a condition or disease.

The cause of a disease.

Present but not yet active or visible.

An outward sign or symptom.

To hold back or reduce.

Harmful, unfavorable (an adverse reaction).

To refrain from doing something.

To lessen or subside.

Changeable, unstable.

Easily managed or controlled.

Unclear; open to more than one interpretation.

Rude, ill-mannered.

Honest, frank.

Brief and clear.

A difference or inconsistency.

To make worse.

To weaken or damage.

Spreading throughout.

Careful, sensible.

A harmonious, trusting relationship.

Extremely harmful or infectious.

Balanced, evenly arranged on both sides.

Reddened.

To take in by mouth.

Under the tongue.

Powerful or strong (a potent drug).

Inflammation (arthritis = joint inflammation).

Surgical removal (appendectomy).

Study of (cardiology = study of the heart).

A blood condition (anemia).

Excessive or above normal (hypertension).

Deficient or below normal (hypothermia).

Fast (tachycardia = fast heart rate).

Slow (bradycardia = slow heart rate).

Difficult or abnormal (dyspnea = difficult breathing).

Without (apnea = without breathing).

Heart.

Break it into prefix, root, and suffix; then use the sentence's context clue and charge.

A person, place, thing, or idea.

A word that replaces a noun (he, she, it, they).

A word expressing an action or state of being.

A word that modifies (describes) a noun.

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb (often ends in -ly).

A word showing relationship in space or time (in, on, at, of).

A word that joins words or clauses (and, but, because).

A verb must match its subject in number — a singular subject takes a singular verb.

Singular — each, every, everyone, neither, and either take singular verbs.

I, he, she, we, they (used as the subject of a sentence).

me, him, her, us, them — as in 'between you and me.'

Who = subject; whom = object.

Its = possessive; it's = it is.

Your = possessive; you're = you are.

Than = comparison; then = time or sequence.

Accept = to receive; except = to exclude.

Principal = main or head person; principle = a rule or belief.

Lose = to misplace; loose = not tight.

Fewer = countable items; less = uncountable amounts.

Affect = verb (to influence); effect = noun (a result). Hook: RAVEN.

Their = possessive; there = place; they're = they are.

An incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.

Two independent clauses wrongly joined; a comma splice joins them with only a comma.

Use a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

Items in a list share the same grammatical form (reading, writing, and studying).

It joins two closely related independent clauses.

For possession (nurse's) and contractions (don't) — never for a plain plural.

A descriptive phrase placed next to the wrong word, creating an illogical sentence.

is — the subject is 'box' (singular), not 'supplies.'

well (adverb), not 'good' (adjective).

Superior = above / toward the head; inferior = below / toward the feet.

Anterior (ventral) = toward the front; posterior (dorsal) = toward the back.

Medial = toward the midline; lateral = away from the midline.

Proximal = closer to the point of attachment; distal = farther from it.

The body into left and right.

The body into front and back.

The body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior).

Separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and drives breathing (contracts to inhale).

Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.

The outer skin layer (no blood vessels).

The skin layer containing blood vessels, nerves, and glands.

The subcutaneous fat layer (insulation).

206 bones.

The femur.

The hyoid.

The process of bone formation.

Skeletal (voluntary, striated), cardiac (involuntary, heart), and smooth (involuntary, organs).

Central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system — the nerves outside the CNS.

The nerve cell that conducts signals (dendrite → cell body → axon).

Sensory-Afferent (signals toward the CNS); Motor-Efferent (signals away to muscles).

Sympathetic = 'fight or flight'; parasympathetic = 'rest and digest.'

Links the nervous and endocrine systems and controls the pituitary.

The pituitary gland.

GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH/LH, and prolactin.

ADH and oxytocin.

Releases thyroxine (raises metabolism); its calcitonin lowers blood calcium.

The parathyroid, via parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Cortisol, aldosterone, and epinephrine (stress response).

A pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose.

A pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose.

Endocrine = ductless, secretes hormones into blood; exocrine = uses ducts (sweat, salivary).

Right and left atria (receive) and right and left ventricles (pump).

The left ventricle — it pumps oxygenated blood to the whole body.

The right atrioventricular valve, with three cusps (R in LAB RAT).

The left atrioventricular valve, with two cusps (L in LAB RAT).

Left = Bicuspid, Right = Tricuspid.

Vena cava → RA → tricuspid → RV → pulmonary valve → lungs → LA → mitral → LV → aortic valve → aorta.

Carries blood away from the heart.

Returns blood toward the heart.

It is the one artery carrying deoxygenated blood (right ventricle → lungs).

The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Cell fragments that help blood clot.

The tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

The functional filtering unit of the kidney.

Kidney → ureter → bladder → urethra.

In the small intestine.

Water.

Produces bile and detoxifies the blood.

Chemical → cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism.

An energy macromolecule; its monomer is a monosaccharide such as glucose.

Fats and oils; used for energy storage and membranes.

A macromolecule built from amino acids; provides structure and enzymes.

DNA or RNA; its monomer is a nucleotide.

A protein catalyst that lowers activation energy and is not consumed.

Prokaryote = no nucleus (bacteria); eukaryote = has a nucleus and organelles.

Houses the DNA and controls the cell.

The 'powerhouse' — site of cellular respiration, making ATP.

Build proteins (protein synthesis).

Rough ER (ribosome-studded) processes proteins; smooth ER makes lipids and detoxifies.

Packages, modifies, and ships proteins.

Digest waste and break down worn-out cell parts.

Site of photosynthesis in plant cells.

A phospholipid bilayer that is selectively permeable.

Movement of particles from high to low concentration (passive, no ATP).

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Movement from low to high concentration; requires ATP.

$\ce{C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP}$.

$\ce{6CO2 + 6H2O + light -> C6H12O6 + 6O2}$.

Glucose → 2 pyruvate in the cytoplasm; net 2 ATP.

NADH, $\ce{FADH2}$, 2 ATP, and $\ce{CO2}$ (in the mitochondrial matrix).

Makes most of the ATP; $\ce{O2}$ is the final electron acceptor.

About 36–38 ATP.

Anaerobic; only 2 ATP, plus lactic acid (animals) or ethanol + $\ce{CO2}$ (yeast).

Capture light to make ATP and NADPH and release $\ce{O2}$ (in the thylakoid).

Fixes $\ce{CO2}$ into glucose using ATP and NADPH (in the stroma).

One division → two genetically identical diploid cells (growth and repair).

Two divisions → four genetically unique haploid gametes (reproduction).

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis.

46.

23.

A-T and G-C.

RNA is single-stranded and uses uracil (U) instead of thymine.

Making mRNA from DNA (in the nucleus).

Building a protein from mRNA at the ribosome.

DNA → RNA → protein.

Three mRNA bases that code for one amino acid.

AUG.

A version of a gene.

Dominant (uppercase) masks the recessive; recessive (lowercase) shows only when homozygous.

Genotype = genetic makeup (Bb); phenotype = the observed trait.

Homozygous = two identical alleles (BB or bb); heterozygous = two different (Bb).

Genotype 1:2:1; phenotype 3:1 (dominant:recessive).

A grid that predicts offspring genotype and phenotype ratios.

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Naming a species by Genus and species (e.g., Homo sapiens).

A substance made of one type of atom.

Two or more elements chemically bonded together.

Substances physically combined but not chemically bonded.

A mixture that is uniform throughout (a solution).

Physical = no new substance (melting); chemical = a new substance forms (burning, rusting).

Matter is neither created nor destroyed in a reaction.

A positively charged particle in the nucleus.

A neutral particle in the nucleus.

A negatively charged particle in shells around the nucleus.

The number of protons; it defines the element.

Protons + neutrons (A = Z + N).

Atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons.

A positive ion (lost electrons).

A negative ion (gained electrons).

Outer-shell electrons that drive chemical bonding.

K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 32.

A group is a column (shared valence count); a period is a row.

Group 18 — inert, with a full outer shell.

Group 17 — very reactive nonmetals.

Increases toward the top-right of the table (fluorine is highest).

Decreases left → right; increases down a group.

Electron transfer, typically between a metal and a nonmetal ($\ce{NaCl}$).

Electron sharing between nonmetals ($\ce{H2O}$).

A 'sea of electrons' shared among metal atoms (conductive).

$\ce{A + B -> AB}$.

$\ce{AB -> A + B}$.

$\ce{A + BC -> AC + B}$.

$\ce{AB + CD -> AD + CB}$.

$\ce{CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O}$.

Acid + base → salt + water, e.g., $\ce{HCl + NaOH -> NaCl + H2O}$.

Change the coefficients, never the subscripts (conservation of mass).

$6.022 \times 10^{23}$ particles (Avogadro's number).

$6.022 \times 10^{23}$ particles per mole.

$n = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{molar mass}}$.

58.5 g/mol (23 + 35.5).

$2 \times 6.022 \times 10^{23} = 1.204 \times 10^{24}$.

Moles of solute per liter of solution.

$M_1 V_1 = M_2 V_2$.

Solute = the dissolved substance; solvent = the substance doing the dissolving.

Acidity, 0–14: below 7 acidic, 7 neutral, above 7 basic.

14.

$\ce{HCl}$, $\ce{HNO3}$, and $\ce{H2SO4}$ (they fully dissociate).

$\ce{NaOH}$ and $\ce{KOH}$.

Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain — of electrons.

A helium nucleus (positive, heavy, low penetration).

A high-speed electron (negative).

High-energy radiation (neutral, deep penetration).

$P_1 V_1 = P_2 V_2$ (pressure and volume are inverse).

$\frac{V_1}{T_1} = \frac{V_2}{T_2}$ (volume and temperature are direct, in Kelvin).

$PV = nRT$, with $R = 0.0821\ \text{L·atm/(mol·K)}$.

$d = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}$.

Speed is distance divided by time (scalar); velocity is displacement divided by time (vector, with direction).

The change in velocity over time: $a = \frac{\Delta v}{t}$, in $\text{m/s}^2$.

Distance is the total path traveled; displacement is the straight-line change in position (with direction).

An object stays at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by a net force (inertia).

$F = ma$ (force in newtons).

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Mass is constant matter; weight is a force, $W = mg$ with $g \approx 9.8\ \text{m/s}^2$.

$W = F \times d$ (force times distance, in joules).

$KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$ (energy of motion).

$PE = mgh$ (energy of position).

$P = \frac{W}{t}$ (rate of doing work, in watts).

$p = mv$; momentum is conserved in collisions.

$v = f\lambda$ (frequency times wavelength).

Transverse vibrates perpendicular (light); longitudinal vibrates parallel (sound).

Yes — sound needs a medium; light (an EM wave) can travel through a vacuum.

$V = IR$ (voltage = current times resistance).

Series = one path (current same throughout); parallel = multiple paths (voltage same across branches).

$P = IV$ (current times voltage).

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed (PE ↔ KE).