Are flashcards effective for the HESI A2?

Yes. Flashcards use active recall — retrieving an answer from memory — which research shows is one of the most effective ways to make information stick, especially in short sessions over several days.

What topics do the HESI A2 flashcards cover?

The common HESI A2 sections: Mathematics (conversions, ratios, dosage), Reading, Vocabulary & General Knowledge, Grammar, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, and Chemistry — plus a few Physics cards for programs that require it.

How should I study with these flashcards?

First confirm which sections your program requires, then prioritize Math and Anatomy & Physiology, where most test-takers lose points. Mix the modes: flip to learn, type to test recall, match for speed, and quiz to check yourself.

Are the HESI A2 flashcards free?

Yes — 100% free, all four study modes, no paywall and no sign-up.

How many mg is 1 grain on the HESI A2?

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

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

What is the denominator?

The bottom number of a fraction.

What is an improper fraction?

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

What is a mixed number?

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

How do you add or subtract fractions?

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

How do you multiply fractions?

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

How do you divide fractions?

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

What is a reciprocal?

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

How do you simplify a fraction?

Divide the top and bottom by their greatest common factor.

How do you convert a percent to a decimal?

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

How do you convert a decimal to a percent?

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

How do you find a percent of a number?

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

What is the percent-change formula?

$ \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).

What is a proportion?

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

How do you cross-multiply a proportion?

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

What is the dosage calculation formula?

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

Solve 3:4 = x:100 for x.

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

Convert $ ^\circ F $ to $ ^\circ C $.

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

Convert $ ^\circ C $ to $ ^\circ F $.

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

Freezing and boiling point of water?

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

Roman numerals L, C, D, M?

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

What is IV in Roman numerals?

4 — a smaller symbol before a larger one subtracts.

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HESI A2 Flashcards

How many mg is 1 grain on the HESI A2?: 1 grain = 60 mg (the HESI value; the pure conversion is ~64.8 mg, but HESI rounds to 60).
1 kg = how many lb?: 1 kg = 2.2 lb.
1 inch = how many cm?: 1 inch = 2.54 cm.
1 L = how many mL?: 1 L = 1000 mL.
1 g = how many mg?: 1 g = 1000 mg.
1 kg = how many g?: 1 kg = 1000 g.
1 mg = how many mcg?: 1 mg = 1000 mcg.
1 m = how many cm?: 1 m = 100 cm.
1 cm = how many mm?: 1 cm = 10 mm.
1 cc = how many mL?: 1 cc = 1 mL.
1 tsp = how many mL?: 1 tsp = 5 mL.
1 tbsp = how many mL?: 1 tbsp = 15 mL (= 3 tsp).
1 fl oz = how many mL?: 1 fluid ounce = 30 mL.
1 cup = how many mL?: 1 cup = 240 mL (= 8 oz).
1 lb = how many oz?: 1 lb = 16 oz.
3 tsp = how many tbsp?: 3 tsp = 1 tbsp.
2 cups = ?: 2 cups = 1 pint.
2 pints = ?: 2 pints = 1 quart.
4 quarts = ?: 4 quarts = 1 gallon.
What is PEMDAS?: Order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply/Divide (left to right), Add/Subtract (left to right).
What is the numerator?: The top number of a fraction.
What is the denominator?: The bottom number of a fraction.
What is an improper fraction?: A fraction whose numerator is greater than or equal to its denominator (e.g., $\frac{7}{3}$ ).
What is a mixed number?: A whole number plus a fraction (e.g., $2\frac{1}{3}$ ).
How do you add or subtract fractions?: Find a common denominator first, then add or subtract the numerators.
How do you multiply fractions?: Multiply straight across (numerators and denominators), then simplify.
How do you divide fractions?: Multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction (keep, change, flip).
What is a reciprocal?: The fraction flipped: the reciprocal of $\frac{4}{3}$ is $\frac{3}{4}$ .
How do you simplify a fraction?: Divide the top and bottom by their greatest common factor.
How do you convert a percent to a decimal?: Divide by 100 (move the decimal two places left): $45\% = 0.45$ .
How do you convert a decimal to a percent?: Multiply by 100 (move the decimal two places right): $0.07 = 7\%$ .
How do you find a percent of a number?: Multiply: $20\% \text{ of } 80 = 0.20 \times 80 = 16$ .
What is the percent-change formula?: $\frac{\text{new} - \text{old}}{\text{old}} \times 100$ ; positive is an increase, negative a decrease.
What is a ratio?: A comparison of two quantities, written $a:b$ or $\frac{a}{b}$ (e.g., 3:4).
What is a proportion?: An equation stating that two ratios are equal: $\frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d}$ .
How do you cross-multiply a proportion?: For $\frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d}$ , set $a \times d = b \times c$ , then solve.
What is the dosage calculation formula?: Amount to give $= \frac{\text{Dose Ordered}}{\text{Dose on Hand}} \times \text{Quantity}$ .
Solve 3:4 = x:100 for x.: Cross-multiply: $4x = 300$ , so $x = 75$ .
Convert $^\circ F$ to $^\circ C$ .: $^\circ C = (^\circ F - 32) \times \frac{5}{9}$ .
Convert $^\circ C$ to $^\circ F$ .: $^\circ F = (^\circ C \times \frac{9}{5}) + 32$ .
Freezing and boiling point of water?: Freezes at $0^\circ C / 32^\circ F$ ; boils at $100^\circ C / 212^\circ F$ .
Roman numerals I, V, X?: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10.
Roman numerals L, C, D, M?: L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000.
What is IV in Roman numerals?: 4 — a smaller symbol before a larger one subtracts.
What is IX in Roman numerals?: 9.
What is XL in Roman numerals?: 40.
What is XC in Roman numerals?: 90.
What is CM in Roman numerals?: 900.
What is XCVI in Roman numerals?: 96 (XC = 90, VI = 6).
Military time: what is 1 p.m.?: 1300 (add 1200 to PM hours).
Military time: what is midnight?: 0000.
Military time: what is 11 p.m.?: 2300.
How do you convert a PM time to 24-hour time?: Add 1200 to the hour (3 p.m. → 1500).
Metric ladder mnemonic?: King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk = kilo-hecto-deca-base-deci-centi-milli; each step is a factor of 10.
What is the mean?: The average: the sum of the values divided by how many there are.
What is the median?: The middle value when the data are placed in order.
What is the mode?: The value that appears most frequently.
What is the range of a data set?: The maximum value minus the minimum value.
Convert $\frac{31}{50}$ to a decimal.: $\frac{31}{50} = \frac{62}{100} = 0.62$ (or $31 \div 50$ ).
Should you simplify your final fraction answer?: Yes — answer choices are almost always in lowest terms, so simplify before choosing.
Solve for x: $3x + 5 = 20$ .: Subtract 5 ( $3x = 15$ ), then divide by 3: $x = 5$ .
Convert 165 lb to kg.: Divide by 2.2: $165 \div 2.2 = 75$ kg.
What is the main idea of a passage?: The single most important point the whole passage supports — broader than any one detail.
What is the topic of a passage?: The general subject the passage is about — broader than the main idea.
What is a supporting detail?: A stated fact or example that backs up the main idea; never the main idea itself.
What is an inference?: A conclusion the passage logically supports but does not state; on HESI A2 it must stay close to the text.
What are the five author's purposes?: To inform, persuade, entertain, describe, or instruct.
What is tone in a passage?: The author's attitude toward the subject, judged from word choice (neutral, critical, enthusiastic, cautionary).
What is a fact?: A statement that can be verified as true or false.
What is an opinion?: A belief or judgment that cannot be verified; often signaled by best, should, or unfortunately.
What is a context clue?: A hint in the surrounding sentence — definition, contrast, example, or restatement — that reveals a word's meaning.
What does it mean to summarize?: To restate the main points of a passage briefly in your own words.
Cause-and-effect signal words?: because, so, therefore, as a result — one event triggers another.
Compare/contrast signal words?: however, unlike, similarly, whereas — two things measured against each other.
Sequence signal words?: first, next, then, finally — steps or events in order.
What is connotation?: The emotional or implied meaning a word carries beyond its literal definition.
The #1 rule of HESI A2 Reading?: Answer only from the passage — using outside knowledge is the biggest trap.
How do you answer an 'EXCEPT/NOT' reading question?: Find the three options the passage DOES support; the one left over is the answer.
Where is the main idea often stated?: In the first or last sentence of a paragraph (the topic sentence).
What's the difference between distance and displacement (in a reading-logic sense)?: In structure questions, distinguish total path/details (distance) from the direct point (displacement) — but more simply, read the question first, then scan.
What does 'acute' mean?: Sudden in onset and short but often severe (opposite: chronic).
What does 'chronic' mean?: Long-lasting and persistent.
What does 'benign' mean?: Not harmful; not cancerous.
What does 'malignant' mean?: Cancerous; tending to worsen or spread.
What does 'patent' mean (clinical)?: Open and unobstructed (a patent airway).
What does 'occluded' mean?: Blocked or closed off.
What does 'edema' mean?: Swelling caused by fluid.
What does 'lethargic' mean?: Sluggish, drowsy.
What does 'distended' mean?: Swollen, stretched out.
What does 'dilate' mean?: To widen or enlarge.
What does 'constrict' mean?: To narrow or tighten.
What does 'excrete' mean?: To expel waste from the body.
What does 'secrete' mean?: To release a substance (as a gland does).
What is a contraindication?: A reason NOT to use a particular treatment.
What does 'cessation' mean?: A stopping or ending (smoking cessation).
What is a prognosis?: The likely outcome of a condition.
What is a diagnosis?: The identification of a condition or disease.
What is etiology?: The cause of a disease.
What does 'latent' mean?: Present but not yet active or visible.
What is a manifestation?: An outward sign or symptom.
What does 'suppress' mean?: To hold back or reduce.
What does 'adverse' mean?: Harmful, unfavorable (an adverse reaction).
What does 'abstain' mean?: To refrain from doing something.
What does 'abate' mean?: To lessen or subside.
What does 'labile' mean?: Changeable, unstable.
What does 'tractable' mean?: Easily managed or controlled.
What does 'ambiguous' mean?: Unclear; open to more than one interpretation.
What does 'boorish' mean?: Rude, ill-mannered.
What does 'candid' mean?: Honest, frank.
What does 'concise' mean?: Brief and clear.
What is a discrepancy?: A difference or inconsistency.
What does 'exacerbate' mean?: To make worse.
What does 'impair' mean?: To weaken or damage.
What does 'pervasive' mean?: Spreading throughout.
What does 'prudent' mean?: Careful, sensible.
What is rapport?: A harmonious, trusting relationship.
What does 'virulent' mean?: Extremely harmful or infectious.
What does 'symmetric' mean?: Balanced, evenly arranged on both sides.
What does 'flushed' mean (skin)?: Reddened.
What does 'ingest' mean?: To take in by mouth.
What does 'sublingual' mean?: Under the tongue.
What does 'potent' mean?: Powerful or strong (a potent drug).
What does the suffix -itis mean?: Inflammation (arthritis = joint inflammation).
What does the suffix -ectomy mean?: Surgical removal (appendectomy).
What does the suffix -ology mean?: Study of (cardiology = study of the heart).
What does the suffix -emia mean?: A blood condition (anemia).
What does the prefix hyper- mean?: Excessive or above normal (hypertension).
What does the prefix hypo- mean?: Deficient or below normal (hypothermia).
What does the prefix tachy- mean?: Fast (tachycardia = fast heart rate).
What does the prefix brady- mean?: Slow (bradycardia = slow heart rate).
What does the prefix dys- mean?: Difficult or abnormal (dyspnea = difficult breathing).
What does the prefix a-/an- mean?: Without (apnea = without breathing).
What does the root 'cardi' mean?: Heart.
What is the strategy when a word is unfamiliar?: Break it into prefix, root, and suffix; then use the sentence's context clue and charge.
What is a noun?: A person, place, thing, or idea.
What is a pronoun?: A word that replaces a noun (he, she, it, they).
What is a verb?: A word expressing an action or state of being.
What is an adjective?: A word that modifies (describes) a noun.
What is an adverb?: A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb (often ends in -ly).
What is a preposition?: A word showing relationship in space or time (in, on, at, of).
What is a conjunction?: A word that joins words or clauses (and, but, because).
What is subject-verb agreement?: A verb must match its subject in number — a singular subject takes a singular verb.
Are indefinite pronouns like 'each' and 'everyone' singular or plural?: Singular — each, every, everyone, neither, and either take singular verbs.
Subject pronouns?: I, he, she, we, they (used as the subject of a sentence).
Object pronouns?: me, him, her, us, them — as in 'between you and me.'
Who vs. whom?: Who = subject; whom = object.
Its vs. it's?: Its = possessive; it's = it is.
Your vs. you're?: Your = possessive; you're = you are.
Than vs. then?: Than = comparison; then = time or sequence.
Accept vs. except?: Accept = to receive; except = to exclude.
Principal vs. principle?: Principal = main or head person; principle = a rule or belief.
Lose vs. loose?: Lose = to misplace; loose = not tight.
Fewer vs. less?: Fewer = countable items; less = uncountable amounts.
Affect vs. effect?: Affect = verb (to influence); effect = noun (a result). Hook: RAVEN.
Their / there / they're?: Their = possessive; there = place; they're = they are.
What is a fragment?: An incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.
What is a run-on / comma splice?: Two independent clauses wrongly joined; a comma splice joins them with only a comma.
How do you fix a comma splice?: Use a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
What is parallel structure?: Items in a list share the same grammatical form (reading, writing, and studying).
What does a semicolon do?: It joins two closely related independent clauses.
When do you use an apostrophe?: For possession (nurse's) and contractions (don't) — never for a plain plural.
What is a dangling/misplaced modifier?: A descriptive phrase placed next to the wrong word, creating an illogical sentence.
Subject-verb trap: 'The box of supplies ___ here.': is — the subject is 'box' (singular), not 'supplies.'
Adjective vs. adverb: 'She did ___.': well (adverb), not 'good' (adjective).
Superior vs. inferior?: Superior = above / toward the head; inferior = below / toward the feet.
Anterior vs. posterior?: Anterior (ventral) = toward the front; posterior (dorsal) = toward the back.
Medial vs. lateral?: Medial = toward the midline; lateral = away from the midline.
Proximal vs. distal?: Proximal = closer to the point of attachment; distal = farther from it.
What does the sagittal plane divide?: The body into left and right.
What does the frontal (coronal) plane divide?: The body into front and back.
What does the transverse plane divide?: The body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior).
What does the diaphragm do?: Separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities and drives breathing (contracts to inhale).
What are the four tissue types?: Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.
What is the epidermis?: The outer skin layer (no blood vessels).
What is the dermis?: The skin layer containing blood vessels, nerves, and glands.
What is the hypodermis?: The subcutaneous fat layer (insulation).
How many bones are in the adult body?: 206 bones.
Which is the longest, strongest bone?: The femur.
Which bone articulates with no other bone?: The hyoid.
What is ossification?: The process of bone formation.
Three muscle types?: Skeletal (voluntary, striated), cardiac (involuntary, heart), and smooth (involuntary, organs).
What does CNS stand for?: Central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord.
What does PNS stand for?: Peripheral nervous system — the nerves outside the CNS.
What is a neuron?: The nerve cell that conducts signals (dendrite → cell body → axon).
Afferent vs. efferent (mnemonic SAME)?: Sensory-Afferent (signals toward the CNS); Motor-Efferent (signals away to muscles).
Sympathetic vs. parasympathetic?: Sympathetic = 'fight or flight'; parasympathetic = 'rest and digest.'
What does the hypothalamus do?: Links the nervous and endocrine systems and controls the pituitary.
What is the 'master gland'?: The pituitary gland.
What does the anterior pituitary secrete?: GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH/LH, and prolactin.
What does the posterior pituitary release?: ADH and oxytocin.
What does the thyroid do?: Releases thyroxine (raises metabolism); its calcitonin lowers blood calcium.
Which gland raises blood calcium?: The parathyroid, via parathyroid hormone (PTH).
What does the adrenal gland release?: Cortisol, aldosterone, and epinephrine (stress response).
What does insulin do?: A pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose.
What does glucagon do?: A pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose.
Endocrine vs. exocrine gland?: Endocrine = ductless, secretes hormones into blood; exocrine = uses ducts (sweat, salivary).
Name the four heart chambers.: Right and left atria (receive) and right and left ventricles (pump).
Which heart chamber is largest/strongest?: The left ventricle — it pumps oxygenated blood to the whole body.
What is the tricuspid valve?: The right atrioventricular valve, with three cusps (R in LAB RAT).
What is the bicuspid (mitral) valve?: The left atrioventricular valve, with two cusps (L in LAB RAT).
What does the LAB RAT mnemonic mean?: Left = Bicuspid, Right = Tricuspid.
Trace the blood-flow path through the heart.: Vena cava → RA → tricuspid → RV → pulmonary valve → lungs → LA → mitral → LV → aortic valve → aorta.
What does an artery do?: Carries blood away from the heart.
What does a vein do?: Returns blood toward the heart.
Why is the pulmonary artery the exception?: It is the one artery carrying deoxygenated blood (right ventricle → lungs).
What is hemoglobin?: The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
What do platelets do?: Cell fragments that help blood clot.
What are alveoli?: The tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
What is the nephron?: The functional filtering unit of the kidney.
Trace the urinary path.: Kidney → ureter → bladder → urethra.
Where does most nutrient absorption occur?: In the small intestine.
What does the large intestine absorb?: Water.
What does the liver do?: Produces bile and detoxifies the blood.
Levels of organization (simple → complex)?: Chemical → cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism.
What is a carbohydrate?: An energy macromolecule; its monomer is a monosaccharide such as glucose.
What is a lipid?: Fats and oils; used for energy storage and membranes.
What is a protein?: A macromolecule built from amino acids; provides structure and enzymes.
What is a nucleic acid?: DNA or RNA; its monomer is a nucleotide.
What is an enzyme?: A protein catalyst that lowers activation energy and is not consumed.
Prokaryote vs. eukaryote?: Prokaryote = no nucleus (bacteria); eukaryote = has a nucleus and organelles.
What does the nucleus do?: Houses the DNA and controls the cell.
What do mitochondria do?: The 'powerhouse' — site of cellular respiration, making ATP.
What do ribosomes do?: Build proteins (protein synthesis).
Rough ER vs. smooth ER?: Rough ER (ribosome-studded) processes proteins; smooth ER makes lipids and detoxifies.
What does the Golgi apparatus do?: Packages, modifies, and ships proteins.
What do lysosomes do?: Digest waste and break down worn-out cell parts.
What does the chloroplast do?: Site of photosynthesis in plant cells.
What is the cell membrane?: A phospholipid bilayer that is selectively permeable.
What is diffusion?: Movement of particles from high to low concentration (passive, no ATP).
What is osmosis?: The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
What is active transport?: Movement from low to high concentration; requires ATP.
Write the cellular respiration equation.: $\ce{C6H12O6 + 6O2 -> 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP}$ .
Write the photosynthesis equation.: $\ce{6CO2 + 6H2O + light -> C6H12O6 + 6O2}$ .
What is glycolysis?: Glucose → 2 pyruvate in the cytoplasm; net 2 ATP.
What does the Krebs cycle produce?: NADH, $\ce{FADH2}$ , 2 ATP, and $\ce{CO2}$ (in the mitochondrial matrix).
What does the electron transport chain do?: Makes most of the ATP; $\ce{O2}$ is the final electron acceptor.
How much ATP per glucose (aerobic)?: About 36–38 ATP.
What does fermentation yield?: Anaerobic; only 2 ATP, plus lactic acid (animals) or ethanol + $\ce{CO2}$ (yeast).
What do the light reactions do?: Capture light to make ATP and NADPH and release $\ce{O2}$ (in the thylakoid).
What does the Calvin cycle do?: Fixes $\ce{CO2}$ into glucose using ATP and NADPH (in the stroma).
What is mitosis?: One division → two genetically identical diploid cells (growth and repair).
What is meiosis?: Two divisions → four genetically unique haploid gametes (reproduction).
Phases of mitosis (PMATC)?: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis.
Human diploid (2n) chromosome number?: 46.
Human haploid (n) chromosome number?: 23.
DNA base pairs?: A-T and G-C.
How does RNA differ from DNA?: RNA is single-stranded and uses uracil (U) instead of thymine.
What is transcription?: Making mRNA from DNA (in the nucleus).
What is translation?: Building a protein from mRNA at the ribosome.
What is the central dogma?: DNA → RNA → protein.
What is a codon?: Three mRNA bases that code for one amino acid.
What is the start codon?: AUG.
What is an allele?: A version of a gene.
Dominant vs. recessive allele?: Dominant (uppercase) masks the recessive; recessive (lowercase) shows only when homozygous.
Genotype vs. phenotype?: Genotype = genetic makeup (Bb); phenotype = the observed trait.
Homozygous vs. heterozygous?: Homozygous = two identical alleles (BB or bb); heterozygous = two different (Bb).
Result of a monohybrid cross $Bb \times Bb$ ?: Genotype 1:2:1; phenotype 3:1 (dominant:recessive).
What is a Punnett square?: A grid that predicts offspring genotype and phenotype ratios.
Taxonomy order (broad → specific)?: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
What is binomial nomenclature?: Naming a species by Genus and species (e.g., Homo sapiens).
What is an element?: A substance made of one type of atom.
What is a compound?: Two or more elements chemically bonded together.
What is a mixture?: Substances physically combined but not chemically bonded.
What is a homogeneous mixture?: A mixture that is uniform throughout (a solution).
Physical vs. chemical change?: Physical = no new substance (melting); chemical = a new substance forms (burning, rusting).
What is conservation of mass?: Matter is neither created nor destroyed in a reaction.
What is a proton?: A positively charged particle in the nucleus.
What is a neutron?: A neutral particle in the nucleus.
What is an electron?: A negatively charged particle in shells around the nucleus.
What is the atomic number (Z)?: The number of protons; it defines the element.
What is the mass number (A)?: Protons + neutrons (A = Z + N).
What is an isotope?: Atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons.
What is a cation?: A positive ion (lost electrons).
What is an anion?: A negative ion (gained electrons).
What are valence electrons?: Outer-shell electrons that drive chemical bonding.
Electron shell capacities (K, L, M, N)?: K = 2, L = 8, M = 18, N = 32.
Periodic group vs. period?: A group is a column (shared valence count); a period is a row.
What are the noble gases?: Group 18 — inert, with a full outer shell.
What are halogens?: Group 17 — very reactive nonmetals.
Electronegativity trend?: Increases toward the top-right of the table (fluorine is highest).
Atomic radius trend?: Decreases left → right; increases down a group.
What is an ionic bond?: Electron transfer, typically between a metal and a nonmetal ( $\ce{NaCl}$ ).
What is a covalent bond?: Electron sharing between nonmetals ( $\ce{H2O}$ ).
What is a metallic bond?: A 'sea of electrons' shared among metal atoms (conductive).
Synthesis reaction form?: $\ce{A + B -> AB}$ .
Decomposition reaction form?: $\ce{AB -> A + B}$ .
Single-replacement reaction form?: $\ce{A + BC -> AC + B}$ .
Double-replacement reaction form?: $\ce{AB + CD -> AD + CB}$ .
Combustion of methane?: $\ce{CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O}$ .
Neutralization reaction?: Acid + base → salt + water, e.g., $\ce{HCl + NaOH -> NaCl + H2O}$ .
How do you balance an equation?: Change the coefficients, never the subscripts (conservation of mass).
What is a mole?: $6.022 \times 10^{23}$ particles (Avogadro's number).
What is Avogadro's number?: $6.022 \times 10^{23}$ particles per mole.
Moles formula?: $n = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{molar mass}}$ .
Molar mass of $\ce{NaCl}$ ?: 58.5 g/mol (23 + 35.5).
Molecules in 2 mol $\ce{Cl2}$ ?: $2 \times 6.022 \times 10^{23} = 1.204 \times 10^{24}$ .
What is molarity (M)?: Moles of solute per liter of solution.
Dilution formula?: $M_1 V_1 = M_2 V_2$ .
Solute vs. solvent?: Solute = the dissolved substance; solvent = the substance doing the dissolving.
What does the pH scale measure?: Acidity, 0–14: below 7 acidic, 7 neutral, above 7 basic.
pH + pOH = ?: 14.
Name the strong acids.: $\ce{HCl}$ , $\ce{HNO3}$ , and $\ce{H2SO4}$ (they fully dissociate).
Name two strong bases.: $\ce{NaOH}$ and $\ce{KOH}$ .
What does OIL RIG mean?: Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain — of electrons.
What is an alpha particle (α)?: A helium nucleus (positive, heavy, low penetration).
What is a beta particle (β)?: A high-speed electron (negative).
What is a gamma ray (γ)?: High-energy radiation (neutral, deep penetration).
Boyle's law?: $P_1 V_1 = P_2 V_2$ (pressure and volume are inverse).
Charles's law?: $\frac{V_1}{T_1} = \frac{V_2}{T_2}$ (volume and temperature are direct, in Kelvin).
Ideal gas law?: $PV = nRT$ , with $R = 0.0821\ \text{L·atm/(mol·K)}$ .
Density formula?: $d = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}$ .
Speed vs. velocity?: Speed is distance divided by time (scalar); velocity is displacement divided by time (vector, with direction).
What is acceleration?: The change in velocity over time: $a = \frac{\Delta v}{t}$ , in $\text{m/s}^2$ .
Distance vs. displacement?: Distance is the total path traveled; displacement is the straight-line change in position (with direction).
Newton's first law?: An object stays at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by a net force (inertia).
Newton's second law?: $F = ma$ (force in newtons).
Newton's third law?: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Mass vs. weight?: Mass is constant matter; weight is a force, $W = mg$ with $g \approx 9.8\ \text{m/s}^2$ .
Work formula?: $W = F \times d$ (force times distance, in joules).
Kinetic energy formula?: $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$ (energy of motion).
Gravitational potential energy formula?: $PE = mgh$ (energy of position).
Power formula?: $P = \frac{W}{t}$ (rate of doing work, in watts).
Momentum formula?: $p = mv$ ; momentum is conserved in collisions.
Wave speed formula?: $v = f\lambda$ (frequency times wavelength).
Transverse vs. longitudinal wave?: Transverse vibrates perpendicular (light); longitudinal vibrates parallel (sound).
Does sound need a medium?: Yes — sound needs a medium; light (an EM wave) can travel through a vacuum.
Ohm's law?: $V = IR$ (voltage = current times resistance).
Series vs. parallel circuit?: Series = one path (current same throughout); parallel = multiple paths (voltage same across branches).
Electrical power formula?: $P = IV$ (current times voltage).
What is the conservation of energy?: Energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed (PE ↔ KE).

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By Career EmployerUpdated Jun 18, 2026

300+ free HESI A2 flashcards — 4 ways to study

HESI A2 Flashcard of the DayNew daily

The classic card. Do you know this one?

Click Study Flashcards above to open the flashcard hub — hundreds of HESI A2 cards you can flip, match, type, or quiz yourself on. Every card is drawn from the common HESI A2 sections, so you study exactly what the Admission Assessment tests.^[1] Pair them with our free practice test and study guide.

HESI A2 Flashcard Study Modes

Most flashcard sites give you one thing: a card to flip. Ours has four modes so you can both learn the material and prove you know it — the difference between recognizing an answer and recalling it under pressure.

Flip (Study) — the classic card. Flip term ↔ definition, shuffle the deck, and mark each card “Got it” or “Still learning.”
Match (Game) — a timed game: pair each term to its definition as fast as you can. Great for cementing vocabulary and conversions.
Type (Recall) — read the definition and type the term. Typing forces true active recall instead of passive recognition.
Quiz (Test) — multiple-choice questions generated from the cards, so you can self-test exactly like exam day.

Free HESI A2 flashcards from Career Employer — active recall for the nursing-school admission exam

Why Flashcards Work for the HESI A2

Flashcards aren’t busywork — they’re built on active recall: pulling an answer out of memory strengthens it far more than re-reading notes. Pair that with spacing — short sessions across several days rather than one cram — and you retain more in less time.

With several sections to cover, spaced flashcards are the most efficient way to keep it all fresh — especially the memorized math conversions and the heavy anatomy & physiology terms. Used alongside our practice test and study guide, they turn review time into measurable progress.

HESI A2 Flashcards by Section

The cards are organized by the common HESI A2 sections. Math and Anatomy & Physiology are where most test-takers lose points, so weight your drilling accordingly:^[3]

HESI A2 flashcards by section
Section	What the cards cover
Mathematics	Conversions, ratios & proportions, dosage, fractions/decimals/percents, Roman numerals, military time
Reading Comprehension	Main idea · supporting detail · inference · author's purpose · fact vs. opinion
Vocabulary & General Knowledge	Medical & academic vocabulary · prefixes, roots, and suffixes
Grammar	Agreement · sentence structure · punctuation · commonly confused words
Anatomy & Physiology	Cardiac blood flow & valves · endocrine glands & hormones · body systems
Biology	Cells & organelles · respiration vs. photosynthesis · cell division · DNA & genetics
Chemistry	Atomic structure · bonding · reaction types · the mole · acids, bases & pH

How to Get the Most Out of These Flashcards

Confirm your sections first. The HESI A2 is modular — don’t drill Chemistry or Physics cards if your program doesn’t require those sections.
Prioritize Math and A&P. They’re the most-missed sections — conversions, proportions, and cardiac anatomy can swing your score.
Use Type and Quiz, not just Flip. Recognizing the right answer is easy; recalling and choosing it is the real test.
Then prove it. When the cards feel easy, confirm with a full practice test — aim comfortably above your program’s cutoff before exam day.

HESI A2 Flashcards FAQ

Hundreds of free HESI A2 flashcards, organized across the exam's sections — math, reading, vocabulary, grammar, anatomy & physiology, biology, and chemistry. They're free to use with no account required.

References

1.Elsevier. “HESI Exam Solutions for Nursing (Admission Assessment Overview).” Elsevier.com. ↑
2.Elsevier / HESI. “Admission Assessment Exam Review, 6th Edition.” Elsevier. ↑
3.Elsevier Evolve. “HESI A2 and à la carte Exams (Modular Section Selection).” Elsevier Evolve. ↑
4.Elsevier Evolve. “Official HESI A2 Student Guide (Own Device).” Elsevier Evolve. ↑

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