what does it mean if a patient is lethargic

HESI A2

Vocabulary for HESI A2

1. What does it mean if a patient is lethargic?

A. Active
B. Exhausted
C. Confused
D. Restless

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Lethargic means feeling exhausted or sluggish. Being lethargic is the opposite of being active (choice A), confused (choice C), or restless (choice D). When a patient is lethargic, they lack energy and may appear tired or sluggish.

2. To critique something is to ___________.

A. appraise it
B. condemn it
C. extol it
D. berate it

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To critique something means to evaluate and judge it, often pointing out its faults or shortcomings. Condemning something implies expressing strong disapproval or criticism of it, which aligns closely with the concept of critiquing. 'Appraise' means to assess the value or quality of something, which is not necessarily negative. 'Extol' means to praise highly, which is the opposite of critiquing. 'Berate' means to scold or criticize someone angrily, which is not the same as objectively evaluating something as in critiquing. Therefore, 'condemn it' is the most suitable choice among the given options.

3. What does bifurcate mean?

A. Fold twice
B. Flower biannually
C. Divide in two forks
D. Pierce two openings

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Bifurcate means to divide into two forks or branches. It comes from the Latin word "bi" meaning two and "furca" meaning fork. So, when something bifurcates, it splits into two separate paths or divisions. Choice A, "Fold twice," is incorrect as bifurcate doesn't involve folding. Choice B, "Flower biannually," is unrelated to the meaning of bifurcate. Choice D, "Pierce two openings," is also incorrect as it does not capture the true essence of bifurcate, which is about dividing into two forks or branches.

4. What does Distended mean?

A. Shrunken
B. Enlarged or expanded from pressure
C. Collapsed
D. Constricted

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Distended means enlarged or expanded from pressure. The term 'shrunken' (Choice A) means reduced in size, 'collapsed' (Choice C) means fallen in or disintegrated, and 'constricted' (Choice D) means narrowed or tightened. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

5. Choose the meaning of the word 'coterie' in the following sentence: 'Julia and her coterie are often out at local clubs until the wee hours.'

A. A close group of friends
B. An extended family
C. An engaged person
D. A manager or director

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this context, the word 'coterie' refers to a small group of people who share similar interests or activities, typically a close-knit circle of friends. The other choices are incorrect. 'An extended family' refers to relatives beyond the nuclear family, 'an engaged person' is someone committed to be married, and 'a manager or director' are job roles unrelated to the context of the sentence.