what does bifurcate mean

HESI A2

HESI A2 Vocabulary 2023

1. 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.

2. Choose the meaning of the word progeny in the following sentence: 'This is a disease that is likely to recur in a patient’s progeny.'

A. Chest
B. Hormones
C. Offspring
D. Lifetime

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the given sentence, the word 'progeny' means descendants or offspring. It refers to the children or future generations of the patient. Choice A, 'Chest,' is incorrect as it does not relate to the context of the sentence. Choice B, 'Hormones,' is also incorrect as it is not synonymous with 'progeny.' Choice D, 'Lifetime,' is unrelated to the concept of offspring, making it an incorrect choice.

3. A remedy may cure certain ailments. Another word for this might be ___________.

A. inoculation
B. indicator
C. nostrum
D. serum

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A "nostrum" is a term used to describe a questionable or untested remedy or medication that claims to cure ailments. In this context, as a remedy is suggested to cure certain ailments, "nostrum" fits best in providing an alternative word that aligns with the situation. The other choices are not synonyms for a remedy that cures ailments. 'Inoculation' refers to the introduction of a vaccine, 'indicator' is something that provides information or signals, and 'serum' is a component of blood or a medication, none of which directly align with the concept of a remedy curing ailments.

4. What is the best description for the abbreviation LDL?

A. A group of denominations
B. A type of lipoprotein
C. Self-care mobility skills
D. A certain digital value

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: A type of lipoprotein. LDL stands for Low-density lipoprotein, which is a type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol through the bloodstream. LDL is often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol because high levels of LDL can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the abbreviation LDL.

5. He ate four pieces of fried chicken at dinner, and _____ vegetables.

A. no
B. some
C. little
D. few

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'no' as it implies the absence of vegetables, indicating that he did not consume any vegetables along with the fried chicken. 'Some' (choice B) implies an unspecified quantity of vegetables were eaten, 'little' (choice C) implies a small amount of vegetables, and 'few' (choice D) is used for countable items, not for uncountable items like vegetables.