what does instigate mean

HESI A2

Vocabulary HESI A2 Practice Test

1. What does instigate mean?

A. Deactivate
B. Activate
C. Suppress
D. Evaluate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Activate.' Instigate means to initiate or provoke a particular event or action. Choice A, 'Deactivate,' is incorrect as it means to make something inactive, which is the opposite of instigate. Choice C, 'Suppress,' is incorrect as it means to restrain or prevent something, not to initiate it. Choice D, 'Evaluate,' is incorrect as it means to assess or judge the value or quality of something, not to start or provoke it.

2. What does 'Contour' mean?

A. Flat area
B. Shape or outline of something
C. Volume of a structure
D. Height of a structure

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The term 'Contour' specifically refers to the shape or outline of something. In art and geography, contours are used to represent the outline or shape of an object or landform, making choice B the correct definition. Choice A, 'Flat area,' is incorrect as it does not capture the essence of contour which is about the shape or outline. Choice C, 'Volume of a structure,' is unrelated to the concept of contour. Choice D, 'Height of a structure,' is also incorrect as contour is more about the shape and not the height of an object.

3. What is the meaning of the word 'insidious' in the sentence 'The 'insidious' disease was well established before becoming apparent'?

A. Sudden
B. Suffer
C. Gradual
D. Graduate

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Gradual.' In the context provided, 'insidious' describes a disease that develops slowly and harmfully over time, without being easily noticed. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. 'Sudden' (choice A) means something happening quickly or unexpectedly, 'Suffer' (choice B) means to experience pain or hardship, and 'Graduate' (choice D) means to successfully complete a process or course of study, none of which capture the intended meaning of 'insidious' in this context.

4. The abbreviation YOB on a medical form refers to a patient’s ___________.

A. weight
B. ethnicity
C. symptoms
D. birthdate

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The abbreviation YOB stands for 'Year of Birth.' It is used on medical forms to refer to a patient's birthdate, indicating the year in which the individual was born. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because YOB does not pertain to weight, ethnicity, or symptoms; it specifically relates to the patient's birthdate.

5. Select the meaning of the word 'reflex' in the sentence: 'The typical patellar reflex takes only 50 milliseconds between the initial tap and the leg extension.'

A. Replication
B. Convulsion
C. Reaction
D. Stretching

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the context of the sentence, the word 'reflex' indicates a quick, automatic response by the body to a stimulus. The patellar reflex, also known as the knee-jerk reflex, involves the leg extending in response to a tap on the patellar tendon. Therefore, the word 'reaction' aligns closely with the nature of the patellar reflex in terms of a rapid and involuntary response. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: 'Replication' does not capture the concept of a bodily response, 'convulsion' implies a sudden and uncontrollable movement which is not specific to the nature of the patellar reflex, and 'stretching' does not encompass the automatic and rapid nature of a reflex action.