what does parameter mean

HESI A2

HESI A2 Practice Vocabulary

1. What does 'Parameter' mean?

A. A constant variable
B. A characteristic or constant factor
C. A measurable limit
D. A calculated risk

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'A characteristic or constant factor.' In the context of systems or experiments, a parameter is a fixed element that influences the behavior or outcome. It is not a variable like in choice A, which can change. Choice C, 'A measurable limit,' is incorrect as a parameter is not necessarily a physical limit but a defining factor. Choice D, 'A calculated risk,' is unrelated to the definition of a parameter.

2. 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.

3. Another word for CONTEMPLATING is?

A. Impasse
B. Impartial
C. Pondering
D. Emending

Correct answer: C

Rationale: "Pondering" is another word for contemplating because it means to think about something carefully or thoroughly. Both terms imply deep reflection or consideration of a subject or idea. Therefore, "pondering" best captures the meaning of contemplating among the given choices.

4. Select the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence. What is the prognosis for those accident victims?

A. Expected outcome
B. Treatment option
C. Fabrication
D. Fabrication

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this sentence, the word 'prognosis' refers to the expected outcome or forecast for the accident victims. It indicates what is likely to happen in terms of their recovery or overall condition following the accident. Therefore, the correct meaning of the underlined word is the expected outcome, which is option A. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because 'prognosis' does not refer to a treatment option or fabrication.

5. What does Depth mean?

A. The thickness of an object
B. Downward measurement from a surface
C. The length of a surface
D. The area between two points

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Depth refers to the distance or downward measurement from a surface. It is not the thickness of an object (Choice A), as thickness is the measure of how thick or thin an object is, not necessarily related to depth. Additionally, it is not the length of a surface (Choice C) because length typically refers to the longest dimension of an object rather than its depth. Finally, it is not the area between two points (Choice D) because area is a measure of the space within a boundary defined by points, while depth specifically refers to the vertical distance below a surface.