HESI American Career College Practice Exam

The word that means “Desired” is preferred. When something is preferred, it is the option that someone selects or favors over others because it is viewed as better or more desirable. This sense of favoring one choice over alternatives is exactly what “desired” conveys.

Think of how you’d use it in real life: a patient might have a preferred method of providing care, or a restaurant might note a customer’s preferred seating. That shows the option they want or consider most desirable.

Why the others don’t fit as well: primary refers to something first in order or most important, which isn’t the same as being desired or favored. potent describes strength or power, especially of a drug, not desirability. preexisting means existing beforehand, which has nothing to do with preference or desire.