1|Page
ELSEVIER HESI A2 ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY ACTUAL EXAM 2026
|150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE |RATED A +
This comprehensive, exam-ready assessment is designed to mirror the
structure, rigor, and cognitive demands of the official Elsevier HESI A2
Anatomy and Physiology examination. It evaluates foundational
knowledge, applied physiology, and anatomy concepts across all major
body systems, while emphasizing clinical reasoning, real-world
healthcare scenarios, and professional standards relevant to pre-nursing
and allied health candidates. The exam balances recall, interpretation,
and problem-solving questions to assess readiness for healthcare
education and safe, effective clinical practice. It is suitable for high-
stakes exam preparation, academic review, and competency validation.
1. Which cellular organelle is primarily responsible for ATP
production during aerobic respiration?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Lysosome
The mitochondrion is the site of oxidative phosphorylation,
producing the majority of ATP required for cellular energy.
2. A patient presents with dehydration after prolonged vomiting.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
,2|Page
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Loss of fluids commonly leads to sodium depletion, resulting in
hyponatremia.
3. Which type of tissue lines the alveoli to facilitate gas exchange?
A. Stratified squamous epithelium
B. Simple squamous epithelium
C. Cuboidal epithelium
D. Pseudostratified epithelium
Simple squamous epithelium allows rapid diffusion of oxygen
and carbon dioxide.
4. During muscle contraction, calcium ions bind to which protein?
A. Myosin
B. Troponin
C. Tropomyosin
D. Actin
Calcium binding to troponin shifts tropomyosin, exposing
myosin-binding sites.
5. Which structure regulates heart rate by initiating electrical
impulses?
A. AV node
B. SA node
C. Purkinje fibers
D. Bundle of His
The sinoatrial node acts as the heart’s natural pacemaker.
6. A nurse explains that increased tidal volume during exercise
improves oxygen delivery. This occurs because of increased:
A. Diffusion distance
B. Alveolar ventilation
C. Residual volume
D. Dead space
Greater alveolar ventilation enhances oxygen uptake.
, 3|Page
7. Which hormone decreases blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
Insulin facilitates cellular glucose uptake, lowering blood
glucose.
8. Damage to the occipital lobe would most likely impair:
A. Speech
B. Hearing
C. Vision
D. Balance
The occipital lobe processes visual information.
9. Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the
heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Superior vena cava
D. Aorta
Pulmonary veins uniquely carry oxygenated blood to the heart.
10. A patient with kidney failure is unable to excrete hydrogen
ions. Which imbalance may result?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Impaired hydrogen ion excretion leads to metabolic acidosis.
11. Which bone protects the pituitary gland?
A. Frontal bone
B. Parietal bone
C. Sphenoid bone
D. Ethmoid bone
The sella turcica of the sphenoid bone houses the pituitary gland.
12. What is the primary function of red blood cells?
A. Immunity
ELSEVIER HESI A2 ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY ACTUAL EXAM 2026
|150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE |RATED A +
This comprehensive, exam-ready assessment is designed to mirror the
structure, rigor, and cognitive demands of the official Elsevier HESI A2
Anatomy and Physiology examination. It evaluates foundational
knowledge, applied physiology, and anatomy concepts across all major
body systems, while emphasizing clinical reasoning, real-world
healthcare scenarios, and professional standards relevant to pre-nursing
and allied health candidates. The exam balances recall, interpretation,
and problem-solving questions to assess readiness for healthcare
education and safe, effective clinical practice. It is suitable for high-
stakes exam preparation, academic review, and competency validation.
1. Which cellular organelle is primarily responsible for ATP
production during aerobic respiration?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Lysosome
The mitochondrion is the site of oxidative phosphorylation,
producing the majority of ATP required for cellular energy.
2. A patient presents with dehydration after prolonged vomiting.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
,2|Page
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Loss of fluids commonly leads to sodium depletion, resulting in
hyponatremia.
3. Which type of tissue lines the alveoli to facilitate gas exchange?
A. Stratified squamous epithelium
B. Simple squamous epithelium
C. Cuboidal epithelium
D. Pseudostratified epithelium
Simple squamous epithelium allows rapid diffusion of oxygen
and carbon dioxide.
4. During muscle contraction, calcium ions bind to which protein?
A. Myosin
B. Troponin
C. Tropomyosin
D. Actin
Calcium binding to troponin shifts tropomyosin, exposing
myosin-binding sites.
5. Which structure regulates heart rate by initiating electrical
impulses?
A. AV node
B. SA node
C. Purkinje fibers
D. Bundle of His
The sinoatrial node acts as the heart’s natural pacemaker.
6. A nurse explains that increased tidal volume during exercise
improves oxygen delivery. This occurs because of increased:
A. Diffusion distance
B. Alveolar ventilation
C. Residual volume
D. Dead space
Greater alveolar ventilation enhances oxygen uptake.
, 3|Page
7. Which hormone decreases blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
Insulin facilitates cellular glucose uptake, lowering blood
glucose.
8. Damage to the occipital lobe would most likely impair:
A. Speech
B. Hearing
C. Vision
D. Balance
The occipital lobe processes visual information.
9. Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the
heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Superior vena cava
D. Aorta
Pulmonary veins uniquely carry oxygenated blood to the heart.
10. A patient with kidney failure is unable to excrete hydrogen
ions. Which imbalance may result?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Impaired hydrogen ion excretion leads to metabolic acidosis.
11. Which bone protects the pituitary gland?
A. Frontal bone
B. Parietal bone
C. Sphenoid bone
D. Ethmoid bone
The sella turcica of the sphenoid bone houses the pituitary gland.
12. What is the primary function of red blood cells?
A. Immunity
