HESI A2 ADMISSION ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027
Complete 200-Question Test | Anatomy, Biology,
Chemistry, Grammar, Reading, Math
SECTION 1: Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–40)
Which chamber of the heart receives de-oxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena
cavae?
A. Left atrium
B. Right atrium
C. Right ventricle
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The right atrium is the first chamber to receive systemic venous return via the venae
cavae.
The hormone calcitonin is secreted by which gland?
A. Parathyroid
B. Thyroid
C. Adrenal cortex
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thyroid follicular cells release calcitonin, which lowers blood calcium.
Which term describes the movement of glucose from the lumen of the small intestine into the
blood against a concentration gradient?
A. Simple diffusion
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Active transport
D. Osmosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move glucose against its gradient.
Which bone is part of the axial skeleton?
A. Femur
B. Clavicle
C. Sternum
D. Metacarpal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sternum lies along the midline of the body and is part of the axial skeleton.
The normal pH of arterial blood is approximately:
A. 7.00
B. 7.25
C. 7.40
D. 7.60
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Arterial blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35–7.45; 7.40 is the midpoint.
Which valve prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium during ventricular systole?
A. Pulmonary valve
B. Tricuspid valve
C. Mitral (bicuspid) valve
D. Aortic valve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The mitral valve closes when left ventricular pressure exceeds left atrial pressure.
Which electrolyte is the primary determinant of intracellular fluid osmolality?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Chloride
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium is the dominant intracellular cation and governs intracellular water
balance.
The respiratory control center is located in the:
A. Cerebellum
B. Medulla oblongata
C. Hypothalamus
D. Cerebral cortex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The medulla contains the dorsal and ventral respiratory groups that set breathing
rhythm.
Which structure transmits urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder?
A. Urethra
B. Collecting duct
C. Ureter
D. Renal pelvis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each ureter conducts urine via peristalsis from renal pelvis to bladder.
Which layer of the epidermis contains actively dividing keratinocytes?
A. Stratum corneum
B. Stratum basale
C. Stratum lucidum
D. Stratum granulosum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The stratum basale (germinativum) houses stem cells that undergo mitosis.
Which blood vessel has the greatest total cross-sectional area in the systemic circulation?
A. Arterioles
B. Capillaries
C. Venules
D. Aorta
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Capillaries are numerous and microscopic, yielding the largest combined area.
The release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex is triggered primarily by:
A. ACTH
B. Low serum potassium
C. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
D. Atrial natriuretic peptide
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Renin converts angiotensinogen → ANG I → ANG II, which stimulates aldosterone
secretion.
Which type of muscle tissue is under involuntary control and contains intercalated discs?
A. Skeletal
B. Smooth
C. Cardiac
D. Striated voluntary
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac muscle is involuntary; intercalated discs contain gap junctions and
desmosomes.
Which cranial nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the
brain?
A. II (optic)
B. III (oculomotor)
C. IV (trochlear)
D. VI (abducens)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The optic nerve carries afferent signals from photoreceptors to the occipital cortex.
Which of the following best describes the function of surfactant?
A. Increases surface tension in alveoli
B. Decreases surface tension in alveoli
C. Promotes mucociliary clearance
D. Activates macrophages
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactant (type II pneumocytes) reduces surface tension, preventing alveolar
collapse.
Which hormone increases blood glucose by stimulating glycogenolysis in the liver?
A. Insulin
B. Cortisol
C. Glucagon
D. Estrogen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Glucagon raises blood glucose via glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis.
The anatomical term for “toward the midline” is:
A. Proximal
B. Distal
C. Medial
, D. Lateral
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medial indicates a structure is closer to the midsagittal plane.
Which leukocyte is the first to arrive at an acute inflammatory site?
A. Macrophage
B. Neutrophil
C. Eosinophil
D. Basophil
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neutrophils marginate and diapedese within minutes of tissue injury.
Which component of the nephron is solely responsible for creating the hyperosmotic medullary
gradient?
A. Proximal convoluted tubule
B. Thick ascending limb of loop of Henle
C. Distal convoluted tubule
D. Cortical collecting duct
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The water-impermeable thick ascending limb actively reabsorbs Na⁺/Cl⁻, diluting
tubular fluid.
Which organ stores and concentrates bile between meals?
A. Liver
B. Pancreas
C. Gallbladder
D. Duodenum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The gallbladder absorbs water and electrolytes, concentrating bile 5–10-fold.
Which spinal curvature is present at birth?
A. Lumbar lordosis
B. Thoracic kyphosis
C. Cervical lordosis
D. Sacral kyphosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thoracic kyphosis is the primary curve; cervical and lumbar lordoses develop with
head lifting and walking.
Which ion influx causes depolarization of the skeletal muscle fiber membrane?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Chloride
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels open, allowing Na⁺ influx and membrane depolarization.
Which phase of the cardiac cycle immediately follows ventricular ejection?
A. Isovolumetric relaxation
B. Ventricular filling
2026/2027
Complete 200-Question Test | Anatomy, Biology,
Chemistry, Grammar, Reading, Math
SECTION 1: Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–40)
Which chamber of the heart receives de-oxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena
cavae?
A. Left atrium
B. Right atrium
C. Right ventricle
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The right atrium is the first chamber to receive systemic venous return via the venae
cavae.
The hormone calcitonin is secreted by which gland?
A. Parathyroid
B. Thyroid
C. Adrenal cortex
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thyroid follicular cells release calcitonin, which lowers blood calcium.
Which term describes the movement of glucose from the lumen of the small intestine into the
blood against a concentration gradient?
A. Simple diffusion
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Active transport
D. Osmosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move glucose against its gradient.
Which bone is part of the axial skeleton?
A. Femur
B. Clavicle
C. Sternum
D. Metacarpal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sternum lies along the midline of the body and is part of the axial skeleton.
The normal pH of arterial blood is approximately:
A. 7.00
B. 7.25
C. 7.40
D. 7.60
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Arterial blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35–7.45; 7.40 is the midpoint.
Which valve prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium during ventricular systole?
A. Pulmonary valve
B. Tricuspid valve
C. Mitral (bicuspid) valve
D. Aortic valve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The mitral valve closes when left ventricular pressure exceeds left atrial pressure.
Which electrolyte is the primary determinant of intracellular fluid osmolality?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Chloride
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium is the dominant intracellular cation and governs intracellular water
balance.
The respiratory control center is located in the:
A. Cerebellum
B. Medulla oblongata
C. Hypothalamus
D. Cerebral cortex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The medulla contains the dorsal and ventral respiratory groups that set breathing
rhythm.
Which structure transmits urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder?
A. Urethra
B. Collecting duct
C. Ureter
D. Renal pelvis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each ureter conducts urine via peristalsis from renal pelvis to bladder.
Which layer of the epidermis contains actively dividing keratinocytes?
A. Stratum corneum
B. Stratum basale
C. Stratum lucidum
D. Stratum granulosum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The stratum basale (germinativum) houses stem cells that undergo mitosis.
Which blood vessel has the greatest total cross-sectional area in the systemic circulation?
A. Arterioles
B. Capillaries
C. Venules
D. Aorta
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Capillaries are numerous and microscopic, yielding the largest combined area.
The release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex is triggered primarily by:
A. ACTH
B. Low serum potassium
C. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
D. Atrial natriuretic peptide
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Renin converts angiotensinogen → ANG I → ANG II, which stimulates aldosterone
secretion.
Which type of muscle tissue is under involuntary control and contains intercalated discs?
A. Skeletal
B. Smooth
C. Cardiac
D. Striated voluntary
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac muscle is involuntary; intercalated discs contain gap junctions and
desmosomes.
Which cranial nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the
brain?
A. II (optic)
B. III (oculomotor)
C. IV (trochlear)
D. VI (abducens)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The optic nerve carries afferent signals from photoreceptors to the occipital cortex.
Which of the following best describes the function of surfactant?
A. Increases surface tension in alveoli
B. Decreases surface tension in alveoli
C. Promotes mucociliary clearance
D. Activates macrophages
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactant (type II pneumocytes) reduces surface tension, preventing alveolar
collapse.
Which hormone increases blood glucose by stimulating glycogenolysis in the liver?
A. Insulin
B. Cortisol
C. Glucagon
D. Estrogen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Glucagon raises blood glucose via glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis.
The anatomical term for “toward the midline” is:
A. Proximal
B. Distal
C. Medial
, D. Lateral
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medial indicates a structure is closer to the midsagittal plane.
Which leukocyte is the first to arrive at an acute inflammatory site?
A. Macrophage
B. Neutrophil
C. Eosinophil
D. Basophil
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neutrophils marginate and diapedese within minutes of tissue injury.
Which component of the nephron is solely responsible for creating the hyperosmotic medullary
gradient?
A. Proximal convoluted tubule
B. Thick ascending limb of loop of Henle
C. Distal convoluted tubule
D. Cortical collecting duct
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The water-impermeable thick ascending limb actively reabsorbs Na⁺/Cl⁻, diluting
tubular fluid.
Which organ stores and concentrates bile between meals?
A. Liver
B. Pancreas
C. Gallbladder
D. Duodenum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The gallbladder absorbs water and electrolytes, concentrating bile 5–10-fold.
Which spinal curvature is present at birth?
A. Lumbar lordosis
B. Thoracic kyphosis
C. Cervical lordosis
D. Sacral kyphosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thoracic kyphosis is the primary curve; cervical and lumbar lordoses develop with
head lifting and walking.
Which ion influx causes depolarization of the skeletal muscle fiber membrane?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Chloride
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels open, allowing Na⁺ influx and membrane depolarization.
Which phase of the cardiac cycle immediately follows ventricular ejection?
A. Isovolumetric relaxation
B. Ventricular filling
