NEWEST HESI A2 Nursing Entrance Exam
2026–2027
Verified Questions & Answers with Full Rationales
Health Sciences Admission Success Pack
INTRODUCTION TO THE HESI A2 EXAM
The HESI A2 Nursing Entrance Examination is widely used by nursing schools and allied health
programs to assess academic readiness for healthcare education. The exam evaluates a student's
ability in core academic subjects including mathematics, reading comprehension, grammar,
biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, vocabulary, and physics.
This comprehensive success pack provides:
• Hundreds of realistic exam-style questions
• Detailed answer explanations
• Rationales for correct and incorrect answers
• Study tips and exam strategies
• Full-length practice examinations
• High-yield review summaries
SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Cardiovascular System
Question 1
Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
,C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer
D. Left ventricle
Rationale
The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood through the aorta to the systemic circulation. It has
the thickest muscular wall because it must generate high pressure to circulate blood throughout
the body.
Question 2
What is the primary function of red blood cells?
A. Fight infection
B. Carry oxygen
C. Produce antibodies
D. Form blood clots
Correct Answer
B. Carry oxygen
Rationale
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen in the lungs and transports it to
tissues throughout the body.
Question 3
Which blood vessel carries blood away from the heart?
A. Vein
B. Capillary
C. Artery
D. Venule
Correct Answer
,C. Artery
Rationale
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins return blood back to the heart.
Question 4
The sinoatrial node is commonly known as the:
A. Heart valve
B. Pacemaker
C. Blood filter
D. Pulmonary node
Correct Answer
B. Pacemaker
Rationale
The sinoatrial (SA) node initiates electrical impulses that regulate the heartbeat.
Question 5
Which component of blood is responsible for clotting?
A. Plasma
B. Leukocytes
C. Erythrocytes
D. Platelets
Correct Answer
D. Platelets
Rationale
Platelets help stop bleeding by forming clots at sites of vessel injury.
, Respiratory System
Question 6
Gas exchange occurs in which structure of the lungs?
A. Bronchi
B. Trachea
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Correct Answer
C. Alveoli
Rationale
Alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between air and blood.
Question 7
Which muscle is primarily responsible for breathing?
A. Deltoid
B. Diaphragm
C. Trapezius
D. Biceps
Correct Answer
B. Diaphragm
Rationale
The diaphragm contracts during inhalation, increasing thoracic cavity volume and drawing air
into the lungs.
Question 8
The trachea is also known as the:
2026–2027
Verified Questions & Answers with Full Rationales
Health Sciences Admission Success Pack
INTRODUCTION TO THE HESI A2 EXAM
The HESI A2 Nursing Entrance Examination is widely used by nursing schools and allied health
programs to assess academic readiness for healthcare education. The exam evaluates a student's
ability in core academic subjects including mathematics, reading comprehension, grammar,
biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, vocabulary, and physics.
This comprehensive success pack provides:
• Hundreds of realistic exam-style questions
• Detailed answer explanations
• Rationales for correct and incorrect answers
• Study tips and exam strategies
• Full-length practice examinations
• High-yield review summaries
SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Cardiovascular System
Question 1
Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
,C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer
D. Left ventricle
Rationale
The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood through the aorta to the systemic circulation. It has
the thickest muscular wall because it must generate high pressure to circulate blood throughout
the body.
Question 2
What is the primary function of red blood cells?
A. Fight infection
B. Carry oxygen
C. Produce antibodies
D. Form blood clots
Correct Answer
B. Carry oxygen
Rationale
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen in the lungs and transports it to
tissues throughout the body.
Question 3
Which blood vessel carries blood away from the heart?
A. Vein
B. Capillary
C. Artery
D. Venule
Correct Answer
,C. Artery
Rationale
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins return blood back to the heart.
Question 4
The sinoatrial node is commonly known as the:
A. Heart valve
B. Pacemaker
C. Blood filter
D. Pulmonary node
Correct Answer
B. Pacemaker
Rationale
The sinoatrial (SA) node initiates electrical impulses that regulate the heartbeat.
Question 5
Which component of blood is responsible for clotting?
A. Plasma
B. Leukocytes
C. Erythrocytes
D. Platelets
Correct Answer
D. Platelets
Rationale
Platelets help stop bleeding by forming clots at sites of vessel injury.
, Respiratory System
Question 6
Gas exchange occurs in which structure of the lungs?
A. Bronchi
B. Trachea
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Correct Answer
C. Alveoli
Rationale
Alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between air and blood.
Question 7
Which muscle is primarily responsible for breathing?
A. Deltoid
B. Diaphragm
C. Trapezius
D. Biceps
Correct Answer
B. Diaphragm
Rationale
The diaphragm contracts during inhalation, increasing thoracic cavity volume and drawing air
into the lungs.
Question 8
The trachea is also known as the:
