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**Exam Title:** HESI A2 Entrance Exam –
Science Section (High-Yield)
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**1. Which structure in the nephron is primarily responsible for the reabsorption of water and sodium
under hormonal influence?**
A) Proximal convoluted tubule
B) Loop of Henle
C) Distal convoluted tubule
D) Glomerulus
💡 **RATIONALE** – The distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and collecting duct are where aldosterone (Na+
reabsorption) and ADH (water reabsorption) exert their effects. The PCT does bulk reabsorption but is
less hormonally regulated.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Distal convoluted tubule
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**2. A patient’s blood type is A positive. Which blood types can they safely receive in a transfusion?**
A) A+ and A- only
B) A+, A-, O+, and O-
C) A+ and O+ only
D) A+, B+, AB+, O+
,💡 **RATIONALE** – Blood type A can receive from A and O. Rh-positive can receive Rh-positive or Rh-
negative. Therefore, A+, A-, O+, O- are all compatible.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) A+, A-, O+, and O-
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**3. Which of the following best describes the function of the foramen ovale in the fetal heart?**
A) Connects the aorta and pulmonary artery
B) Shunts blood from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the lungs
C) Directs blood from the inferior vena cava to the right ventricle
D) Closes immediately at birth due to increased oxygen levels
💡 **RATIONALE** – The foramen ovale is an opening between the fetal right and left atria that allows
oxygenated blood to bypass the non-functioning lungs. It closes after birth due to pressure changes.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Shunts blood from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the lungs
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**4. Which organelle contains hydrolytic enzymes responsible for breaking down cellular debris and
pathogens?**
A) Peroxisome
B) Lysosome
C) Golgi apparatus
D) Ribosome
💡 **RATIONALE** – Lysosomes are membrane-bound vesicles containing digestive enzymes
(hydrolases) that break down waste, foreign particles, and old organelles via phagocytosis and
autophagy.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Lysosome
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**5. A client’s lab results show a high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a low level of high-
density lipoprotein (HDL). Which dietary change should the PN recommend?**
A) Increase intake of saturated fats
B) Increase intake of trans fats
C) Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber
D) Decrease intake of complex carbohydrates
💡 **RATIONALE** – Omega-3 fatty acids (fish, nuts) and soluble fiber (oats, beans) help lower LDL and
raise HDL. Saturated and trans fats worsen the lipid profile.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber
---
**6. Which of the following is an example of an anabolic reaction?**
A) Glycolysis breaking down glucose into pyruvate
B) Lipolysis breaking down triglycerides into fatty acids
C) Protein synthesis from amino acids
D) Glycogenolysis breaking down glycogen into glucose
💡 **RATIONALE** – Anabolism builds larger molecules from smaller ones (e.g., protein synthesis,
glycogenesis). Catabolism breaks down molecules (glycolysis, lipolysis, glycogenolysis).
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Protein synthesis from amino acids
---
**7. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?**
A) Optic nerve (CN II)
B) Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
**Exam Title:** HESI A2 Entrance Exam –
Science Section (High-Yield)
---
**1. Which structure in the nephron is primarily responsible for the reabsorption of water and sodium
under hormonal influence?**
A) Proximal convoluted tubule
B) Loop of Henle
C) Distal convoluted tubule
D) Glomerulus
💡 **RATIONALE** – The distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and collecting duct are where aldosterone (Na+
reabsorption) and ADH (water reabsorption) exert their effects. The PCT does bulk reabsorption but is
less hormonally regulated.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Distal convoluted tubule
---
**2. A patient’s blood type is A positive. Which blood types can they safely receive in a transfusion?**
A) A+ and A- only
B) A+, A-, O+, and O-
C) A+ and O+ only
D) A+, B+, AB+, O+
,💡 **RATIONALE** – Blood type A can receive from A and O. Rh-positive can receive Rh-positive or Rh-
negative. Therefore, A+, A-, O+, O- are all compatible.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) A+, A-, O+, and O-
---
**3. Which of the following best describes the function of the foramen ovale in the fetal heart?**
A) Connects the aorta and pulmonary artery
B) Shunts blood from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the lungs
C) Directs blood from the inferior vena cava to the right ventricle
D) Closes immediately at birth due to increased oxygen levels
💡 **RATIONALE** – The foramen ovale is an opening between the fetal right and left atria that allows
oxygenated blood to bypass the non-functioning lungs. It closes after birth due to pressure changes.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Shunts blood from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the lungs
---
**4. Which organelle contains hydrolytic enzymes responsible for breaking down cellular debris and
pathogens?**
A) Peroxisome
B) Lysosome
C) Golgi apparatus
D) Ribosome
💡 **RATIONALE** – Lysosomes are membrane-bound vesicles containing digestive enzymes
(hydrolases) that break down waste, foreign particles, and old organelles via phagocytosis and
autophagy.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Lysosome
, ---
**5. A client’s lab results show a high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a low level of high-
density lipoprotein (HDL). Which dietary change should the PN recommend?**
A) Increase intake of saturated fats
B) Increase intake of trans fats
C) Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber
D) Decrease intake of complex carbohydrates
💡 **RATIONALE** – Omega-3 fatty acids (fish, nuts) and soluble fiber (oats, beans) help lower LDL and
raise HDL. Saturated and trans fats worsen the lipid profile.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber
---
**6. Which of the following is an example of an anabolic reaction?**
A) Glycolysis breaking down glucose into pyruvate
B) Lipolysis breaking down triglycerides into fatty acids
C) Protein synthesis from amino acids
D) Glycogenolysis breaking down glycogen into glucose
💡 **RATIONALE** – Anabolism builds larger molecules from smaller ones (e.g., protein synthesis,
glycogenesis). Catabolism breaks down molecules (glycolysis, lipolysis, glycogenolysis).
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Protein synthesis from amino acids
---
**7. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?**
A) Optic nerve (CN II)
B) Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
