HESI A2 Entrance Exam Comprehensive Study Guide &
Practice Questions 2026/2027 – Verified Q&As with
Detailed Rationales (Test Bank Bundle - 66 Questions)
---
**QUESTION 1:**
Which of the following is a function of the cardiovascular system?
A) Regulation of body temperature
B) Transport of oxygen and nutrients
C) Production of hormones
D) Excretion of waste products
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Transport of oxygen and nutrients
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The cardiovascular system, consisting of the heart and blood vessels, is
primarily responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to body cells and removing
metabolic wastes like carbon dioxide. While temperature regulation (A) is a function of the
integumentary and circulatory systems together, it is not the primary function; hormone production (C)
is endocrine; excretion (D) is renal and respiratory.
---
**QUESTION 2:**
The suffix "-itis" in medical terminology denotes:
A) Pain
B) Inflammation
C) Tumor
D) Disease
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Inflammation
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The suffix "-itis" is universally used in medical terms to indicate
inflammation, e.g., gastritis (stomach inflammation), arthritis (joint inflammation). Pain is often denoted
by "-algia"; tumor by "-oma"; disease by "-pathy".
,---
**QUESTION 3:**
Which of the following is an example of a simple carbohydrate?
A) Starch
B) Cellulose
C) Glucose
D) Glycogen
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Glucose
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Glucose is a monosaccharide and a simple carbohydrate, providing
immediate energy. Starch, glycogen, and cellulose are polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates)
consisting of many glucose units linked together.
---
**QUESTION 4:**
The cell membrane is described as being selectively permeable. This means it:
A) Allows all substances to pass through freely
B) Allows only water to pass through
C) Allows some substances to pass through while blocking others
D) Does not allow any substances to pass through
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Allows some substances to pass through while blocking others
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Selective permeability is a key feature of the cell membrane, allowing it
to control the entry and exit of substances (e.g., nutrients, ions, waste) based on size, charge, or lipid
solubility. It is not free (A), water-only (B), nor completely impermeable (D).
---
**QUESTION 5:**
In anatomical position, the palms of the hands face:
A) Posteriorly
B) Anteriorly
C) Laterally
, D) Medially
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Anteriorly
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** In the standard anatomical position, the body is upright, feet parallel,
arms at the sides, with the palms facing forward (anteriorly). This is the reference point for all
directional terms. Posteriorly, laterally, and medially are incorrect positions.
---
**QUESTION 6:**
Which organ is responsible for filtering blood and producing urine?
A) Liver
B) Kidney
C) Pancreas
D) Spleen
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Kidney
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The kidneys filter blood, remove nitrogenous wastes, regulate fluid and
electrolyte balance, and produce urine. The liver (A) filters toxins and produces bile; the pancreas (C)
produces digestive enzymes and insulin; the spleen (D) filters blood and helps with immunity.
---
**QUESTION 7:**
An atom with a different number of neutrons than protons is called:
A) Isotope
B) Ion
C) Isomer
D) Compound
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** A) Isotope
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of
protons but a different number of neutrons, affecting their atomic mass. An ion (B) has a different
number of electrons; an isomer (C) has the same molecular formula but different structure; a compound
(D) contains different elements.
Practice Questions 2026/2027 – Verified Q&As with
Detailed Rationales (Test Bank Bundle - 66 Questions)
---
**QUESTION 1:**
Which of the following is a function of the cardiovascular system?
A) Regulation of body temperature
B) Transport of oxygen and nutrients
C) Production of hormones
D) Excretion of waste products
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Transport of oxygen and nutrients
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The cardiovascular system, consisting of the heart and blood vessels, is
primarily responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to body cells and removing
metabolic wastes like carbon dioxide. While temperature regulation (A) is a function of the
integumentary and circulatory systems together, it is not the primary function; hormone production (C)
is endocrine; excretion (D) is renal and respiratory.
---
**QUESTION 2:**
The suffix "-itis" in medical terminology denotes:
A) Pain
B) Inflammation
C) Tumor
D) Disease
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Inflammation
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The suffix "-itis" is universally used in medical terms to indicate
inflammation, e.g., gastritis (stomach inflammation), arthritis (joint inflammation). Pain is often denoted
by "-algia"; tumor by "-oma"; disease by "-pathy".
,---
**QUESTION 3:**
Which of the following is an example of a simple carbohydrate?
A) Starch
B) Cellulose
C) Glucose
D) Glycogen
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Glucose
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Glucose is a monosaccharide and a simple carbohydrate, providing
immediate energy. Starch, glycogen, and cellulose are polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates)
consisting of many glucose units linked together.
---
**QUESTION 4:**
The cell membrane is described as being selectively permeable. This means it:
A) Allows all substances to pass through freely
B) Allows only water to pass through
C) Allows some substances to pass through while blocking others
D) Does not allow any substances to pass through
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Allows some substances to pass through while blocking others
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Selective permeability is a key feature of the cell membrane, allowing it
to control the entry and exit of substances (e.g., nutrients, ions, waste) based on size, charge, or lipid
solubility. It is not free (A), water-only (B), nor completely impermeable (D).
---
**QUESTION 5:**
In anatomical position, the palms of the hands face:
A) Posteriorly
B) Anteriorly
C) Laterally
, D) Medially
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Anteriorly
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** In the standard anatomical position, the body is upright, feet parallel,
arms at the sides, with the palms facing forward (anteriorly). This is the reference point for all
directional terms. Posteriorly, laterally, and medially are incorrect positions.
---
**QUESTION 6:**
Which organ is responsible for filtering blood and producing urine?
A) Liver
B) Kidney
C) Pancreas
D) Spleen
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Kidney
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** The kidneys filter blood, remove nitrogenous wastes, regulate fluid and
electrolyte balance, and produce urine. The liver (A) filters toxins and produces bile; the pancreas (C)
produces digestive enzymes and insulin; the spleen (D) filters blood and helps with immunity.
---
**QUESTION 7:**
An atom with a different number of neutrons than protons is called:
A) Isotope
B) Ion
C) Isomer
D) Compound
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** A) Isotope
> 💡 **DETAILED RATIONALE:** Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of
protons but a different number of neutrons, affecting their atomic mass. An ion (B) has a different
number of electrons; an isomer (C) has the same molecular formula but different structure; a compound
(D) contains different elements.
