HESI A2 HEALTH EDUCATION SYSTEMS EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION

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HESI A2 HEALTH EDUCATION SYSTEMS EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION




HESI A2 HEALTH EDUCATION SYSTEMS EXAMINATION
250 Questions with Rationales


SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1-50)


Question 1
Which chamber of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior
vena cava?
A) Left atrium
B) Right atrium
C) Left ventricle
D) Right ventricle
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the
superior and inferior vena cava . Blood then passes through the tricuspid valve into the right
ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation.


Question 2
The mitral (bicuspid) valve is located between which two chambers of the heart?
A) Right atrium and right ventricle
B) Left atrium and left ventricle
C) Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
D) Left ventricle and aorta
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The mitral valve (also called the bicuspid or left
atrioventricular valve) is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle . The tricuspid
valve is located between the right atrium and right ventricle.

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Question 3
Which layer of the heart is responsible for contraction and contains striated muscle
fibers?
A) Endocardium
B) Epicardium
C) Myocardium
D) Pericardium
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The myocardium is the muscular layer of the heart
responsible for contraction and contains striated muscle fibers . The endocardium lines the
chambers, and the epicardium is the outer layer.


Question 4
What is the functional unit of the nervous system?
A) Axon
B) Dendrite
C) Neuron
D) Synapse
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The neuron is the functional unit of the nervous system,
responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals from sense organs, muscles, and
glands . Axons and dendrites are parts of neurons.


Question 5
Where are neurotransmitters released?
A) Dendrites
B) Cell body
C) Axon terminal
D) Myelin sheath
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Neurotransmitters are released at the axon terminal into
the synaptic cleft, where they bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron .


Question 6
Which structure moves nerve impulses away from the cell body?
A) Dendrite
B) Axon

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C) Synapse
D) Nucleus
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The axon is the structure that moves nerve impulses
away from the cell body toward other neurons, muscles, or glands .


Question 7
The exchange of gases in the lungs occurs in which structure?
A) Bronchi
B) Bronchioles
C) Alveoli
D) Trachea
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in
the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs surrounded by capillaries . This is where diffusion of gases
takes place.


Question 8
What is the volume of air in a normal breath called?
A) Vital capacity
B) Tidal volume
C) Residual volume
D) Inspiratory reserve volume
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Tidal volume is the volume of air inhaled or exhaled
during a normal breath . It is approximately 500 mL in a healthy adult.


Question 9
Which gland is often referred to as the "master gland" due to its influence on other
endocrine glands?
A) Thyroid
B) Adrenal
C) Pituitary
D) Pineal
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland"
because it produces hormones that regulate other endocrine glands, including the thyroid,
adrenal, and reproductive glands .

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Question 10
Where does the final stage of sperm maturation occur?
A) Seminiferous tubules
B) Epididymis
C) Vas deferens
D) Prostate gland
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The final stage of sperm maturation occurs in the
epididymis, where sperm gain motility and the ability to fertilize an egg .


Question 11
What hormone stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth?
A) Estrogen
B) Progesterone
C) Oxytocin
D) Prolactin
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions during
childbirth and also stimulates milk ejection during breastfeeding . It is released from the
posterior pituitary.


Question 12
What is an example of positive feedback in the body?
A) Regulation of blood glucose
B) Release of oxytocin to increase contractions during childbirth
C) Regulation of body temperature
D) Regulation of blood pressure
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The release of oxytocin to increase uterine contractions
during childbirth is an example of positive feedback . In positive feedback, the response
amplifies the stimulus, whereas negative feedback reverses it.


Question 13
Which organelle is responsible for generating ATP for chemical energy?
A) Ribosome
B) Mitochondria