HESI Practice Exam 2026–2027
Comprehensive Nursing Entrance & Exit
Exam Preparation
Section 1: Anatomy & Physiology
Question 1: Which of the following structures is responsible for filtering blood and removing
waste products?
A) Liver
B) Kidneys
C) Spleen
D) Pancreas
Answer: B) Kidneys
Rationale: The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for filtering blood, removing
metabolic waste products, and regulating fluid and electrolyte balance. The liver processes
nutrients and detoxifies substances, the spleen filters blood and destroys old red blood cells, and
the pancreas regulates blood sugar.
Question 2: The mitral 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
Answer: B) Left atrium and left ventricle
Rationale: The mitral valve (also called the bicuspid valve) is located between the left atrium
and left ventricle. It prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium during ventricular
contraction. The tricuspid valve is on the right side.
,Question 3: Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating body temperature, hunger,
and thirst?
A) Cerebellum
B) Medulla oblongata
C) Hypothalamus
D) Thalamus
Answer: C) Hypothalamus
Rationale: The hypothalamus serves as the body's thermostat and regulates homeostasis,
including body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep-wake cycles, and pituitary gland function. The
cerebellum coordinates movement, the medulla controls breathing and heart rate, and the
thalamus relays sensory information.
Question 4: What is the primary function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
A) Fighting infections
B) Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
C) Clotting blood
D) Producing antibodies
Answer: B) Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
Rationale: Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen in the lungs and
transports it to tissues, while also carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.
White blood cells fight infections, platelets help with clotting, and antibodies are produced by
plasma cells.
Question 5: Which of the following hormones is produced by the pancreas and lowers blood
glucose levels?
A) Glucagon
B) Cortisol
C) Insulin
D) Thyroxine
Answer: C) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas and facilitates the uptake of
,glucose into cells, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. Glucagon raises blood glucose, cortisol
is produced by the adrenal glands, and thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland.
Question 6: The sinoatrial (SA) node is known as the:
A) Pacemaker of the heart
B) Valve between chambers
C) Blood filter
D) Major artery
Answer: A) Pacemaker of the heart
Rationale: The SA node, located in the right atrium, initiates the electrical impulses that regulate
heart rate and rhythm, earning it the title of the heart's natural pacemaker. It determines the
rate at which the heart beats.
Question 7: What is the function of alveoli in the lungs?
A) Transport air to the trachea
B) Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
C) Produce mucus
D) Filter airborne particles
Answer: B) Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
Rationale: Alveoli are tiny air sacs with thin walls surrounded by capillaries where gas exchange
occurs—oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out to be exhaled. They are
the functional units of the lungs.
Question 8: Which type of bone is the femur classified as?
A) Short bone
B) Irregular bone
C) Long bone
D) Flat bone
Answer: C) Long bone
Rationale: The femur is the longest bone in the body and is classified as a long bone because its
, length exceeds its width, with a shaft (diaphysis) and two ends (epiphyses). Long bones are
designed to support weight and facilitate movement.
Question 9: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for:
A) Fight-or-flight response
B) Rest and digest activities
C) Voluntary muscle movement
D) Sensory perception
Answer: B) Rest and digest activities
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system dominates during restful states, promoting
digestion, slowing heart rate, constricting pupils, and conserving energy—opposite to the
sympathetic nervous system's fight-or-flight response.
Question 10: Which of the following is NOT a function of the liver?
A) Producing bile
B) Storing glycogen
C) Filtering blood
D) Producing insulin
Answer: D) Producing insulin
Rationale: The liver produces bile for fat digestion, stores glycogen for energy, and filters blood,
but insulin is produced by the pancreas, not the liver. This distinction is crucial for understanding
metabolic regulation.
Question 11: Blood type AB+ is considered the:
A) Universal donor
B) Universal recipient
C) Most common blood type
D) Only compatible with O-
Answer: B) Universal recipient
Rationale: Individuals with AB+ blood have both A and B antigens on their red blood cells and
Comprehensive Nursing Entrance & Exit
Exam Preparation
Section 1: Anatomy & Physiology
Question 1: Which of the following structures is responsible for filtering blood and removing
waste products?
A) Liver
B) Kidneys
C) Spleen
D) Pancreas
Answer: B) Kidneys
Rationale: The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for filtering blood, removing
metabolic waste products, and regulating fluid and electrolyte balance. The liver processes
nutrients and detoxifies substances, the spleen filters blood and destroys old red blood cells, and
the pancreas regulates blood sugar.
Question 2: The mitral 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
Answer: B) Left atrium and left ventricle
Rationale: The mitral valve (also called the bicuspid valve) is located between the left atrium
and left ventricle. It prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium during ventricular
contraction. The tricuspid valve is on the right side.
,Question 3: Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating body temperature, hunger,
and thirst?
A) Cerebellum
B) Medulla oblongata
C) Hypothalamus
D) Thalamus
Answer: C) Hypothalamus
Rationale: The hypothalamus serves as the body's thermostat and regulates homeostasis,
including body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep-wake cycles, and pituitary gland function. The
cerebellum coordinates movement, the medulla controls breathing and heart rate, and the
thalamus relays sensory information.
Question 4: What is the primary function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
A) Fighting infections
B) Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
C) Clotting blood
D) Producing antibodies
Answer: B) Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide
Rationale: Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen in the lungs and
transports it to tissues, while also carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.
White blood cells fight infections, platelets help with clotting, and antibodies are produced by
plasma cells.
Question 5: Which of the following hormones is produced by the pancreas and lowers blood
glucose levels?
A) Glucagon
B) Cortisol
C) Insulin
D) Thyroxine
Answer: C) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas and facilitates the uptake of
,glucose into cells, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. Glucagon raises blood glucose, cortisol
is produced by the adrenal glands, and thyroxine is produced by the thyroid gland.
Question 6: The sinoatrial (SA) node is known as the:
A) Pacemaker of the heart
B) Valve between chambers
C) Blood filter
D) Major artery
Answer: A) Pacemaker of the heart
Rationale: The SA node, located in the right atrium, initiates the electrical impulses that regulate
heart rate and rhythm, earning it the title of the heart's natural pacemaker. It determines the
rate at which the heart beats.
Question 7: What is the function of alveoli in the lungs?
A) Transport air to the trachea
B) Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
C) Produce mucus
D) Filter airborne particles
Answer: B) Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
Rationale: Alveoli are tiny air sacs with thin walls surrounded by capillaries where gas exchange
occurs—oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out to be exhaled. They are
the functional units of the lungs.
Question 8: Which type of bone is the femur classified as?
A) Short bone
B) Irregular bone
C) Long bone
D) Flat bone
Answer: C) Long bone
Rationale: The femur is the longest bone in the body and is classified as a long bone because its
, length exceeds its width, with a shaft (diaphysis) and two ends (epiphyses). Long bones are
designed to support weight and facilitate movement.
Question 9: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for:
A) Fight-or-flight response
B) Rest and digest activities
C) Voluntary muscle movement
D) Sensory perception
Answer: B) Rest and digest activities
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system dominates during restful states, promoting
digestion, slowing heart rate, constricting pupils, and conserving energy—opposite to the
sympathetic nervous system's fight-or-flight response.
Question 10: Which of the following is NOT a function of the liver?
A) Producing bile
B) Storing glycogen
C) Filtering blood
D) Producing insulin
Answer: D) Producing insulin
Rationale: The liver produces bile for fat digestion, stores glycogen for energy, and filters blood,
but insulin is produced by the pancreas, not the liver. This distinction is crucial for understanding
metabolic regulation.
Question 11: Blood type AB+ is considered the:
A) Universal donor
B) Universal recipient
C) Most common blood type
D) Only compatible with O-
Answer: B) Universal recipient
Rationale: Individuals with AB+ blood have both A and B antigens on their red blood cells and
