HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology 2026/2027 Practice
Exam
60 Original Questions with Highlighted Answers and Detailed Rationales
Purpose and alignment
Designed for U.S. nursing and allied-health applicants reviewing anatomy and physiology for HESI Admission
Assessment preparation. Coverage includes organization, cells and tissues, body systems, homeostasis, and
applied system relationships. Institutional HESI A2 section requirements vary, so candidates should verify their
school requirements.
How to use
Complete all items before reviewing answers. Study every rationale and repeat weak domains. Use 48/60 (80%)
as a B-level learning target, not as a prediction, institutional cutoff, certification result, or guarantee.
Integrity notice
Every question and scenario was newly written for independent practice. This document is not an actual, recalled,
leaked, proprietary, official, or school-issued examination and is not endorsed by any school, publisher, employer,
or testing organization.
Original independent practice material - not an official, recalled, or school-issued examination Page 1
, FOUNDATIONS
Question 1 of 60: In anatomical position, which direction do the palms face?
A. Forward
B. Backward
C. Toward the thighs
D. Toward the midline
Correct answer: A - Forward
Rationale: Anatomical position is standing upright with arms at the sides and palms facing forward.
FOUNDATIONS
Question 2 of 60: A structure closer to the trunk than another structure is described as:
A. distal
B. proximal
C. superficial
D. lateral
Correct answer: B - proximal
Rationale: Proximal means nearer the point of attachment or the trunk.
Original independent practice material - not an official, recalled, or school-issued examination Page 2
, FOUNDATIONS
Question 3 of 60: Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A. Sagittal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Frontal plane
D. Oblique axis
Correct answer: C - Frontal plane
Rationale: The frontal, or coronal, plane separates front and back portions.
FOUNDATIONS
Question 4 of 60: The heart is located primarily in which cavity?
A. Cranial cavity
B. Pelvic cavity
C. Vertebral cavity
D. Thoracic cavity
Correct answer: D - Thoracic cavity
Rationale: The heart lies in the mediastinum within the thoracic cavity.
Original independent practice material - not an official, recalled, or school-issued examination Page 3
, FOUNDATIONS
Question 5 of 60: Homeostasis is best described as:
A. maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
B. complete absence of internal change
C. production of reproductive cells
D. movement of the whole body
Correct answer: A - maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
Rationale: Feedback systems keep internal variables within workable ranges despite change.
CELLS
Question 6 of 60: Which organelle produces most ATP during aerobic metabolism?
A. Lysosome
B. Mitochondrion
C. Golgi apparatus
D. Nucleolus
Correct answer: B - Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria perform the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
Original independent practice material - not an official, recalled, or school-issued examination Page 4
Exam
60 Original Questions with Highlighted Answers and Detailed Rationales
Purpose and alignment
Designed for U.S. nursing and allied-health applicants reviewing anatomy and physiology for HESI Admission
Assessment preparation. Coverage includes organization, cells and tissues, body systems, homeostasis, and
applied system relationships. Institutional HESI A2 section requirements vary, so candidates should verify their
school requirements.
How to use
Complete all items before reviewing answers. Study every rationale and repeat weak domains. Use 48/60 (80%)
as a B-level learning target, not as a prediction, institutional cutoff, certification result, or guarantee.
Integrity notice
Every question and scenario was newly written for independent practice. This document is not an actual, recalled,
leaked, proprietary, official, or school-issued examination and is not endorsed by any school, publisher, employer,
or testing organization.
Original independent practice material - not an official, recalled, or school-issued examination Page 1
, FOUNDATIONS
Question 1 of 60: In anatomical position, which direction do the palms face?
A. Forward
B. Backward
C. Toward the thighs
D. Toward the midline
Correct answer: A - Forward
Rationale: Anatomical position is standing upright with arms at the sides and palms facing forward.
FOUNDATIONS
Question 2 of 60: A structure closer to the trunk than another structure is described as:
A. distal
B. proximal
C. superficial
D. lateral
Correct answer: B - proximal
Rationale: Proximal means nearer the point of attachment or the trunk.
Original independent practice material - not an official, recalled, or school-issued examination Page 2
, FOUNDATIONS
Question 3 of 60: Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A. Sagittal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Frontal plane
D. Oblique axis
Correct answer: C - Frontal plane
Rationale: The frontal, or coronal, plane separates front and back portions.
FOUNDATIONS
Question 4 of 60: The heart is located primarily in which cavity?
A. Cranial cavity
B. Pelvic cavity
C. Vertebral cavity
D. Thoracic cavity
Correct answer: D - Thoracic cavity
Rationale: The heart lies in the mediastinum within the thoracic cavity.
Original independent practice material - not an official, recalled, or school-issued examination Page 3
, FOUNDATIONS
Question 5 of 60: Homeostasis is best described as:
A. maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
B. complete absence of internal change
C. production of reproductive cells
D. movement of the whole body
Correct answer: A - maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
Rationale: Feedback systems keep internal variables within workable ranges despite change.
CELLS
Question 6 of 60: Which organelle produces most ATP during aerobic metabolism?
A. Lysosome
B. Mitochondrion
C. Golgi apparatus
D. Nucleolus
Correct answer: B - Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria perform the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
Original independent practice material - not an official, recalled, or school-issued examination Page 4
