HESI A2 ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY EXAM WITH
ACTUAL CORRECT QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED DETAILED
ANSWERS|FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS|NEWEST|GUARANTE
ED PASS 2026/2027
Which might you expect to see in a whiplash injury?
A. Cardiopulmonary problems
B. Side-to-side spinal curvature
C. Eventual herniation of discs
D. Traumatic injury to ligaments
D. Because of the hyperflexion and hyperextension caused by such a collision, it is not uncommon to
find tears or stretching of the ligaments of the spine. The injury is front-to-back, making choice B
unlikely, and a herniated disc (choice C) is more of a compression injury.
Muscle contractions that normally move food along the human digestive system are known as
________.
A. defecation
B. osmosis
C. peristalsis
D. circulation
C. Defecation (choice A) is the elimination of waste. Osmosis (choice B) is the movement of molecules
across a membrane. Circulation (choice D) is the movement of blood through the body. Peristalsis
(choice C) is the involuntary, wavelike movement of muscles in the intestine and elsewhere that pushes
food along.
Which type of nutrient does not provide the body with energy?
A. Vitamin
B. Carbohydrate
C. Fat
D. Protein
1|Page
,A. Some nutrients supply energy, and others support metabolism. Nutrients in the first set include
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Those in the second set include vitamins, minerals, and water.
Where would you be likely to find a Schwann cell?
A. In the digestive system
B. In the nervous system
C. In the skeletal system
D. In the muscular system
B. Schwann cells wrap around the nerve fibers and form the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous
system.
How does the nervous system work with the muscular system?
A. The muscles of the body produce chemicals that feed the nerves.
B. The nervous system tells the muscles how to respond to the environment.
C. The nervous system releases chemicals that remove excess waste from the muscles.
D. The muscular system provides input that allows the nerves to make decisions.
B. The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It receives and transmits signals
from the environment that regulate voluntary and involuntary movement.
Which part of the nervous system includes the femoral , radial, and ulnar nerves?
A. Somatic
B. Autonomic
C. Sympathetic
D. Parasympathetic
A. The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems (choice C and D) are part of the autonomic nervous
system (choice B), which controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles, glands, and heart. The
somatic nervous system (choice A) has to do with reception of external stimuli and voluntary control of
the muscles.
Where might a herniated lumbar disc be most likely to create pain?
A. Along the radial nerve
B. Within the spinal cord
C. Along the sciatic nerve
D. Along the tibia nerve
C. Damage to a disc in the lower back will most likely cause pain radiating downward along the sciatic
nerve.
What is the name of the bone in the human thigh?
A. Ulna
B. Femur
C. Radius
D. Humerus
B. The ulna (choice A), radius (choice C), and humerus (choice D) are arm bones.
2|Page
,The ovaries are part of the ___________.
A. skeletal system
B. nervous system
C. lymphatic system
D. reproductive system
D. The ovaries are the egg-producing reproductive organs.
Of the following processes, which one is a different level of defense from the others?
A. A low pH in the stomach
B. Cilia present in the trachea
C. Body cells recognizing a pathogen
D. Mucus present in the nasal cavity
C. A low pH in the stomach (choice A), cilia in the trachea (choice B), and mucus (D) are primary
defenses. Cells recognizing a pathogen (choice C) is a third line of defense.
Which organ system is primarily responsible for regulating muscle growth?
A. The skeletal system
B. The endocrine system
C. The nervous system
D. The reproductive system
B. Hormones from the endocrine system, particularly from the pituitary gland, regulate growth.
Which parts of the heart are separated by the mitral valve?
A. Left atrium and right atrium
B. Right atrium and right extremities
C. Left ventricle and right ventricle
D. Left atrium and left ventricle
D. The mitral valve opens to allow oxygenated blood collected in the left atrium to flow into the left
ventricle
How might vitamin D deficiency present?
A. As bleeding gums
B. As swollen extremities
C. As red patches
D. As crooked bones
D. The disease known as rickets is a product of vitamin D deficiency and results in the softening and
bending of bones.
How does the lymphatic system work with the circulatory system?
A. The circulatory system produces red blood cells for the lymphatic system.
B. Lymph draws excess fluid from the cells and deposits it into the blood vessels.
C. The heart regulates the production of lymph in the lymph glands.
D. White cells from the lymphatic system eliminate excess red blood cells.
3|Page
, B. One of the jobs of the lymphatic system is to prevent excess fluid from accumulating in tissues by
collecting it and moving it into the circulatory system via the brachiocephalic veins.
What is the function of parathyroid hormone?
A. Increasing energy levels
B. Stimulating cell reproduction
C. Speeding up metabolism
D. Activating vitamin D
D. The parathyroid hormone regulates calcium in the body through several means, one of which is
increasing the production of activated vitamin D.
Which feature of the ear is most medial?
A. Pinna
B. Tympanic membrane
C. Cochlea
D. Outer canal
C. The most medial feature is the one closest to the middle of the body.
Which of the following are considered normal values for the measure of a person's pulse and blood
pressure?
A. 55 beats per minute and 75 over 60 mm Hg
B. 72 beats per minute and 120 over 80 mm Hg
C. 100 beats per minute and 140 over 100 mm Hg
D. 160 beats per minute and 100 over 70 mm Hg
B. The average person in good health has a pulse of about 72 beats per minute and a blood pressure of
120 over 80 mm Hg.
How does a sagittal section divide the body?
A. Into right and left regions
B. Into upper and lower regions
C. Into front and back regions
D. Between the dorsal and ventral cavities
A. A sagittal section occurs along a longitudinal plane, dividing the body into right and left regions.
How is pepsin used by the body?
A. To break down proteins
B. To break down starches
C. To emulsify fats and oils
D. To absorb water and nutrients
A. Pepsin aids chemical digestion in the stomach by breaking down proteins.
The esophagus is part of the __________
A. endocrine system
B. digestive system
4|Page
PHYSIOLOGY EXAM WITH
ACTUAL CORRECT QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED DETAILED
ANSWERS|FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS|NEWEST|GUARANTE
ED PASS 2026/2027
Which might you expect to see in a whiplash injury?
A. Cardiopulmonary problems
B. Side-to-side spinal curvature
C. Eventual herniation of discs
D. Traumatic injury to ligaments
D. Because of the hyperflexion and hyperextension caused by such a collision, it is not uncommon to
find tears or stretching of the ligaments of the spine. The injury is front-to-back, making choice B
unlikely, and a herniated disc (choice C) is more of a compression injury.
Muscle contractions that normally move food along the human digestive system are known as
________.
A. defecation
B. osmosis
C. peristalsis
D. circulation
C. Defecation (choice A) is the elimination of waste. Osmosis (choice B) is the movement of molecules
across a membrane. Circulation (choice D) is the movement of blood through the body. Peristalsis
(choice C) is the involuntary, wavelike movement of muscles in the intestine and elsewhere that pushes
food along.
Which type of nutrient does not provide the body with energy?
A. Vitamin
B. Carbohydrate
C. Fat
D. Protein
1|Page
,A. Some nutrients supply energy, and others support metabolism. Nutrients in the first set include
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Those in the second set include vitamins, minerals, and water.
Where would you be likely to find a Schwann cell?
A. In the digestive system
B. In the nervous system
C. In the skeletal system
D. In the muscular system
B. Schwann cells wrap around the nerve fibers and form the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous
system.
How does the nervous system work with the muscular system?
A. The muscles of the body produce chemicals that feed the nerves.
B. The nervous system tells the muscles how to respond to the environment.
C. The nervous system releases chemicals that remove excess waste from the muscles.
D. The muscular system provides input that allows the nerves to make decisions.
B. The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It receives and transmits signals
from the environment that regulate voluntary and involuntary movement.
Which part of the nervous system includes the femoral , radial, and ulnar nerves?
A. Somatic
B. Autonomic
C. Sympathetic
D. Parasympathetic
A. The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems (choice C and D) are part of the autonomic nervous
system (choice B), which controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles, glands, and heart. The
somatic nervous system (choice A) has to do with reception of external stimuli and voluntary control of
the muscles.
Where might a herniated lumbar disc be most likely to create pain?
A. Along the radial nerve
B. Within the spinal cord
C. Along the sciatic nerve
D. Along the tibia nerve
C. Damage to a disc in the lower back will most likely cause pain radiating downward along the sciatic
nerve.
What is the name of the bone in the human thigh?
A. Ulna
B. Femur
C. Radius
D. Humerus
B. The ulna (choice A), radius (choice C), and humerus (choice D) are arm bones.
2|Page
,The ovaries are part of the ___________.
A. skeletal system
B. nervous system
C. lymphatic system
D. reproductive system
D. The ovaries are the egg-producing reproductive organs.
Of the following processes, which one is a different level of defense from the others?
A. A low pH in the stomach
B. Cilia present in the trachea
C. Body cells recognizing a pathogen
D. Mucus present in the nasal cavity
C. A low pH in the stomach (choice A), cilia in the trachea (choice B), and mucus (D) are primary
defenses. Cells recognizing a pathogen (choice C) is a third line of defense.
Which organ system is primarily responsible for regulating muscle growth?
A. The skeletal system
B. The endocrine system
C. The nervous system
D. The reproductive system
B. Hormones from the endocrine system, particularly from the pituitary gland, regulate growth.
Which parts of the heart are separated by the mitral valve?
A. Left atrium and right atrium
B. Right atrium and right extremities
C. Left ventricle and right ventricle
D. Left atrium and left ventricle
D. The mitral valve opens to allow oxygenated blood collected in the left atrium to flow into the left
ventricle
How might vitamin D deficiency present?
A. As bleeding gums
B. As swollen extremities
C. As red patches
D. As crooked bones
D. The disease known as rickets is a product of vitamin D deficiency and results in the softening and
bending of bones.
How does the lymphatic system work with the circulatory system?
A. The circulatory system produces red blood cells for the lymphatic system.
B. Lymph draws excess fluid from the cells and deposits it into the blood vessels.
C. The heart regulates the production of lymph in the lymph glands.
D. White cells from the lymphatic system eliminate excess red blood cells.
3|Page
, B. One of the jobs of the lymphatic system is to prevent excess fluid from accumulating in tissues by
collecting it and moving it into the circulatory system via the brachiocephalic veins.
What is the function of parathyroid hormone?
A. Increasing energy levels
B. Stimulating cell reproduction
C. Speeding up metabolism
D. Activating vitamin D
D. The parathyroid hormone regulates calcium in the body through several means, one of which is
increasing the production of activated vitamin D.
Which feature of the ear is most medial?
A. Pinna
B. Tympanic membrane
C. Cochlea
D. Outer canal
C. The most medial feature is the one closest to the middle of the body.
Which of the following are considered normal values for the measure of a person's pulse and blood
pressure?
A. 55 beats per minute and 75 over 60 mm Hg
B. 72 beats per minute and 120 over 80 mm Hg
C. 100 beats per minute and 140 over 100 mm Hg
D. 160 beats per minute and 100 over 70 mm Hg
B. The average person in good health has a pulse of about 72 beats per minute and a blood pressure of
120 over 80 mm Hg.
How does a sagittal section divide the body?
A. Into right and left regions
B. Into upper and lower regions
C. Into front and back regions
D. Between the dorsal and ventral cavities
A. A sagittal section occurs along a longitudinal plane, dividing the body into right and left regions.
How is pepsin used by the body?
A. To break down proteins
B. To break down starches
C. To emulsify fats and oils
D. To absorb water and nutrients
A. Pepsin aids chemical digestion in the stomach by breaking down proteins.
The esophagus is part of the __________
A. endocrine system
B. digestive system
4|Page
