1
HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam
Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Questions
with Verified Answers | 100% Correct |
Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Anatomy & Physiology (20 Questions)
Q1: Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood
from the lungs?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pathway: Pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood
from the lungs to the left atrium. From there it passes through
the mitral valve into the left ventricle for systemic circulation.
Function Link: Thin-walled left atrium acts as a reservoir and
primer pump. Distractors: Right chambers handle
deoxygenated blood; left ventricle is the high-pressure pump,
not the receiving chamber.
Q2: The primary function of the nephron is to:
A. Produce red blood cells
B. Filter blood and form urine
P a g e 1 | 36
, 2
C. Regulate blood sugar levels
D. Store urine until excretion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Structure-Function: The nephron (glomerulus +
tubule) is the kidney’s functional unit performing filtration,
reabsorption, secretion to regulate fluid/electrolytes and
excrete wastes. Nursing Relevance: Understanding nephron
function is essential for drug dosing, fluid balance, and
interpreting labs. Distractors: RBC production (A) occurs in
bone marrow; blood sugar (C) is pancreatic; storage (D) is
bladder.
Q3: Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary and
increases water reabsorption in the kidneys?
A. ACTH
B. ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
C. Aldosterone
D. Renin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Posterior Pituitary Hormones: ADH and oxytocin.
Function: ADH binds V₂ receptors on collecting-duct cells →
inserts aquaporin-2 channels → water reabsorbed →
concentrated urine. Distractors: ACTH (A) is anterior pituitary;
aldosterone (C) is adrenal cortex; renin (D) is juxtaglomerular
cells.
P a g e 2 | 36
, 3
Q4: The alveoli are lined with surfactant. The primary
physiological role of surfactant is to:
A. Trap pathogens
B. Reduce surface tension and prevent alveolar collapse
C. Increase oxygen solubility
D. Warm inspired air
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactant (dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine)
lowers surface tension, stabilizing alveoli at low volumes and
reducing work of breathing. Clinical Link: Premature infants
lack surfactant → respiratory distress syndrome. Distractors:
Pathogen trapping (A) is mucus; warming (D) is nasal
turbinates.
Q5: Which vessel normally carries blood with the highest
oxygen saturation?
A. Superior vena cava
B. Pulmonary artery
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Coronary sinus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Exception to color rule: Pulmonary veins carry
oxygenated blood (≈98 % saturation) from lungs to left atrium.
Distractors: SVC & coronary sinus (A, D) carry venous blood;
pulmonary artery (B) carries mixed venous blood.
P a g e 3 | 36
, 4
Q6: In which phase of the cardiac cycle do the AV valves close,
producing the “lub” sound?
A. Atrial systole
B. Ventricular systole — isovolumetric contraction
C. Ventricular relaxation — rapid filling
D. Atrial relaxation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heart Sounds: Closure of mitral & tricuspid valves
(S₁) occurs at onset of ventricular systole when ventricular
pressure exceeds atrial pressure. Distractors: Atrial systole (A)
is end-diastolic filling; rapid filling (C) occurs during diastole;
atrial relaxation (D) is silent.
Q7: Which part of the brain controls voluntary skeletal muscle
movement?
A. Cerebellum
B. Cerebral motor cortex (pre-central gyrus)
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Motor Pathway: Upper motor neurons originate in
pre-central gyrus (frontal lobe) → descend via corticospinal
tracts → lower motor neurons → skeletal muscle. Distractors:
Cerebellum (A) coordinates, not initiates; medulla (C) controls
autonomic functions; hypothalamus (D) is visceral/endocrine.
P a g e 4 | 36
HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam
Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Questions
with Verified Answers | 100% Correct |
Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Anatomy & Physiology (20 Questions)
Q1: Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood
from the lungs?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pathway: Pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood
from the lungs to the left atrium. From there it passes through
the mitral valve into the left ventricle for systemic circulation.
Function Link: Thin-walled left atrium acts as a reservoir and
primer pump. Distractors: Right chambers handle
deoxygenated blood; left ventricle is the high-pressure pump,
not the receiving chamber.
Q2: The primary function of the nephron is to:
A. Produce red blood cells
B. Filter blood and form urine
P a g e 1 | 36
, 2
C. Regulate blood sugar levels
D. Store urine until excretion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Structure-Function: The nephron (glomerulus +
tubule) is the kidney’s functional unit performing filtration,
reabsorption, secretion to regulate fluid/electrolytes and
excrete wastes. Nursing Relevance: Understanding nephron
function is essential for drug dosing, fluid balance, and
interpreting labs. Distractors: RBC production (A) occurs in
bone marrow; blood sugar (C) is pancreatic; storage (D) is
bladder.
Q3: Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary and
increases water reabsorption in the kidneys?
A. ACTH
B. ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
C. Aldosterone
D. Renin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Posterior Pituitary Hormones: ADH and oxytocin.
Function: ADH binds V₂ receptors on collecting-duct cells →
inserts aquaporin-2 channels → water reabsorbed →
concentrated urine. Distractors: ACTH (A) is anterior pituitary;
aldosterone (C) is adrenal cortex; renin (D) is juxtaglomerular
cells.
P a g e 2 | 36
, 3
Q4: The alveoli are lined with surfactant. The primary
physiological role of surfactant is to:
A. Trap pathogens
B. Reduce surface tension and prevent alveolar collapse
C. Increase oxygen solubility
D. Warm inspired air
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactant (dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine)
lowers surface tension, stabilizing alveoli at low volumes and
reducing work of breathing. Clinical Link: Premature infants
lack surfactant → respiratory distress syndrome. Distractors:
Pathogen trapping (A) is mucus; warming (D) is nasal
turbinates.
Q5: Which vessel normally carries blood with the highest
oxygen saturation?
A. Superior vena cava
B. Pulmonary artery
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Coronary sinus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Exception to color rule: Pulmonary veins carry
oxygenated blood (≈98 % saturation) from lungs to left atrium.
Distractors: SVC & coronary sinus (A, D) carry venous blood;
pulmonary artery (B) carries mixed venous blood.
P a g e 3 | 36
, 4
Q6: In which phase of the cardiac cycle do the AV valves close,
producing the “lub” sound?
A. Atrial systole
B. Ventricular systole — isovolumetric contraction
C. Ventricular relaxation — rapid filling
D. Atrial relaxation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heart Sounds: Closure of mitral & tricuspid valves
(S₁) occurs at onset of ventricular systole when ventricular
pressure exceeds atrial pressure. Distractors: Atrial systole (A)
is end-diastolic filling; rapid filling (C) occurs during diastole;
atrial relaxation (D) is silent.
Q7: Which part of the brain controls voluntary skeletal muscle
movement?
A. Cerebellum
B. Cerebral motor cortex (pre-central gyrus)
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Motor Pathway: Upper motor neurons originate in
pre-central gyrus (frontal lobe) → descend via corticospinal
tracts → lower motor neurons → skeletal muscle. Distractors:
Cerebellum (A) coordinates, not initiates; medulla (C) controls
autonomic functions; hypothalamus (D) is visceral/endocrine.
P a g e 4 | 36
