HESI A2 Admission Assessment Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Questions with Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Anatomy & Physiology (20 Questions)
Q1: Which structure separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities?
A. Pleural membrane
B. Pericardium
C. Diaphragm
D. Peritoneum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that creates the physical
separation between the thoracic cavity (containing heart and lungs) and abdominal
cavity (containing digestive organs). The pleural membrane (A) surrounds the lungs.
The pericardium (B) surrounds the heart. The peritoneum (D) lines the abdominal cavity.
Q2: The primary function of platelets is to:
A. Carry oxygen to tissues
B. Fight infection
C. Initiate blood clotting
D. Transport hormones
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Platelets (thrombocytes) are cell fragments that play a crucial role in
hemostasis - they form clots to stop bleeding. Red blood cells (A) carry oxygen via
,hemoglobin. White blood cells (B) fight infection via immune response. Hormone
transport (D) is primarily done by plasma proteins.
Q3: Which hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates milk
production?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prolactin is produced by the anterior pituitary and stimulates milk synthesis
in the mammary glands. Oxytocin (A) causes milk ejection (let-down reflex). Estrogen
(C) and progesterone (D) are ovarian hormones that prepare breasts for lactation but
don't stimulate milk production.
Q4: The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration is the:
A. Nephron
B. Glomerulus
C. Loop of Henle
D. Collecting duct
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The glomerulus is the capillary network where blood filtration occurs in
Bowman's capsule. The nephron (A) is the entire functional unit containing glomerulus.
Loop of Henle (C) concentrates urine. Collecting duct (D) carries urine to renal pelvis.
Q5: Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Superior vena cava
D. Coronary sinus
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pulmonary veins are unique - they're the only veins carrying oxygenated
blood (from lungs to left atrium). Pulmonary artery (A) carries deoxygenated blood to
lungs. Superior vena cava (C) returns deoxygenated blood to right atrium. Coronary
sinus (D) drains coronary veins.
Q6: The exchange of gases in the lungs occurs in the:
A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alveoli are microscopic air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse
between air and blood. Trachea (A) and bronchi (B) are conducting airways. Pleura (D)
is the membrane surrounding lungs.
Q7: Which enzyme in the stomach begins protein digestion?
A. Amylase
B. Pepsin
C. Lipase
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pepsin is secreted by chief cells in the stomach and breaks down proteins
into peptides. Amylase (A) digests carbohydrates (from salivary glands). Lipase (C)
digests fats (primarily from pancreas). Trypsin (D) is a pancreatic enzyme.
Q8: The pacemaker of the heart is the:
A. Bundle of His
B. SA node
C. AV node
, D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The SA (sinoatrial) node in the right atrium generates electrical impulses at
60-100 bpm, setting heart rhythm. Bundle of His (A) conducts impulses to ventricles. AV
node (C) delays impulses briefly. Purkinje fibers (D) distribute impulses through
ventricles.
Q9: Which structure prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Tonsils
D. Vocal cords
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent
aspiration. Uvula (A) prevents food from entering nasal cavity. Tonsils (C) are lymphoid
tissue. Vocal cords (D) produce sound and protect airway.
Q10: The primary function of the large intestine is:
A. Water absorption
B. Protein digestion
C. Enzyme production
D. Vitamin synthesis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes, forming solid
waste. Protein digestion (B) occurs in small intestine. Enzyme production (C) is by
pancreas and small intestine. Vitamin synthesis (D) is minimal - mainly vitamin K by
bacteria.
2026/2027 | Questions with Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Anatomy & Physiology (20 Questions)
Q1: Which structure separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities?
A. Pleural membrane
B. Pericardium
C. Diaphragm
D. Peritoneum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that creates the physical
separation between the thoracic cavity (containing heart and lungs) and abdominal
cavity (containing digestive organs). The pleural membrane (A) surrounds the lungs.
The pericardium (B) surrounds the heart. The peritoneum (D) lines the abdominal cavity.
Q2: The primary function of platelets is to:
A. Carry oxygen to tissues
B. Fight infection
C. Initiate blood clotting
D. Transport hormones
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Platelets (thrombocytes) are cell fragments that play a crucial role in
hemostasis - they form clots to stop bleeding. Red blood cells (A) carry oxygen via
,hemoglobin. White blood cells (B) fight infection via immune response. Hormone
transport (D) is primarily done by plasma proteins.
Q3: Which hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates milk
production?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prolactin is produced by the anterior pituitary and stimulates milk synthesis
in the mammary glands. Oxytocin (A) causes milk ejection (let-down reflex). Estrogen
(C) and progesterone (D) are ovarian hormones that prepare breasts for lactation but
don't stimulate milk production.
Q4: The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration is the:
A. Nephron
B. Glomerulus
C. Loop of Henle
D. Collecting duct
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The glomerulus is the capillary network where blood filtration occurs in
Bowman's capsule. The nephron (A) is the entire functional unit containing glomerulus.
Loop of Henle (C) concentrates urine. Collecting duct (D) carries urine to renal pelvis.
Q5: Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Superior vena cava
D. Coronary sinus
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pulmonary veins are unique - they're the only veins carrying oxygenated
blood (from lungs to left atrium). Pulmonary artery (A) carries deoxygenated blood to
lungs. Superior vena cava (C) returns deoxygenated blood to right atrium. Coronary
sinus (D) drains coronary veins.
Q6: The exchange of gases in the lungs occurs in the:
A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alveoli are microscopic air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse
between air and blood. Trachea (A) and bronchi (B) are conducting airways. Pleura (D)
is the membrane surrounding lungs.
Q7: Which enzyme in the stomach begins protein digestion?
A. Amylase
B. Pepsin
C. Lipase
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pepsin is secreted by chief cells in the stomach and breaks down proteins
into peptides. Amylase (A) digests carbohydrates (from salivary glands). Lipase (C)
digests fats (primarily from pancreas). Trypsin (D) is a pancreatic enzyme.
Q8: The pacemaker of the heart is the:
A. Bundle of His
B. SA node
C. AV node
, D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The SA (sinoatrial) node in the right atrium generates electrical impulses at
60-100 bpm, setting heart rhythm. Bundle of His (A) conducts impulses to ventricles. AV
node (C) delays impulses briefly. Purkinje fibers (D) distribute impulses through
ventricles.
Q9: Which structure prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Tonsils
D. Vocal cords
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent
aspiration. Uvula (A) prevents food from entering nasal cavity. Tonsils (C) are lymphoid
tissue. Vocal cords (D) produce sound and protect airway.
Q10: The primary function of the large intestine is:
A. Water absorption
B. Protein digestion
C. Enzyme production
D. Vitamin synthesis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes, forming solid
waste. Protein digestion (B) occurs in small intestine. Enzyme production (C) is by
pancreas and small intestine. Vitamin synthesis (D) is minimal - mainly vitamin K by
bacteria.
