HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2026
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION
RESOURCE DETAILED RATIONALES, HUMAN
BODY SYSTEMS REVIEW, A AND P STUDY GUIDE
AND HESI ADMISSION ASSESSMENT PREP
What happens to arteries as the go further from the heart? - CORRECT
ANSWER -They become thinner
What is the name for the smallest arteries? - CORRECT ANSWER -Arterioles
What are the names of the veins parallel to the arteries? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Carry the same name as the arteries
Which are the largest veins? - CORRECT ANSWER -Superior and inferior
venae cavae
How is the structure of the walls of arteries? - CORRECT ANSWER -Thick
and elastic in order to carry blood under high pressure
What are causes vasoconstriction and vasodilation? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle in the arterial walls.
,What does the contraction of smooth muscle in the arterial walls influence?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Blood pressure and blood distribution to tissues
How is the structure of the veins in comparison to the structure of arteries?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Thinner and less elastic, as they carry blood under
lower pressure
What are the components of the respiratory system? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Nose
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
lungs
muscles surrounding ribs
Where is respiration controlled? - CORRECT ANSWER -The respiratory
control center of the medulla
What is the function of the respiratory system? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Supply O2 and eliminate CO2
What is external respiration? - CORRECT ANSWER -The exchange of gases
between the atmosphere and the blood through the alveoli
, What is internal respiration? - CORRECT ANSWER -The exchange of gases
between blood and the body cells.
What is the function of the passageways between the nasal cavity and the
alveoli? - CORRECT ANSWER -Conduct gases to and from the lungs.
What is the function of the upper passageways? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Warm, filter, and moisten incoming air.
What lines the upper respiratory tubules? - CORRECT ANSWER -Cilia to
help trap debris and keep foreign substances from entering the lungs.
What occurs during inhalation? - CORRECT ANSWER -The contraction of
the diaphragm to enlarge the thoracic cavity and draw air into the lungs
What occurs during exhalation? - CORRECT ANSWER -The lungs recoil as
the respiratory muscles relax and the thorax decreases in size.
When is oxygen released from hemoglobin? - CORRECT ANSWER -As the
concentration of O2 drops in tissues
What happens to carbon dioxide in red blood cells? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Some is carried in solutions or bound to proteins in the blood.
Most is converted to carbonic anhydrase
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION
RESOURCE DETAILED RATIONALES, HUMAN
BODY SYSTEMS REVIEW, A AND P STUDY GUIDE
AND HESI ADMISSION ASSESSMENT PREP
What happens to arteries as the go further from the heart? - CORRECT
ANSWER -They become thinner
What is the name for the smallest arteries? - CORRECT ANSWER -Arterioles
What are the names of the veins parallel to the arteries? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Carry the same name as the arteries
Which are the largest veins? - CORRECT ANSWER -Superior and inferior
venae cavae
How is the structure of the walls of arteries? - CORRECT ANSWER -Thick
and elastic in order to carry blood under high pressure
What are causes vasoconstriction and vasodilation? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle in the arterial walls.
,What does the contraction of smooth muscle in the arterial walls influence?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Blood pressure and blood distribution to tissues
How is the structure of the veins in comparison to the structure of arteries?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Thinner and less elastic, as they carry blood under
lower pressure
What are the components of the respiratory system? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Nose
Pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
lungs
muscles surrounding ribs
Where is respiration controlled? - CORRECT ANSWER -The respiratory
control center of the medulla
What is the function of the respiratory system? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Supply O2 and eliminate CO2
What is external respiration? - CORRECT ANSWER -The exchange of gases
between the atmosphere and the blood through the alveoli
, What is internal respiration? - CORRECT ANSWER -The exchange of gases
between blood and the body cells.
What is the function of the passageways between the nasal cavity and the
alveoli? - CORRECT ANSWER -Conduct gases to and from the lungs.
What is the function of the upper passageways? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Warm, filter, and moisten incoming air.
What lines the upper respiratory tubules? - CORRECT ANSWER -Cilia to
help trap debris and keep foreign substances from entering the lungs.
What occurs during inhalation? - CORRECT ANSWER -The contraction of
the diaphragm to enlarge the thoracic cavity and draw air into the lungs
What occurs during exhalation? - CORRECT ANSWER -The lungs recoil as
the respiratory muscles relax and the thorax decreases in size.
When is oxygen released from hemoglobin? - CORRECT ANSWER -As the
concentration of O2 drops in tissues
What happens to carbon dioxide in red blood cells? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Some is carried in solutions or bound to proteins in the blood.
Most is converted to carbonic anhydrase
