1
HESI A2 Exam Bank 2025: 200 Practice
Questions – Cardiovascular, Respiratory &
Neurological Systems
Table of Contents
SUBTOPIC 1: Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 1–20) ........................... 2
SUBTOPIC 2: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology (Questions 21–40) ..................................... 9
SUBTOPIC 3: Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 41–60) ............................. 17
SUBTOPIC 4: Respiratory Pathophysiology (Questions 61–80) ........................................ 25
SUBTOPIC 5: Neurological Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 81–100) ......................... 33
SUBTOPIC 6: Neurological Pathophysiology (Questions 101–120) ................................... 41
SUBTOPIC 7: Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Monitoring Techniques (Questions 121–140)48
SUBTOPIC 8: Respiratory Diagnostic and Monitoring Techniques (Questions 141–160) ..... 56
SUBTOPIC 9: Neurological Disorders and Emergency Response (Questions 161–180) ...... 64
SUBTOPIC 10: Integrated Clinical Application – Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and
Neurological Scenarios (Questions 181–200) ................................................................ 72
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SUBTOPIC 1: Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology
(Questions 1–20)
1. Which of the following valves prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium during
ventricular systole?
A. Pulmonary valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Tricuspid valve
D. Aortic valve
Correct Answer: B. Mitral valve
Rationale: The mitral valve, located between the left atrium and left ventricle, prevents
blood from flowing backward into the atrium when the left ventricle contracts.
2. What structure initiates the electrical impulse in the heart's conduction system?
A. AV node
B. SA node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: B. SA node
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node is the heart’s natural pacemaker, initiating impulses that
cause the atria to contract and setting the rhythm for the heartbeat.
3. Which vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Superior vena cava
, 3
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Aorta
Correct Answer: C. Pulmonary vein
Rationale: Unlike most veins, the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs
to the left atrium of the heart.
4. The QRS complex on an ECG represents which of the following?
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization
D. Atrial repolarization
Correct Answer: B. Ventricular depolarization
Rationale: The QRS complex reflects the rapid depolarization of the ventricles, which
precedes ventricular contraction.
5. Which layer of the heart is responsible for contraction?
A. Endocardium
B. Myocardium
C. Epicardium
D. Pericardium
Correct Answer: B. Myocardium
Rationale: The myocardium is the muscular middle layer of the heart wall that contracts to
pump blood.
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6. What effect does stimulation of the vagus nerve have on heart rate?
A. Decreases heart rate
B. Increases heart rate
C. No effect
D. Causes arrhythmias
Correct Answer: A. Decreases heart rate
Rationale: The vagus nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system and slows the
heart rate when stimulated.
7. Which chamber of the heart has the thickest muscular wall?
A. Right atrium
B. Left atrium
C. Right ventricle
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: D. Left ventricle
Rationale: The left ventricle has the thickest walls because it must generate enough force
to pump blood through the entire systemic circulation.
8. What does a prolonged PR interval on an ECG indicate?
A. Normal sinus rhythm
B. First-degree heart block
C. Bundle branch block
D. Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: B. First-degree heart block
HESI A2 Exam Bank 2025: 200 Practice
Questions – Cardiovascular, Respiratory &
Neurological Systems
Table of Contents
SUBTOPIC 1: Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 1–20) ........................... 2
SUBTOPIC 2: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology (Questions 21–40) ..................................... 9
SUBTOPIC 3: Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 41–60) ............................. 17
SUBTOPIC 4: Respiratory Pathophysiology (Questions 61–80) ........................................ 25
SUBTOPIC 5: Neurological Anatomy and Physiology (Questions 81–100) ......................... 33
SUBTOPIC 6: Neurological Pathophysiology (Questions 101–120) ................................... 41
SUBTOPIC 7: Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Monitoring Techniques (Questions 121–140)48
SUBTOPIC 8: Respiratory Diagnostic and Monitoring Techniques (Questions 141–160) ..... 56
SUBTOPIC 9: Neurological Disorders and Emergency Response (Questions 161–180) ...... 64
SUBTOPIC 10: Integrated Clinical Application – Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and
Neurological Scenarios (Questions 181–200) ................................................................ 72
, 2
SUBTOPIC 1: Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology
(Questions 1–20)
1. Which of the following valves prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium during
ventricular systole?
A. Pulmonary valve
B. Mitral valve
C. Tricuspid valve
D. Aortic valve
Correct Answer: B. Mitral valve
Rationale: The mitral valve, located between the left atrium and left ventricle, prevents
blood from flowing backward into the atrium when the left ventricle contracts.
2. What structure initiates the electrical impulse in the heart's conduction system?
A. AV node
B. SA node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibers
Correct Answer: B. SA node
Rationale: The sinoatrial (SA) node is the heart’s natural pacemaker, initiating impulses that
cause the atria to contract and setting the rhythm for the heartbeat.
3. Which vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Superior vena cava
, 3
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Aorta
Correct Answer: C. Pulmonary vein
Rationale: Unlike most veins, the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs
to the left atrium of the heart.
4. The QRS complex on an ECG represents which of the following?
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization
D. Atrial repolarization
Correct Answer: B. Ventricular depolarization
Rationale: The QRS complex reflects the rapid depolarization of the ventricles, which
precedes ventricular contraction.
5. Which layer of the heart is responsible for contraction?
A. Endocardium
B. Myocardium
C. Epicardium
D. Pericardium
Correct Answer: B. Myocardium
Rationale: The myocardium is the muscular middle layer of the heart wall that contracts to
pump blood.
, 4
6. What effect does stimulation of the vagus nerve have on heart rate?
A. Decreases heart rate
B. Increases heart rate
C. No effect
D. Causes arrhythmias
Correct Answer: A. Decreases heart rate
Rationale: The vagus nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system and slows the
heart rate when stimulated.
7. Which chamber of the heart has the thickest muscular wall?
A. Right atrium
B. Left atrium
C. Right ventricle
D. Left ventricle
Correct Answer: D. Left ventricle
Rationale: The left ventricle has the thickest walls because it must generate enough force
to pump blood through the entire systemic circulation.
8. What does a prolonged PR interval on an ECG indicate?
A. Normal sinus rhythm
B. First-degree heart block
C. Bundle branch block
D. Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: B. First-degree heart block
