HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology Exam Prep
2025/2026 | 240+ Verified Practice Questions &
Correct Answers | Nursing Admission Test Study
Guide for Guaranteed Success
QUESTION 1:
A patient presents with a high level of glucose in the blood. Which organ should the
nurse assess for possible dysfunction?
A) Liver
B) Pancreas
C) Kidneys
D) Spleen
ANSWER: B - Pancreas
Rationale: The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, which helps regulate
blood glucose levels. A dysfunction in the pancreas, such as in diabetes mellitus, can
lead to elevated blood glucose levels.
QUESTION 2:
During a routine check-up, a patient complains of joint pain and stiffness. Which
anatomical structure should the healthcare provider assess further?
A) Cartilage
B) Synovial membrane
C) Ligaments
D) Tendons
ANSWER: B - Synovial membrane
Rationale: The synovial membrane lines the joints and produces synovial fluid, which
lubricates the joints. Inflammatory conditions (like arthritis) can cause changes in the
synovial membrane, leading to pain and stiffness.
QUESTION 3:
A nurse is explaining the function of the nephron in the kidneys to a nursing student.
Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "The nephron filters blood to form urine."
B) "The nephron helps regulate blood pressure."
C) "The nephron is responsible for producing hormones."
D) "The nephron reabsorbs essential nutrients."
ANSWER: C - "The nephron is responsible for producing hormones."
Rationale: While the kidneys do produce some hormones (like erythropoietin), the
nephron's primary functions are filtration, reabsorption, and secretion, not hormone
production.
,QUESTION 4:
A patient with liver cirrhosis is at risk for bleeding. What is the most relevant
physiological process affected by liver dysfunction?
A) Protein metabolism
B) Clotting factor synthesis
C) Glucose regulation
D) Bile production
ANSWER: B - Clotting factor synthesis
Rationale: The liver synthesizes clotting factors necessary for blood coagulation. In
liver cirrhosis, the production of these factors is impaired, leading to an increased risk
of bleeding.
QUESTION 5:
A patient presents with shortness of breath and is diagnosed with pulmonary edema.
Which anatomical structure is primarily affected?
A) Alveoli
B) Bronchioles
C) Trachea
D) Lungs
ANSWER: A - Alveoli
Rationale: Pulmonary edema involves fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which impairs
gas exchange and leads to shortness of breath. The alveoli are the functional units of
the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occurs.
QUESTION 6:
A nurse is assessing a patient’s heart rate. Which anatomical structure is primarily
responsible for initiating the heartbeat?
A) Atria
B) Sinoatrial (SA) node
C) Atrioventricular (AV) node
D) Bundle of His
ANSWER: B - Sinoatrial (SA) node
Rationale: The SA node is known as the heart's natural pacemaker. It initiates electrical
impulses that cause the heart to contract, thereby regulating the heartbeat.
QUESTION 7:
A patient has been diagnosed with aortic stenosis. Which physiological process is
primarily affected by this condition?
A) Blood filtration
B) Blood flow from the heart
C) Gas exchange
,D) Nutrient absorption
ANSWER: B - Blood flow from the heart
Rationale: Aortic stenosis narrows the aortic valve opening, which obstructs blood flow
from the left ventricle to the aorta during systole, leading to decreased cardiac output.
QUESTION 8:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury at the cervical level. What is the
most significant potential complication related to this injury?
A) Respiratory infection
B) Respiratory failure
C) Urinary incontinence
D) Pressure ulcers
ANSWER: B - Respiratory failure
Rationale: Injuries at the cervical level can impair the diaphragm and other muscles
involved in breathing, leading to respiratory failure. Patients may require ventilatory
support depending on the level of the injury.
QUESTION 9:
A patient is experiencing difficulty swallowing. Which anatomical structure should the
healthcare provider assess?
A) Esophagus
B) Trachea
C) Stomach
D) Pharynx
ANSWER: A - Esophagus
Rationale: The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) often indicates an issue with this structure.
QUESTION 10:
A nurse is explaining the function of the endocrine system to a patient. Which statement
is accurate?
A) "It controls voluntary muscle movements."
B) "It regulates body functions through hormones."
C) "It provides structural support to the body."
D) "It is responsible for gas exchange."
ANSWER: B - "It regulates body functions through hormones."
Rationale: The endocrine system releases hormones into the bloodstream to regulate
various body processes, including metabolism, growth, and mood.
QUESTION 11:
A patient with heart failure is experiencing fluid retention. Which anatomical structure is
, primarily responsible for fluid balance?
A) Kidneys
B) Liver
C) Lungs
D) Heart
ANSWER: A - Kidneys
Rationale: The kidneys regulate fluid balance by filtering blood and excreting excess
fluid and waste as urine, thus playing a key role in maintaining homeostasis.
QUESTION 12:
A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected fracture. Which anatomical feature is
most important to examine?
A) Bone integrity
B) Muscle strength
C) Skin color
D) Joint stability
ANSWER: A - Bone integrity
Rationale: Assessing bone integrity is crucial to confirm the presence of a fracture and
to determine the appropriate treatment.
QUESTION 13:
A patient is diagnosed with a peptic ulcer. Which anatomical structure is primarily
affected?
A) Stomach
B) Small intestine
C) Esophagus
D) Duodenum
ANSWER: A - Stomach
Rationale: Peptic ulcers commonly occur in the stomach lining and can also affect the
duodenum, but the stomach is the primary site.
QUESTION 14:
Which structure in the brain is responsible for regulating body temperature?
A) Cerebrum
B) Hypothalamus
C) Cerebellum
D) Brainstem
ANSWER: B - Hypothalamus
Rationale: The hypothalamus functions as the body's thermostat, regulating
temperature and maintaining homeostasis.
2025/2026 | 240+ Verified Practice Questions &
Correct Answers | Nursing Admission Test Study
Guide for Guaranteed Success
QUESTION 1:
A patient presents with a high level of glucose in the blood. Which organ should the
nurse assess for possible dysfunction?
A) Liver
B) Pancreas
C) Kidneys
D) Spleen
ANSWER: B - Pancreas
Rationale: The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, which helps regulate
blood glucose levels. A dysfunction in the pancreas, such as in diabetes mellitus, can
lead to elevated blood glucose levels.
QUESTION 2:
During a routine check-up, a patient complains of joint pain and stiffness. Which
anatomical structure should the healthcare provider assess further?
A) Cartilage
B) Synovial membrane
C) Ligaments
D) Tendons
ANSWER: B - Synovial membrane
Rationale: The synovial membrane lines the joints and produces synovial fluid, which
lubricates the joints. Inflammatory conditions (like arthritis) can cause changes in the
synovial membrane, leading to pain and stiffness.
QUESTION 3:
A nurse is explaining the function of the nephron in the kidneys to a nursing student.
Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "The nephron filters blood to form urine."
B) "The nephron helps regulate blood pressure."
C) "The nephron is responsible for producing hormones."
D) "The nephron reabsorbs essential nutrients."
ANSWER: C - "The nephron is responsible for producing hormones."
Rationale: While the kidneys do produce some hormones (like erythropoietin), the
nephron's primary functions are filtration, reabsorption, and secretion, not hormone
production.
,QUESTION 4:
A patient with liver cirrhosis is at risk for bleeding. What is the most relevant
physiological process affected by liver dysfunction?
A) Protein metabolism
B) Clotting factor synthesis
C) Glucose regulation
D) Bile production
ANSWER: B - Clotting factor synthesis
Rationale: The liver synthesizes clotting factors necessary for blood coagulation. In
liver cirrhosis, the production of these factors is impaired, leading to an increased risk
of bleeding.
QUESTION 5:
A patient presents with shortness of breath and is diagnosed with pulmonary edema.
Which anatomical structure is primarily affected?
A) Alveoli
B) Bronchioles
C) Trachea
D) Lungs
ANSWER: A - Alveoli
Rationale: Pulmonary edema involves fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which impairs
gas exchange and leads to shortness of breath. The alveoli are the functional units of
the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occurs.
QUESTION 6:
A nurse is assessing a patient’s heart rate. Which anatomical structure is primarily
responsible for initiating the heartbeat?
A) Atria
B) Sinoatrial (SA) node
C) Atrioventricular (AV) node
D) Bundle of His
ANSWER: B - Sinoatrial (SA) node
Rationale: The SA node is known as the heart's natural pacemaker. It initiates electrical
impulses that cause the heart to contract, thereby regulating the heartbeat.
QUESTION 7:
A patient has been diagnosed with aortic stenosis. Which physiological process is
primarily affected by this condition?
A) Blood filtration
B) Blood flow from the heart
C) Gas exchange
,D) Nutrient absorption
ANSWER: B - Blood flow from the heart
Rationale: Aortic stenosis narrows the aortic valve opening, which obstructs blood flow
from the left ventricle to the aorta during systole, leading to decreased cardiac output.
QUESTION 8:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury at the cervical level. What is the
most significant potential complication related to this injury?
A) Respiratory infection
B) Respiratory failure
C) Urinary incontinence
D) Pressure ulcers
ANSWER: B - Respiratory failure
Rationale: Injuries at the cervical level can impair the diaphragm and other muscles
involved in breathing, leading to respiratory failure. Patients may require ventilatory
support depending on the level of the injury.
QUESTION 9:
A patient is experiencing difficulty swallowing. Which anatomical structure should the
healthcare provider assess?
A) Esophagus
B) Trachea
C) Stomach
D) Pharynx
ANSWER: A - Esophagus
Rationale: The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) often indicates an issue with this structure.
QUESTION 10:
A nurse is explaining the function of the endocrine system to a patient. Which statement
is accurate?
A) "It controls voluntary muscle movements."
B) "It regulates body functions through hormones."
C) "It provides structural support to the body."
D) "It is responsible for gas exchange."
ANSWER: B - "It regulates body functions through hormones."
Rationale: The endocrine system releases hormones into the bloodstream to regulate
various body processes, including metabolism, growth, and mood.
QUESTION 11:
A patient with heart failure is experiencing fluid retention. Which anatomical structure is
, primarily responsible for fluid balance?
A) Kidneys
B) Liver
C) Lungs
D) Heart
ANSWER: A - Kidneys
Rationale: The kidneys regulate fluid balance by filtering blood and excreting excess
fluid and waste as urine, thus playing a key role in maintaining homeostasis.
QUESTION 12:
A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected fracture. Which anatomical feature is
most important to examine?
A) Bone integrity
B) Muscle strength
C) Skin color
D) Joint stability
ANSWER: A - Bone integrity
Rationale: Assessing bone integrity is crucial to confirm the presence of a fracture and
to determine the appropriate treatment.
QUESTION 13:
A patient is diagnosed with a peptic ulcer. Which anatomical structure is primarily
affected?
A) Stomach
B) Small intestine
C) Esophagus
D) Duodenum
ANSWER: A - Stomach
Rationale: Peptic ulcers commonly occur in the stomach lining and can also affect the
duodenum, but the stomach is the primary site.
QUESTION 14:
Which structure in the brain is responsible for regulating body temperature?
A) Cerebrum
B) Hypothalamus
C) Cerebellum
D) Brainstem
ANSWER: B - Hypothalamus
Rationale: The hypothalamus functions as the body's thermostat, regulating
temperature and maintaining homeostasis.
