1
HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology
Exam – Verified Questions with
100% Correct Answers & Expert
Rationales
Skeletal System
1. Which bone is located in the forearm and articulates with the humerus at the elbow?
A. Femur
B. Radius
C. Tibia
D. Scapula
Rationale : The radius is a forearm bone that articulates with the humerus at the
elbow joint, enabling forearm rotation. The femur is in the thigh, the tibia is in the lower
leg, and the scapula is in the shoulder.
2. What type of joint allows rotation, such as in the neck?
A. Hinge
B. Pivot
C. Ball-and-socket
D. Gliding
Rationale : Pivot joints, like the atlantoaxial joint in the neck, allow rotational
movement. Hinge joints permit flexion/extension, ball-and-socket joints allow multi-axial
movement, and gliding joints allow sliding.
3. What is the role of osteoclasts in bone tissue?
A. Break down bone tissue
B. Synthesize bone matrix
C. Store calcium
D. Produce blood cells
, 2
Rationale : Osteoclasts resorb bone tissue, releasing calcium into the blood.
Osteoblasts synthesize bone, bone stores calcium, and hematopoietic cells produce blood
cells in bone marrow.
4. Clinical Scenario: A patient fractures the clavicle. Which body region is affected?
A. Arm
B. Shoulder
C. Leg
D. Spine
Rationale : The clavicle (collarbone) connects the sternum to the scapula in the
shoulder girdle. It is not in the arm, leg, or spine.
Muscular System
5. Which muscle type is found only in the heart?
A. Skeletal
B. Cardiac
C. Smooth
D. Voluntary
Rationale : Cardiac muscle is unique to the heart, characterized by involuntary
contractions and striations. Skeletal muscle is voluntary, smooth muscle is in organs, and
“voluntary” is not a muscle type.
6. What ion is essential for muscle contraction?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Rationale : Calcium binds to troponin, exposing myosin-binding sites on actin to
initiate muscle contraction. Sodium and potassium regulate membrane potentials, and
magnesium supports other processes.
7. Which muscle extends the knee?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior
HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology
Exam – Verified Questions with
100% Correct Answers & Expert
Rationales
Skeletal System
1. Which bone is located in the forearm and articulates with the humerus at the elbow?
A. Femur
B. Radius
C. Tibia
D. Scapula
Rationale : The radius is a forearm bone that articulates with the humerus at the
elbow joint, enabling forearm rotation. The femur is in the thigh, the tibia is in the lower
leg, and the scapula is in the shoulder.
2. What type of joint allows rotation, such as in the neck?
A. Hinge
B. Pivot
C. Ball-and-socket
D. Gliding
Rationale : Pivot joints, like the atlantoaxial joint in the neck, allow rotational
movement. Hinge joints permit flexion/extension, ball-and-socket joints allow multi-axial
movement, and gliding joints allow sliding.
3. What is the role of osteoclasts in bone tissue?
A. Break down bone tissue
B. Synthesize bone matrix
C. Store calcium
D. Produce blood cells
, 2
Rationale : Osteoclasts resorb bone tissue, releasing calcium into the blood.
Osteoblasts synthesize bone, bone stores calcium, and hematopoietic cells produce blood
cells in bone marrow.
4. Clinical Scenario: A patient fractures the clavicle. Which body region is affected?
A. Arm
B. Shoulder
C. Leg
D. Spine
Rationale : The clavicle (collarbone) connects the sternum to the scapula in the
shoulder girdle. It is not in the arm, leg, or spine.
Muscular System
5. Which muscle type is found only in the heart?
A. Skeletal
B. Cardiac
C. Smooth
D. Voluntary
Rationale : Cardiac muscle is unique to the heart, characterized by involuntary
contractions and striations. Skeletal muscle is voluntary, smooth muscle is in organs, and
“voluntary” is not a muscle type.
6. What ion is essential for muscle contraction?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Rationale : Calcium binds to troponin, exposing myosin-binding sites on actin to
initiate muscle contraction. Sodium and potassium regulate membrane potentials, and
magnesium supports other processes.
7. Which muscle extends the knee?
A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Gastrocnemius
D. Tibialis anterior
