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 skeletal muscle that physically divides the
thoracic cavity (heart & lungs) from the abdominal cavity (digestive organs). Pleural
membrane (A) surrounds lungs; pericardium (B) surrounds heart; peritoneum (D) lines
the abdominal cavity—none create the partition.
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 anucleate cell fragments essential for
hemostasis—they aggregate at vessel injuries and initiate clot formation. Red blood
cells (A) transport O₂; white blood cells (B) combat infection; plasma proteins (D) carry
hormones.
Q3: Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary to conserve body water?
A. ACTH
B. TSH
C. ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
D. FSH
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ADH (vasopressin) is synthesized in the hypothalamus but stored/released
by the posterior pituitary; increases water reabsorption in kidneys. ACTH (A) and TSH
(B) are anterior pituitary hormones; FSH (D) is also anterior.
Q4: In which phase of the cardiac cycle do the AV valves close, producing the “lub”
sound?
A. Isovolumetric relaxation
B. Ventricular ejection
C. Isovolumetric contraction
,D. Atrial systole
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During isovolumetric contraction, ventricular pressure rises, causing AV
valves to snap shut (S₁ “lub”). Ventricular ejection (B) follows; isovolumetric relaxation
(A) produces S₂; atrial systole (D) occurs before S₁.
Q5: The respiratory control center that sets the basic rhythm of breathing is located in
the:
A. Cerebellum
B. Medulla oblongata
C. Hypothalamus
D. Cerebral cortex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The medulla contains the dorsal & ventral respiratory groups that generate
rhythmic impulses to diaphragm/intercostals. Cerebellum (A) coordinates movement;
hypothalamus (C) maintains homeostasis; cortex (D) allows voluntary override.
Q6: Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lung to the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Superior vena cava
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pulmonary veins (only veins carrying oxygenated blood) return blood from
lungs to left atrium. Pulmonary artery (A) carries deoxygenated blood; superior vena
cava (D) returns systemic deoxygenated blood to right atrium.
Q7: The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration is the:
A. Nephron
B. Nephron
C. Renal pelvis
D. Ureter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nephron (glomerulus + tubule) performs filtration, reabsorption,
secretion. Renal pelvis (C) collects urine; ureter (D) transports urine to bladder.
Q8: Which enzyme in saliva begins carbohydrate digestion?
A. Pepsin
B. Amylase
C. Lipase
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Salivary amylase breaks starch into maltose. Pepsin (A) and trypsin (D)
digest protein in stomach/small intestine; lipase (C) acts on fats.
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 skeletal muscle that physically divides the
thoracic cavity (heart & lungs) from the abdominal cavity (digestive organs). Pleural
membrane (A) surrounds lungs; pericardium (B) surrounds heart; peritoneum (D) lines
the abdominal cavity—none create the partition.
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 anucleate cell fragments essential for
hemostasis—they aggregate at vessel injuries and initiate clot formation. Red blood
cells (A) transport O₂; white blood cells (B) combat infection; plasma proteins (D) carry
hormones.
Q3: Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary to conserve body water?
A. ACTH
B. TSH
C. ADH (antidiuretic hormone)
D. FSH
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ADH (vasopressin) is synthesized in the hypothalamus but stored/released
by the posterior pituitary; increases water reabsorption in kidneys. ACTH (A) and TSH
(B) are anterior pituitary hormones; FSH (D) is also anterior.
Q4: In which phase of the cardiac cycle do the AV valves close, producing the “lub”
sound?
A. Isovolumetric relaxation
B. Ventricular ejection
C. Isovolumetric contraction
,D. Atrial systole
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During isovolumetric contraction, ventricular pressure rises, causing AV
valves to snap shut (S₁ “lub”). Ventricular ejection (B) follows; isovolumetric relaxation
(A) produces S₂; atrial systole (D) occurs before S₁.
Q5: The respiratory control center that sets the basic rhythm of breathing is located in
the:
A. Cerebellum
B. Medulla oblongata
C. Hypothalamus
D. Cerebral cortex
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The medulla contains the dorsal & ventral respiratory groups that generate
rhythmic impulses to diaphragm/intercostals. Cerebellum (A) coordinates movement;
hypothalamus (C) maintains homeostasis; cortex (D) allows voluntary override.
Q6: Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lung to the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Pulmonary vein
D. Superior vena cava
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pulmonary veins (only veins carrying oxygenated blood) return blood from
lungs to left atrium. Pulmonary artery (A) carries deoxygenated blood; superior vena
cava (D) returns systemic deoxygenated blood to right atrium.
Q7: The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration is the:
A. Nephron
B. Nephron
C. Renal pelvis
D. Ureter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nephron (glomerulus + tubule) performs filtration, reabsorption,
secretion. Renal pelvis (C) collects urine; ureter (D) transports urine to bladder.
Q8: Which enzyme in saliva begins carbohydrate digestion?
A. Pepsin
B. Amylase
C. Lipase
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Salivary amylase breaks starch into maltose. Pepsin (A) and trypsin (D)
digest protein in stomach/small intestine; lipase (C) acts on fats.
