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 (lungs & heart) from the abdominal cavity (digestive organs). The pleural
membrane (A) surrounds lungs, pericardium (B) surrounds the heart, and 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 that aggregate at
vessel injuries and release clotting factors, forming a hemostatic plug. Red blood cells
(A) carry O₂, white blood cells (B) fight pathogens, and plasma proteins (D) transport
hormones.
Q3: Which hormone lowers blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Epinephrine
C. Insulin
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin (secreted by pancreatic β-cells) facilitates cellular glucose uptake and
glycogenesis, decreasing plasma glucose. Glucagon (A), epinephrine (B), and cortisol
(D) are hyperglycemic hormones that raise blood glucose.
Q4: The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration is the:
A. Nephron
B. Glomerulus
,C. Nephron
D. Collecting duct
Correct Answer: A (or C—both list nephron)
Rationale: The nephron (renal corpuscle + tubule) is the microscopic filtration unit; each
kidney contains ~1 million. The glomerulus (B) is only the capillary tuft within the
nephron, and collecting ducts (D) modify—not initiate—urine.
Q5: Which valve prevents backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium?
A. Pulmonary valve
B. Tricuspid valve
C. Mitral (bicuspid) valve
D. Aortic valve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The mitral valve (left AV valve) closes during ventricular systole to prevent
regurgitation into the left atrium. Tricuspid (B) is on the right side; pulmonary (A) and
aortic (D) valves guard ventricular outflows, not inflows.
Q6: Gas exchange in the lungs occurs across the:
A. Visceral pleura
B. Respiratory membrane (alveolar-capillary membrane)
C. Epiglottis
, D. Carina
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen and CO₂ diffuse across the respiratory membrane—a thin barrier of
alveolar & capillary endothelium. Pleura (A) reduces friction, epiglottis (C) covers the
glottis during swallowing, and carina (D) is a bronchial ridge.
Q7: Which layer of the skin contains actively dividing cells?
A. Stratum corneum
B. Stratum lucidum
C. Stratum basale (germinativum)
D. Reticular dermis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The stratum basale houses mitotically active keratinocytes that replenish
superficial layers. Corneum (A) and lucidum (B) are dead, keratinized layers; reticular
dermis (D) is connective tissue below the epidermis.
Q8: The neuron process that typically conducts impulses toward the cell body is the:
A. Axon
B. Dendrite
C. Myelin sheath
D. Node of Ranvier
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 (lungs & heart) from the abdominal cavity (digestive organs). The pleural
membrane (A) surrounds lungs, pericardium (B) surrounds the heart, and 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 that aggregate at
vessel injuries and release clotting factors, forming a hemostatic plug. Red blood cells
(A) carry O₂, white blood cells (B) fight pathogens, and plasma proteins (D) transport
hormones.
Q3: Which hormone lowers blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Epinephrine
C. Insulin
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin (secreted by pancreatic β-cells) facilitates cellular glucose uptake and
glycogenesis, decreasing plasma glucose. Glucagon (A), epinephrine (B), and cortisol
(D) are hyperglycemic hormones that raise blood glucose.
Q4: The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration is the:
A. Nephron
B. Glomerulus
,C. Nephron
D. Collecting duct
Correct Answer: A (or C—both list nephron)
Rationale: The nephron (renal corpuscle + tubule) is the microscopic filtration unit; each
kidney contains ~1 million. The glomerulus (B) is only the capillary tuft within the
nephron, and collecting ducts (D) modify—not initiate—urine.
Q5: Which valve prevents backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium?
A. Pulmonary valve
B. Tricuspid valve
C. Mitral (bicuspid) valve
D. Aortic valve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The mitral valve (left AV valve) closes during ventricular systole to prevent
regurgitation into the left atrium. Tricuspid (B) is on the right side; pulmonary (A) and
aortic (D) valves guard ventricular outflows, not inflows.
Q6: Gas exchange in the lungs occurs across the:
A. Visceral pleura
B. Respiratory membrane (alveolar-capillary membrane)
C. Epiglottis
, D. Carina
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen and CO₂ diffuse across the respiratory membrane—a thin barrier of
alveolar & capillary endothelium. Pleura (A) reduces friction, epiglottis (C) covers the
glottis during swallowing, and carina (D) is a bronchial ridge.
Q7: Which layer of the skin contains actively dividing cells?
A. Stratum corneum
B. Stratum lucidum
C. Stratum basale (germinativum)
D. Reticular dermis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The stratum basale houses mitotically active keratinocytes that replenish
superficial layers. Corneum (A) and lucidum (B) are dead, keratinized layers; reticular
dermis (D) is connective tissue below the epidermis.
Q8: The neuron process that typically conducts impulses toward the cell body is the:
A. Axon
B. Dendrite
C. Myelin sheath
D. Node of Ranvier
