HESI A2 A&P ACTUAL EXAM REVIEW
130 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026 LATEST EDITION
OVERVIEW
This set of questions reviews key concepts in human anatomy and physiology across
multiple body systems. Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, while intercostal
muscles aid breathing by expanding and contracting the thoracic cavity. The esophagus
moves food to the stomach through peristalsis, and caloric needs generally decline
slightly after the mid-20s. The corpus callosum connects the two brain hemispheres, and
the integumentary system communicates sensory information to the nervous system.
The cardiovascular system includes arteries and valves that regulate blood flow, with
conditions like stenosis potentially causing irregular heartbeat. The skeletal system
stores minerals, inflammation serves as a secondary immune defense, and the endocrine
system regulates reproduction and hormones such as serotonin, which influences mood,
sleep, and appetite. Overall, these questions reinforce the structure and function of
major human body systems.
In which part of the lungs do nearly all the gaseous exchanges between air and blood take place?
A. Pleura.
B. Trachea.
C. Bronchioles.
D. Alveoli. - correct answer -D. The alveoli are the tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of
oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
How do the intercostal muscles between the ribs assist with respiration?
A. By protecting the delicate bronchioles and alveoli.
B. By signaling a decrease in intra-alveolar pressure.
C. By enlarging and reducing the space in the thorax.
D. By maintaining a medial separation between pleurae. - correct answer -C. The ribs themselves
protect the lungs (choice A), but the intercostals are muscles that expand and contract the chest,
allowing it to draw in and expel air.
,In which organ do muscles push food into the stomach via peristalsis?
A. Mouth.
B. Small intestine.
C. Epiglottis.
D. Esophagus. - correct answer -D. The esphagus connects the stomach and the oral cavity in the
human digestive system.
For the average person, what is true about caloric intake?
A. It should increase with age after age 25.
B. It should decline with age after age 25.
C. It should remain constant over a lifetime.
D. It should decline and then increase with age. - correct answer -B. The height of calorie intake for
healthy, active people is approximately their mid-20s. After that, calorie intake should decline slightly as
energy needs decline.
The corpus callosum facilitates communication between _________.
A. the left and right brain.
B. the skeletal and neural systems.
C. the brain and spinal cord.
D. the thalamus and hypothalamus. - correct answer -A. The corpus callosum is a broad band of nerve
fibers that join the two hemispheres of the brain.
How does the integumentary system work with the nervous system?
A. The integumentary system removes heat from the neurons in the nervous system.
B. The nervous system circulates nutrients outward to the integumentary system.
C. Touch input via the integumentary system sends messages to the nervous system.
D. Messages from the nervous system affect the color and texture of the skin. - correct answer -C. The
integumentary system includes the skin, hair, nails, and assorted glands. Receptors embedded in the
skin receive information regarding heat, pain, air flow, and so on, which is transported through the
nervous system to the brain.
, When the pulmonary valve and aortic valves are open, where can blood flow?
A. Between the two ventricles of the heart.
B. From atrium to ventricle within the heart.
C. Between the heart and the rest of the body.
D. Between the atria in the heart. - correct answer -C. The two valves connect the heart to the
pulmonary artery and the aorta, which carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Which might be a result of stenosis, or narrowing of a heart valve?
A. Abdominal pain.
B. Blood clots.
C. Edema (swelling) in organs.
D. Irregular heartbeat. - correct answer -D. Narrowing of the valves means that blood moves with
difficultly out of the heart. Results may include chest pain, edema in the feet or ankles, and irregular
heartbeat.
The human skull contains about how many bones?
A. about 5.
B. about 30.
C. about 60.
D. about 210. - correct answer -B. At birth we have 44separate bony structures in our skulls, but many
of those fuse as we age.
The arteries are part of the ___________.
A. nervous system.
B. endocrine system.
C. lymphatic system.
D. cardiovascular system. - correct answer -D. The arteries carry blood away from the heart as a key
feature of the cardiovascular system.
130 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026 LATEST EDITION
OVERVIEW
This set of questions reviews key concepts in human anatomy and physiology across
multiple body systems. Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, while intercostal
muscles aid breathing by expanding and contracting the thoracic cavity. The esophagus
moves food to the stomach through peristalsis, and caloric needs generally decline
slightly after the mid-20s. The corpus callosum connects the two brain hemispheres, and
the integumentary system communicates sensory information to the nervous system.
The cardiovascular system includes arteries and valves that regulate blood flow, with
conditions like stenosis potentially causing irregular heartbeat. The skeletal system
stores minerals, inflammation serves as a secondary immune defense, and the endocrine
system regulates reproduction and hormones such as serotonin, which influences mood,
sleep, and appetite. Overall, these questions reinforce the structure and function of
major human body systems.
In which part of the lungs do nearly all the gaseous exchanges between air and blood take place?
A. Pleura.
B. Trachea.
C. Bronchioles.
D. Alveoli. - correct answer -D. The alveoli are the tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of
oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
How do the intercostal muscles between the ribs assist with respiration?
A. By protecting the delicate bronchioles and alveoli.
B. By signaling a decrease in intra-alveolar pressure.
C. By enlarging and reducing the space in the thorax.
D. By maintaining a medial separation between pleurae. - correct answer -C. The ribs themselves
protect the lungs (choice A), but the intercostals are muscles that expand and contract the chest,
allowing it to draw in and expel air.
,In which organ do muscles push food into the stomach via peristalsis?
A. Mouth.
B. Small intestine.
C. Epiglottis.
D. Esophagus. - correct answer -D. The esphagus connects the stomach and the oral cavity in the
human digestive system.
For the average person, what is true about caloric intake?
A. It should increase with age after age 25.
B. It should decline with age after age 25.
C. It should remain constant over a lifetime.
D. It should decline and then increase with age. - correct answer -B. The height of calorie intake for
healthy, active people is approximately their mid-20s. After that, calorie intake should decline slightly as
energy needs decline.
The corpus callosum facilitates communication between _________.
A. the left and right brain.
B. the skeletal and neural systems.
C. the brain and spinal cord.
D. the thalamus and hypothalamus. - correct answer -A. The corpus callosum is a broad band of nerve
fibers that join the two hemispheres of the brain.
How does the integumentary system work with the nervous system?
A. The integumentary system removes heat from the neurons in the nervous system.
B. The nervous system circulates nutrients outward to the integumentary system.
C. Touch input via the integumentary system sends messages to the nervous system.
D. Messages from the nervous system affect the color and texture of the skin. - correct answer -C. The
integumentary system includes the skin, hair, nails, and assorted glands. Receptors embedded in the
skin receive information regarding heat, pain, air flow, and so on, which is transported through the
nervous system to the brain.
, When the pulmonary valve and aortic valves are open, where can blood flow?
A. Between the two ventricles of the heart.
B. From atrium to ventricle within the heart.
C. Between the heart and the rest of the body.
D. Between the atria in the heart. - correct answer -C. The two valves connect the heart to the
pulmonary artery and the aorta, which carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Which might be a result of stenosis, or narrowing of a heart valve?
A. Abdominal pain.
B. Blood clots.
C. Edema (swelling) in organs.
D. Irregular heartbeat. - correct answer -D. Narrowing of the valves means that blood moves with
difficultly out of the heart. Results may include chest pain, edema in the feet or ankles, and irregular
heartbeat.
The human skull contains about how many bones?
A. about 5.
B. about 30.
C. about 60.
D. about 210. - correct answer -B. At birth we have 44separate bony structures in our skulls, but many
of those fuse as we age.
The arteries are part of the ___________.
A. nervous system.
B. endocrine system.
C. lymphatic system.
D. cardiovascular system. - correct answer -D. The arteries carry blood away from the heart as a key
feature of the cardiovascular system.
