HESI A2 A&P ACTUAL EXAM REVIEW 130
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 2026:2027 LATEST EDITION
OVERVIEW
This section reviews human anatomy, physiology, and basic pathophysiology,
emphasizing the location and function of muscles, bones, organs, and glands. It
covers anterior and posterior muscle identification, skeletal system organization,
and interactions between body systems, such as muscular-skeletal and digestive-
urinary coordination. Key concepts include immune responses, nutrient
functions, hormone production, electrolyte regulation, and cardiovascular
physiology. Practical clinical knowledge, such as the role of headrests in
preventing neck injury, identification of heart disease risk factors, and normal
arterial blood pH, is also highlighted, providing a foundation for understanding
human structure, function, and health maintenance.
Which is an anterior muscle?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Biceps femoris
D. Adductor magnus - correct answer -B. An anterior muscle is located near the front of the body. Of
those listed, the quadriceps( frontal thigh muscle) is the most anterior.
How might the headrest on a car prevent traumatic injury?
A. By limiting hyperflexion of the neck
B. By limiting hyperextension of the neck
C. By reducing vertebral compression
D. By preventing disc degeneration - correct answer -B. The headrest prevents the head from moving
too far backward, or hyperextending the neck beyond its normal range.
Which might you expect to see in a whiplash injury?
A. Cardiopulmonary problems
,B. Side-to-side spinal curvature
C. Eventual herniation of discs
D. Traumatic injury to ligaments - correct answer -D. Because of the hyperflexion and hyperextension
caused by such a collision, it is not uncommon to find tears or stretching of the ligaments of the spine.
The injury is front-to-back, making choice B unlikely, and a herniated disc (choice C) is more of a
compression injury.
Muscle contractions that normally move food along the human digestive system are known as
________.
A. defecation
B. osmosis
C. peristalsis
D. circulation - correct answer -C. Defecation(choice A) is the elimination of waste. Osmosis (choice B) is
the movement of molecules across a membrane. Circulation (choice D) is the movement of blood through
the body. Peristalsis (choice C) is the involuntary, wavelike movement of muscles in the intestine and
elsewhere that pushes food along.
Which type of nutrient does not provide the body with energy?
A. Vitamin
B. Carbohydrate
C. Fat
D. Protein - correct answer -A. Some nutrients supply energy, and others support metabolism. Nutrients
in the first set include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Those in the secound set include vitamins,
minerals, and water.
Where would you be likely to find a Schwann cell?
A. In the digestive system
B. In the nervous system
C. In the skeletal system
D. In the muscular system - correct answer -B. Schwann cells wrap around the nerve fibers and form
the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system.
, How does the digestive system work with the urinary system?
A. The digestive system controls the function of the ureter.
B. The urinary system removes toxins from the products of digestion.
C. The digestive system manufactures hormones that influence urination.
D. The urinary system eliminates some waste products of digestion. - correct answer -D. The urinary
system eliminates water, urea, and other waste products from the body in the form of urine.
Which gland is located superior to the kidney?
A. Pituitary.
B. Adrenal.
C. Hypothalamus.
D. Pncreas - correct answer -B. The adrenals sit atop the kidneys and produce a variety of hormones,
from cortisol and testosterone to epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine.
To what two systems might the urethra belong?
A. Reproductive and endocrine.
B. Urinary and reproductive.
C. Endocrine and urinary.
D. Digestive and cardiovascular. - correct answer -B. In men, the urethra is part of both the
reproductive and the urinary systems.
The axial skeletal system contains all of these except ________.
A. the skull.
B. the ribs.
C. the breastbone.
D. the radius. - correct answer -D. The axial skeletal system is the system of bones in the head and
torso, encompassing the skull, spinal column, sternum, and ribs. The radius (choice D) is a bone in the
arm.
The gall bladder is part of the __________.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 2026:2027 LATEST EDITION
OVERVIEW
This section reviews human anatomy, physiology, and basic pathophysiology,
emphasizing the location and function of muscles, bones, organs, and glands. It
covers anterior and posterior muscle identification, skeletal system organization,
and interactions between body systems, such as muscular-skeletal and digestive-
urinary coordination. Key concepts include immune responses, nutrient
functions, hormone production, electrolyte regulation, and cardiovascular
physiology. Practical clinical knowledge, such as the role of headrests in
preventing neck injury, identification of heart disease risk factors, and normal
arterial blood pH, is also highlighted, providing a foundation for understanding
human structure, function, and health maintenance.
Which is an anterior muscle?
A. Gluteus maximus
B. Quadriceps femoris
C. Biceps femoris
D. Adductor magnus - correct answer -B. An anterior muscle is located near the front of the body. Of
those listed, the quadriceps( frontal thigh muscle) is the most anterior.
How might the headrest on a car prevent traumatic injury?
A. By limiting hyperflexion of the neck
B. By limiting hyperextension of the neck
C. By reducing vertebral compression
D. By preventing disc degeneration - correct answer -B. The headrest prevents the head from moving
too far backward, or hyperextending the neck beyond its normal range.
Which might you expect to see in a whiplash injury?
A. Cardiopulmonary problems
,B. Side-to-side spinal curvature
C. Eventual herniation of discs
D. Traumatic injury to ligaments - correct answer -D. Because of the hyperflexion and hyperextension
caused by such a collision, it is not uncommon to find tears or stretching of the ligaments of the spine.
The injury is front-to-back, making choice B unlikely, and a herniated disc (choice C) is more of a
compression injury.
Muscle contractions that normally move food along the human digestive system are known as
________.
A. defecation
B. osmosis
C. peristalsis
D. circulation - correct answer -C. Defecation(choice A) is the elimination of waste. Osmosis (choice B) is
the movement of molecules across a membrane. Circulation (choice D) is the movement of blood through
the body. Peristalsis (choice C) is the involuntary, wavelike movement of muscles in the intestine and
elsewhere that pushes food along.
Which type of nutrient does not provide the body with energy?
A. Vitamin
B. Carbohydrate
C. Fat
D. Protein - correct answer -A. Some nutrients supply energy, and others support metabolism. Nutrients
in the first set include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Those in the secound set include vitamins,
minerals, and water.
Where would you be likely to find a Schwann cell?
A. In the digestive system
B. In the nervous system
C. In the skeletal system
D. In the muscular system - correct answer -B. Schwann cells wrap around the nerve fibers and form
the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system.
, How does the digestive system work with the urinary system?
A. The digestive system controls the function of the ureter.
B. The urinary system removes toxins from the products of digestion.
C. The digestive system manufactures hormones that influence urination.
D. The urinary system eliminates some waste products of digestion. - correct answer -D. The urinary
system eliminates water, urea, and other waste products from the body in the form of urine.
Which gland is located superior to the kidney?
A. Pituitary.
B. Adrenal.
C. Hypothalamus.
D. Pncreas - correct answer -B. The adrenals sit atop the kidneys and produce a variety of hormones,
from cortisol and testosterone to epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine.
To what two systems might the urethra belong?
A. Reproductive and endocrine.
B. Urinary and reproductive.
C. Endocrine and urinary.
D. Digestive and cardiovascular. - correct answer -B. In men, the urethra is part of both the
reproductive and the urinary systems.
The axial skeletal system contains all of these except ________.
A. the skull.
B. the ribs.
C. the breastbone.
D. the radius. - correct answer -D. The axial skeletal system is the system of bones in the head and
torso, encompassing the skull, spinal column, sternum, and ribs. The radius (choice D) is a bone in the
arm.
The gall bladder is part of the __________.
