HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY COMPLETE Q&A
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Section 1: Anatomical Terminology & Body Organization
(Questions 1-8)
Question 1 The liver is located in which abdominal quadrant?
A. Right upper quadrant (RUQ) B. Left upper quadrant (LUQ) C. Right lower quadrant
(RLQ) D. Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The liver is located in the right upper quadrant (RUQ), with a small
portion extending across the midline into the left upper quadrant. The RUQ also
contains the gallbladder and right kidney. Choice B (LUQ) contains the stomach,
spleen, and left kidney. Choice C (RLQ) contains the appendix and cecum. Choice D
(LLQ) contains the sigmoid colon. HESI A2 exam strategy: Remember "Liver is LARGE
and on the RIGHT" to avoid confusing left vs right quadrant contents.
Question 2 Which directional term describes the relationship of the patella to the
femur?
A. Superior B. Distal C. Proximal D. Medial
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patella (kneecap) is distal to the femur (thigh bone) because it is
farther from the point of attachment (trunk/hip). Distal means farther from the origin
,or point of attachment. Choice A (superior) would mean above, which is incorrect as
the patella is not above the femur. Choice C (proximal) means closer to the point of
attachment, which would describe the femur relative to the patella, not vice versa.
Choice D (medial) means toward the midline, which is not the primary directional
relationship. HESI A2 exam strategy: Always identify the point of attachment first;
proximal/distal relationships are relative to the trunk, not to each other.
Question 3 A sagittal plane divides the body into which two portions?
A. Superior and inferior portions B. Anterior and posterior portions C. Left and right
portions D. Proximal and distal portions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions. A
midsagittal plane specifically divides it into equal left and right halves. Choice A
describes a transverse/horizontal plane. Choice B describes a coronal/frontal plane.
Choice D is not a plane at all but directional terms. HESI A2 exam strategy: Use the
mnemonic "Sagittal = Slices Sideways" to remember left-right division; "Coronal =
Crown" for front-back like putting on a crown.
Question 4 Which body cavity contains the heart?
A. Pleural cavity B. Pericardial cavity C. Mediastinum D. Peritoneal cavity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The heart is located within the pericardial cavity, which is the space
between the parietal and visceral layers of the pericardium (the serous membrane
surrounding the heart). Choice A (pleural cavity) contains the lungs. Choice C
(mediastinum) is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity that contains the
heart, but the heart itself sits within the pericardial cavity within the mediastinum.
Choice D (peritoneal cavity) is in the abdominopelvic region and contains abdominal
organs. HESI A2 exam strategy: Remember "Peri-CARDIAL = around the CARDIUM
,(heart)"; don't confuse pericardial (heart) with peritoneal (abdomen) or pleural
(lungs).
Question 5 The visceral layer of a serous membrane covers which structure?
A. The body wall B. The organ itself C. The cavity lining D. The skeletal muscle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The visceral layer of a serous membrane directly covers the organ itself,
while the parietal layer lines the body wall/cavity. For example, the visceral
pericardium covers the heart surface, and the parietal pericardium lines the fibrous
pericardium. Choice A describes the parietal layer. Choice C also describes the
parietal layer. Choice D is incorrect as serous membranes do not cover skeletal
muscle. HESI A2 exam strategy: Remember "Visceral = Viscera = organ"; "Parietal =
Parietal bone = wall"; visceral always touches the organ.
Question 6 Which term describes the position of the heart relative to the sternum?
A. Posterior B. Lateral C. Deep D. Anterior
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The heart is posterior (behind) the sternum (breastbone). The sternum
forms the anterior wall of the thoracic cage, and the heart lies in the mediastinum
posterior to it. Choice B (lateral) would mean to the side, which is not the primary
relationship. Choice C (deep) is relative to the body surface, not specifically to the
sternum. Choice D (anterior) would mean in front of the sternum, which is incorrect.
HESI A2 exam strategy: For diagram-based questions, visualize the cross-section:
sternum is most anterior, then heart, then vertebral column is most posterior.
Question 7 The femur is ______ to the tibia.
, A. Superior B. Proximal C. Lateral D. Ipsilateral
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The femur is proximal to the tibia because it is closer to the point of
attachment (the hip/trunk). In the lower limb, the femur (thigh bone) is above the
tibia (shin bone) and closer to the body trunk. Choice A (superior) is anatomically
true but less precise for limb relationships; proximal/distal is the preferred
terminology for limb structures. Choice C (lateral) is incorrect as the femur is medial
to the fibula, not lateral to the tibia. Choice D (ipsilateral) means on the same side,
which is true but not the specific directional relationship requested. HESI A2 exam
strategy: When both superior and proximal seem correct for limbs, choose
proximal/distal as these are the standard anatomical terms for limb positioning.
Question 8 Which structure is located in the dorsal body cavity?
A. Heart B. Stomach C. Spinal cord D. Liver
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The spinal cord is located in the dorsal body cavity, specifically within the
vertebral (spinal) canal. The dorsal cavity consists of the cranial cavity (brain) and
vertebral/spinal cavity (spinal cord). Choice A (heart) is in the ventral thoracic cavity.
Choice B (stomach) is in the ventral abdominopelvic cavity. Choice D (liver) is in the
ventral abdominopelvic cavity. HESI A2 exam strategy: Remember "Dorsal = Back =
Brain and Spinal cord"; all other major organs are in the ventral cavity (thoracic or
abdominopelvic).
Section 2: Cytology & Histology (Questions 9-16)
Question 9 Which organelle is responsible for ATP production through aerobic
respiration?
2026/2027 | Updated Exam Guide | Nursing Entrance Prep
| Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Anatomical Terminology & Body Organization
(Questions 1-8)
Question 1 The liver is located in which abdominal quadrant?
A. Right upper quadrant (RUQ) B. Left upper quadrant (LUQ) C. Right lower quadrant
(RLQ) D. Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The liver is located in the right upper quadrant (RUQ), with a small
portion extending across the midline into the left upper quadrant. The RUQ also
contains the gallbladder and right kidney. Choice B (LUQ) contains the stomach,
spleen, and left kidney. Choice C (RLQ) contains the appendix and cecum. Choice D
(LLQ) contains the sigmoid colon. HESI A2 exam strategy: Remember "Liver is LARGE
and on the RIGHT" to avoid confusing left vs right quadrant contents.
Question 2 Which directional term describes the relationship of the patella to the
femur?
A. Superior B. Distal C. Proximal D. Medial
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patella (kneecap) is distal to the femur (thigh bone) because it is
farther from the point of attachment (trunk/hip). Distal means farther from the origin
,or point of attachment. Choice A (superior) would mean above, which is incorrect as
the patella is not above the femur. Choice C (proximal) means closer to the point of
attachment, which would describe the femur relative to the patella, not vice versa.
Choice D (medial) means toward the midline, which is not the primary directional
relationship. HESI A2 exam strategy: Always identify the point of attachment first;
proximal/distal relationships are relative to the trunk, not to each other.
Question 3 A sagittal plane divides the body into which two portions?
A. Superior and inferior portions B. Anterior and posterior portions C. Left and right
portions D. Proximal and distal portions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions. A
midsagittal plane specifically divides it into equal left and right halves. Choice A
describes a transverse/horizontal plane. Choice B describes a coronal/frontal plane.
Choice D is not a plane at all but directional terms. HESI A2 exam strategy: Use the
mnemonic "Sagittal = Slices Sideways" to remember left-right division; "Coronal =
Crown" for front-back like putting on a crown.
Question 4 Which body cavity contains the heart?
A. Pleural cavity B. Pericardial cavity C. Mediastinum D. Peritoneal cavity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The heart is located within the pericardial cavity, which is the space
between the parietal and visceral layers of the pericardium (the serous membrane
surrounding the heart). Choice A (pleural cavity) contains the lungs. Choice C
(mediastinum) is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity that contains the
heart, but the heart itself sits within the pericardial cavity within the mediastinum.
Choice D (peritoneal cavity) is in the abdominopelvic region and contains abdominal
organs. HESI A2 exam strategy: Remember "Peri-CARDIAL = around the CARDIUM
,(heart)"; don't confuse pericardial (heart) with peritoneal (abdomen) or pleural
(lungs).
Question 5 The visceral layer of a serous membrane covers which structure?
A. The body wall B. The organ itself C. The cavity lining D. The skeletal muscle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The visceral layer of a serous membrane directly covers the organ itself,
while the parietal layer lines the body wall/cavity. For example, the visceral
pericardium covers the heart surface, and the parietal pericardium lines the fibrous
pericardium. Choice A describes the parietal layer. Choice C also describes the
parietal layer. Choice D is incorrect as serous membranes do not cover skeletal
muscle. HESI A2 exam strategy: Remember "Visceral = Viscera = organ"; "Parietal =
Parietal bone = wall"; visceral always touches the organ.
Question 6 Which term describes the position of the heart relative to the sternum?
A. Posterior B. Lateral C. Deep D. Anterior
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The heart is posterior (behind) the sternum (breastbone). The sternum
forms the anterior wall of the thoracic cage, and the heart lies in the mediastinum
posterior to it. Choice B (lateral) would mean to the side, which is not the primary
relationship. Choice C (deep) is relative to the body surface, not specifically to the
sternum. Choice D (anterior) would mean in front of the sternum, which is incorrect.
HESI A2 exam strategy: For diagram-based questions, visualize the cross-section:
sternum is most anterior, then heart, then vertebral column is most posterior.
Question 7 The femur is ______ to the tibia.
, A. Superior B. Proximal C. Lateral D. Ipsilateral
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The femur is proximal to the tibia because it is closer to the point of
attachment (the hip/trunk). In the lower limb, the femur (thigh bone) is above the
tibia (shin bone) and closer to the body trunk. Choice A (superior) is anatomically
true but less precise for limb relationships; proximal/distal is the preferred
terminology for limb structures. Choice C (lateral) is incorrect as the femur is medial
to the fibula, not lateral to the tibia. Choice D (ipsilateral) means on the same side,
which is true but not the specific directional relationship requested. HESI A2 exam
strategy: When both superior and proximal seem correct for limbs, choose
proximal/distal as these are the standard anatomical terms for limb positioning.
Question 8 Which structure is located in the dorsal body cavity?
A. Heart B. Stomach C. Spinal cord D. Liver
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The spinal cord is located in the dorsal body cavity, specifically within the
vertebral (spinal) canal. The dorsal cavity consists of the cranial cavity (brain) and
vertebral/spinal cavity (spinal cord). Choice A (heart) is in the ventral thoracic cavity.
Choice B (stomach) is in the ventral abdominopelvic cavity. Choice D (liver) is in the
ventral abdominopelvic cavity. HESI A2 exam strategy: Remember "Dorsal = Back =
Brain and Spinal cord"; all other major organs are in the ventral cavity (thoracic or
abdominopelvic).
Section 2: Cytology & Histology (Questions 9-16)
Question 9 Which organelle is responsible for ATP production through aerobic
respiration?
