HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology Exam Prep 2026 NGN-Style Questions & Case
Scenarios
SECTION I: BODY ORGANIZATION, HOMEOSTASIS & TERMINOLOGY (Questions 1-
15)
Question 1
Which term describes the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
despite external changes?
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Adaptation
D) Anabolism
Answer: B) Homeostasis
,Rationale: Homeostasis is the process by which the body maintains a stable
internal environment (temperature, pH, blood glucose, etc.) through regulatory
mechanisms. Metabolism refers to all chemical reactions in the body. Anabolism
is the building phase of metabolism .
Question 2
Which body plane divides the body into equal left and right halves?
A) Coronal (frontal) plane
B) Transverse (horizontal) plane
C) Sagittal plane
D) Midsagittal (median) plane
Answer: D) Midsagittal (median) plane
,Rationale: The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into equal left and
right halves. A sagittal plane divides into left and right but not necessarily equal.
The coronal plane divides into anterior/posterior. The transverse plane divides
into superior/inferior .
Question 3
The term "proximal" means:
A) Toward the midline
B) Away from the point of attachment
C) Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk
D) Toward the back
Answer: C) Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk
, Rationale: Proximal means nearer to the point of attachment or origin (e.g., the
shoulder is proximal to the elbow). Distal means farther from the point of
attachment. Medial means toward the midline. Dorsal means toward the back .
Question 4
The thoracic cavity contains which of the following organs?
A) Stomach and intestines
B) Lungs and heart
C) Brain and spinal cord
D) Kidneys and bladder
Answer: B) Lungs and heart
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the lungs (pleural cavities) and heart
(pericardial cavity). The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs. The pelvic
Scenarios
SECTION I: BODY ORGANIZATION, HOMEOSTASIS & TERMINOLOGY (Questions 1-
15)
Question 1
Which term describes the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
despite external changes?
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Adaptation
D) Anabolism
Answer: B) Homeostasis
,Rationale: Homeostasis is the process by which the body maintains a stable
internal environment (temperature, pH, blood glucose, etc.) through regulatory
mechanisms. Metabolism refers to all chemical reactions in the body. Anabolism
is the building phase of metabolism .
Question 2
Which body plane divides the body into equal left and right halves?
A) Coronal (frontal) plane
B) Transverse (horizontal) plane
C) Sagittal plane
D) Midsagittal (median) plane
Answer: D) Midsagittal (median) plane
,Rationale: The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into equal left and
right halves. A sagittal plane divides into left and right but not necessarily equal.
The coronal plane divides into anterior/posterior. The transverse plane divides
into superior/inferior .
Question 3
The term "proximal" means:
A) Toward the midline
B) Away from the point of attachment
C) Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk
D) Toward the back
Answer: C) Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk
, Rationale: Proximal means nearer to the point of attachment or origin (e.g., the
shoulder is proximal to the elbow). Distal means farther from the point of
attachment. Medial means toward the midline. Dorsal means toward the back .
Question 4
The thoracic cavity contains which of the following organs?
A) Stomach and intestines
B) Lungs and heart
C) Brain and spinal cord
D) Kidneys and bladder
Answer: B) Lungs and heart
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the lungs (pleural cavities) and heart
(pericardial cavity). The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs. The pelvic
