HESI Medical Assisting Exam 2026 Questions with Answers & Rationales
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Prep
CLINICAL COMPETENCIES: General Patient Care
Question 1
Which of the following structures is the functional unit of the nervous system?
A) Osteon
B) Alveolus
C) Neuron
D) Nephron
Answer: C
Rationale: Neurons are the basic functional units of the nervous system,
responsible for transmitting electrical signals throughout the body . Osteons are
structural units of bone, alveoli are in the lungs, and nephrons are functional units
of the kidney.
Question 2
The anatomical term "proximal" is best described as:
,A) Toward the midline of the body
B) Away from the point of attachment
C) Toward the point of attachment
D) Parallel to the longitudinal axis
Answer: C
Rationale: "Proximal" refers to a location nearer to the point where a limb
attaches to the trunk . For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
Question 3
Which layer of the skin contains melanocytes?
A) Stratum corneum
B) Epidermis
C) Dermis
D) Subcutaneous tissue
Answer: B
,Rationale: Melanocytes are located in the basal layer of the epidermis and
produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color .
Question 4
A patient presents with a flat, non-palpable skin color change. This is correctly
documented as a:
A) Papule
B) Macule
C) Pustule
D) Vesicle
Answer: B
Rationale: A macule is a flat, non-palpable change in skin color, such as a freckle
or petechia . A papule is palpable, a pustule contains pus, and a vesicle contains
clear fluid.
Question 5
What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
, A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting heart rate for adults is 60-100 beats per minute .
Bradycardia is below 60, and tachycardia is above 100.
Question 6
A patient's blood pressure reading is 142/91 mmHg. According to current
guidelines, this would be classified as:
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 Hypertension
D) Stage 2 Hypertension
Answer: C
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Prep
CLINICAL COMPETENCIES: General Patient Care
Question 1
Which of the following structures is the functional unit of the nervous system?
A) Osteon
B) Alveolus
C) Neuron
D) Nephron
Answer: C
Rationale: Neurons are the basic functional units of the nervous system,
responsible for transmitting electrical signals throughout the body . Osteons are
structural units of bone, alveoli are in the lungs, and nephrons are functional units
of the kidney.
Question 2
The anatomical term "proximal" is best described as:
,A) Toward the midline of the body
B) Away from the point of attachment
C) Toward the point of attachment
D) Parallel to the longitudinal axis
Answer: C
Rationale: "Proximal" refers to a location nearer to the point where a limb
attaches to the trunk . For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
Question 3
Which layer of the skin contains melanocytes?
A) Stratum corneum
B) Epidermis
C) Dermis
D) Subcutaneous tissue
Answer: B
,Rationale: Melanocytes are located in the basal layer of the epidermis and
produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color .
Question 4
A patient presents with a flat, non-palpable skin color change. This is correctly
documented as a:
A) Papule
B) Macule
C) Pustule
D) Vesicle
Answer: B
Rationale: A macule is a flat, non-palpable change in skin color, such as a freckle
or petechia . A papule is palpable, a pustule contains pus, and a vesicle contains
clear fluid.
Question 5
What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
, A) 40-60 beats per minute
B) 60-100 beats per minute
C) 80-120 beats per minute
D) 100-140 beats per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting heart rate for adults is 60-100 beats per minute .
Bradycardia is below 60, and tachycardia is above 100.
Question 6
A patient's blood pressure reading is 142/91 mmHg. According to current
guidelines, this would be classified as:
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Stage 1 Hypertension
D) Stage 2 Hypertension
Answer: C
