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HESI A2 Exam Bank: 200 High-Yield
Questions on Digestive, Muscular &
Urinary Systems
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Digestive System – Enzymes, Processes, and Absorption
(Questions 1–20)..............................................................................................2
Subtopic 2: Muscular System – Types, Functions, and Contractions (Questions
21–40)..............................................................................................................9
Subtopic 3: Urinary System – Organs, Functions, and Filtration (Questions 41–
60).................................................................................................................17
Subtopic 4: Interactions Between the Digestive, Muscular, and Urinary
Systems (Questions 61–80)...........................................................................24
Subtopic 5: Common Disorders of the Digestive, Muscular, and Urinary
Systems (Questions 81–100).........................................................................32
Subtopic 6: Hormonal and Nervous Regulation of These Systems (Questions
101–120)........................................................................................................40
Subtopic 7: Structural Anatomy and Physiology of Each System (Questions
121–140)........................................................................................................47
Subtopic 8: Common Disorders and Disease Impacts on System Functions
(Questions 141–160)......................................................................................55
Subtopic 9: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in System Function (Questions 161–
180)...............................................................................................................63
Subtopic 10: Interactions Between Systems in Maintaining Homeostasis
(Questions 181–200)......................................................................................70
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Subtopic 1: Digestive System – Enzymes,
Processes, and Absorption (Questions 1–20)
1. Which enzyme is primarily responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates
in the mouth?
A. Pepsin
B. Amylase
C. Lipase
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: B. Amylase
Rationale: Salivary amylase, secreted by the salivary glands, begins the
digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth by breaking down starches into
maltose.
2. What is the primary function of the small intestine?
A. Absorption of water
B. Storage of undigested food
C. Nutrient absorption
D. Breakdown of fats only
Correct Answer: C. Nutrient absorption
Rationale: The small intestine, particularly the jejunum and ileum, is
specialized for absorbing nutrients like amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids
into the bloodstream.
3. Which hormone stimulates the release of bile from the gallbladder?
A. Gastrin
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B. Cholecystokinin (CCK)
C. Secretin
D. Pepsinogen
Correct Answer: B. Cholecystokinin (CCK)
Rationale: CCK is released in the small intestine in response to fatty foods
and stimulates the gallbladder to release bile to aid in fat digestion.
4. Which of the following structures prevents food from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Soft palate
D. Pharynx
Correct Answer: B. Epiglottis
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that closes over the trachea during
swallowing, preventing aspiration of food into the respiratory tract.
5. Where does protein digestion begin?
A. Stomach
B. Mouth
C. Small intestine
D. Large intestine
Correct Answer: A. Stomach
Rationale: Protein digestion begins in the stomach with the action of the
enzyme pepsin, which breaks proteins into peptides.
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6. Which part of the digestive system absorbs the most water?
A. Stomach
B. Small intestine
C. Large intestine
D. Esophagus
Correct Answer: C. Large intestine
Rationale: The large intestine absorbs most of the water from indigestible
food residues, forming solid feces.
7. Which substance is produced by the liver to aid in fat digestion?
A. Lipase
B. Pepsin
C. Gastrin
D. Bile
Correct Answer: D. Bile
Rationale: Bile, produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder,
emulsifies fats, increasing the surface area for enzymes like lipase to act.
8. Which vitamin is synthesized in the large intestine by gut bacteria?
A. Vitamin K
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin C
HESI A2 Exam Bank: 200 High-Yield
Questions on Digestive, Muscular &
Urinary Systems
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Digestive System – Enzymes, Processes, and Absorption
(Questions 1–20)..............................................................................................2
Subtopic 2: Muscular System – Types, Functions, and Contractions (Questions
21–40)..............................................................................................................9
Subtopic 3: Urinary System – Organs, Functions, and Filtration (Questions 41–
60).................................................................................................................17
Subtopic 4: Interactions Between the Digestive, Muscular, and Urinary
Systems (Questions 61–80)...........................................................................24
Subtopic 5: Common Disorders of the Digestive, Muscular, and Urinary
Systems (Questions 81–100).........................................................................32
Subtopic 6: Hormonal and Nervous Regulation of These Systems (Questions
101–120)........................................................................................................40
Subtopic 7: Structural Anatomy and Physiology of Each System (Questions
121–140)........................................................................................................47
Subtopic 8: Common Disorders and Disease Impacts on System Functions
(Questions 141–160)......................................................................................55
Subtopic 9: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in System Function (Questions 161–
180)...............................................................................................................63
Subtopic 10: Interactions Between Systems in Maintaining Homeostasis
(Questions 181–200)......................................................................................70
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Subtopic 1: Digestive System – Enzymes,
Processes, and Absorption (Questions 1–20)
1. Which enzyme is primarily responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates
in the mouth?
A. Pepsin
B. Amylase
C. Lipase
D. Trypsin
Correct Answer: B. Amylase
Rationale: Salivary amylase, secreted by the salivary glands, begins the
digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth by breaking down starches into
maltose.
2. What is the primary function of the small intestine?
A. Absorption of water
B. Storage of undigested food
C. Nutrient absorption
D. Breakdown of fats only
Correct Answer: C. Nutrient absorption
Rationale: The small intestine, particularly the jejunum and ileum, is
specialized for absorbing nutrients like amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids
into the bloodstream.
3. Which hormone stimulates the release of bile from the gallbladder?
A. Gastrin
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B. Cholecystokinin (CCK)
C. Secretin
D. Pepsinogen
Correct Answer: B. Cholecystokinin (CCK)
Rationale: CCK is released in the small intestine in response to fatty foods
and stimulates the gallbladder to release bile to aid in fat digestion.
4. Which of the following structures prevents food from entering the trachea
during swallowing?
A. Uvula
B. Epiglottis
C. Soft palate
D. Pharynx
Correct Answer: B. Epiglottis
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that closes over the trachea during
swallowing, preventing aspiration of food into the respiratory tract.
5. Where does protein digestion begin?
A. Stomach
B. Mouth
C. Small intestine
D. Large intestine
Correct Answer: A. Stomach
Rationale: Protein digestion begins in the stomach with the action of the
enzyme pepsin, which breaks proteins into peptides.
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6. Which part of the digestive system absorbs the most water?
A. Stomach
B. Small intestine
C. Large intestine
D. Esophagus
Correct Answer: C. Large intestine
Rationale: The large intestine absorbs most of the water from indigestible
food residues, forming solid feces.
7. Which substance is produced by the liver to aid in fat digestion?
A. Lipase
B. Pepsin
C. Gastrin
D. Bile
Correct Answer: D. Bile
Rationale: Bile, produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder,
emulsifies fats, increasing the surface area for enzymes like lipase to act.
8. Which vitamin is synthesized in the large intestine by gut bacteria?
A. Vitamin K
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin C
