HESI A2 Practice test questions

Which of the following is NOT a function of the digestive tract?
a) to use enzymes to break down food
b) to perform gas exchange
c) to remove waste from the body
d) to use peristalsis to move food along

b) to perform gas exchange

Gas exchange is a function of the respiratory system

The body, at all times, attempts to maintain homeostasis. The best definition of homeostasis is:
a) a process that maintains the stability of the human body's internal environment in response to changes in internal and external conditions
b) a function via which the body breaks down glucose to use as energy
c)a process that maintains the immune system's defenses
d) a process in which the body resists change to genetic structure

a) a process that maintains the stability of the human body's internal environment in response to changes in internal and external conditions

The endocrine system of the body is responsible for:
a) defense through the use of antibodies
b) communication through the use of hormones
c) metabolism through the use of enzymes
d) blood flow through the use of the heart muscle

b) communication through the use of hormones

Anatomical position shows the body in a(n) ________ position.
a) lateral
b) superior
c) anterior
d) posterior

c) anterior

Vitamin K is created in the:
a) liver
b) lungs
c) intestinal tract
d) pancreas

c) intestinal tract

The largest organ in the body is the ________.
a) skin
b) GI tract
c) femur
d) stomach

a) skin

A medical scientists wants to study the parenchyma of the kidney. This scientist would correctly be known, most specifically, as a:
a) biologist
b) doctor
c) anatomist
d) histologist

d) histologist

Histology is the study of tissues.

What is Erythropoiesis?
a) red blood cell formation
b) white blood cell formation
c) the destruction of red blood cells
d) the destruction of white blood cells

a) red blood cell formation

Blood cell formation is called Hemopoiesis.
Erythro- red blood cells

In which part of the body is keratin NOT found?
a) hair
b) skin
c) nails
d) teeth

d) teeth

Keratin is a family of fibrous structural proteins. Keratin is the key structural component of hair, nails, and the outer layer of human skin

What is the relationship between sarcomeres and muscle cells?
a) sarcomeres are muscle cells
b) sarcomeres contain muscle cells
c) muscle cells contain myofibrils, which in turn are made up of sarcomeres
d) muscle cells contain sarcomeres, which in turn are made up of myofibrils

c) muscle cells contain myofibrils, which in turn are made up of sarcomeres

A person who has torn their vastus lateralis muscle will need which of the following?
a) an arm sling
b) a cane or crutches
c) insulin
d) a neck brace

b) a cane or crutches

The vastus lateralis muscle is a voluntary muscle in the legs. It is part of the quadriceps.

Muscles produce contraction due to the sliding of:
a) filaments
b) sarcomeres
c) flexors
d) neutrons

a) filaments

During muscle contraction, filaments slide together by using energy supplied by ATP.

The medulla oblongata has what primary responsibility?
a) balance
b) intellect
c) vital functions
d) sensory input

c) vital functions

The medulla oblongata is responsible for basic vital functions, including respiration and heart rate.

Which of the following is true about simple reflexes?
a) they travel through the entire body
b) they travel only through the spinal cord
c) they travel only through the brain
d) they do not travel and remain localized

b) they travel only through the spinal cord

Simple reflexes, known also as spinal reflexes, travel only through the spinal cord, and do not reach the brain.

What is the primary role of estrogen in the female reproductive system?
a) it initiates the preparation of the endometrium for pregnancy
b) it triggers the release of the egg from the ovary
c) it causes fertilization
d) it triggers the production of breast milk

a) it initiates the preparation of the endometrium for pregnancy

What is the name of the structure that transfers urine from the kidneys to the bladder?

-ureters

Humans can survive most easily without which of the following?
a) pancreas
b) lungs
c) gallbladder
d) bladder

c) gallbladder

The gallbladder's function is to store bile, but the GI tract is more than capable of producing bile to digest fat without it.

Which of the following is NOT a role of cortisol?
a) reducing inflammation
b) raising the blood sugar level
c) inhibiting the release of histamine
d) controlling motor impulses

d) controlling motor impulses

How many pairs of spinal nerves are known to exit the spinal cord?

-31

The spinal cord reaches from the base of the skull to the first or second lumbar vertebra. The base of the skull is also known as:
a) foremen magnum
b) filaments
c) cerebellum
d) corpus callosum

a) foremen magnum

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate is a substance that performs which of the following?
a) acts as part of the cell membrane
b) acts as energy for the cell
c) acts as a secondary messenger
d) acts as a hormone

c) acts as a secondary messenger

(cyclic AMP)

The neuron is composed of a/n ________, which transmits signals toward the cell body, and a/n ________, which transmits signals away from the cell body.

-dendrite, axon

The pectoralis major muscle is located in which general area?

-the chest

The soleus muscle is located in which general area?

-the legs

Which of the following is responsible for differentiation, or specialization, of cells?
a) platelets
b) hormones
c) neurons
d) brain cells

b) hormones

What makes up the alimentary canal?

-it consists of mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

(digestive tract)

A woman's body usually ovulates around what day in a normal 30-day cycle?

-day 14

Sperm, once created, are stored in an area of the male body called the ________.

-epididymis

Which of these is the best analogy describing the function of the kidneys?
a) a waste treatment plant
b) a control center
c) a medical facility
d) a soldier training facility

a) a waste treatment plant

The kidney recycles minerals and resources still needed in the body while also excreting waste products.

What is the most widely distributed type of sweat gland?

-eccrine

Moving the arm toward the body would be described as a ________ movement, rather than a _________ movement.

-proximal, distal

The orthopedic surgeon informs you that you have broken the end of your femur. What is she describing?

-epiphysis

The epiphysis is on each end of long bones, like the femur.

Which of the following is true of the axial skeleton?
a) the facial bones include four nasal bones
b) the mandible and maxilla are the only moveable bones of the skull
c) ossicles are a part of the jaw bone
d) the axial skeleton consists of a total of 28 bones in the skull

d) the axial skeleton consists of a total of 28 bones in the skull

Ossicles are part of the ear, the mandible is the only moveable bone of the skull, and there are only two nasal bones.

A patient of yours is diagnosed with emphysema. In emphysema, the alveoli have trouble exchanging gases between the atmosphere and the blood. It would be true to say that this patient has difficulty with what type of respiration?

-external

External respiration is the exchange of gases by the alveoli between the atmosphere and the blood.

Deflections of the EKG represent which of the following?
a) the contraction of the heat
b) the relaxation of the heat
c) the electrical activity that precedes contraction and relaxation
d) they physical movement that precedes contraction and relaxation

c) the electrical activity that precedes contraction and relaxation

Follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone are what type of hormones?

-tropic

Tropic hormones act on other endocrine glands.

What is the purpose of the mastication of food?

-to increase its surface area

Increasing the food's surface area promotes easier digestion by letting enzymes get to every portion of it.

What stimulates the interstitial cells of the testicles to produce testosterone?

-LH (luteinizing hormones)

Inhalation requires the contraction of what surface?

-the diaphragm

Which type of muscle is found in the walls of organs such as the stomach and intestines?

smooth visceral muscle

A bone that is part of the upper limbs is
a. metatarsal
b. metacarpal
c. tibia
d. fibula

b. metacarpal

The normal amount of urine produced in a 24-hour period is approximately

1,500-2,000 ml

What element of the blood is a factor in phagocytosis?

white blood cells

What structure is responsible for making enzymes that detoxify substances we ingest?

liver

Which hormone helps stimulate the thickening of the endometrium during menstruation?

progesterone

Which of the following is not a part of the axial skeleton?
a. vertebral column
b. skull
c. thoracic cage
d. upper limbs

d. upper limbs

Major event of muscle contraction?

stimulation occurs when acetylcholine is released from the end of a motor neuron

A ventral wound would be found

in the abdomen

Which of the following would be considered nonrespiratory air movements?
a. inspiration
b. expiration
c. inspiratory reserve volume
d. yawning

d. yawning

The pancreas secretes hormones that

regulate glucose in the blood

Thin fingerlike projections that line part of the duodenum and all of the jejunum and ileum are called

villi

How many bones are in the cervical vertebrae?

7

How many bones are in the thoracic vertebrae?

12

How many bones are in the lumbar vertebrae?

5

The latissimus dorsi are found in the

shoulders

Striated muscles attach to

bones

When air enters the bronchi, it travels to the

bronchioles

Bones are classified according to

their shape (tissue type: compact or spongy) (shape: long, short, flat, or irregular)