HESI A2 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTION AND
ANSWERS
1. What is a clear, watery fluid found in the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye?
A.
... [Show More] Vitreous humor
B. Ciliary body
C. Lacrimal gland
D. Aqueous humor
Answer: D
Rationale: Aqueous humor is a clear, watery fluid similar in composition to blood plasma and is commonly found in the anterior and posterior
chambers. The posterior cavity, located dorsal to the lens, contains the (A) vitreous humor, a thick, clear, gelatinous fluid. The (B) ciliary body is
the structure of the eye that releases the aqueous humor. The (C) lacrimal gland continually secretes tears which moisten, lubricate, and protect
the surface of the eyes.
2. What is correct about the aqueous humor?
A. It balances absorption and pressure in the anterior chamber
B. It is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary bodies
C. Its inability to circulate freely can cause elevated intraocular pressure D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: All three choices describe how the aqueous fluid forms and circulates in the eye. The aqueous humor’s inability to absorb could
develop into an increased intraocular pressure which may lead to blindness when the pressure is transmitted to the vitreous humor.
3. All of the following are phagocytes EXCEPT:
A. Neutrophil
B. Lymphocytes
C. Eosinophil
D. Monocytes
Answer: B
Rationale: (A) Neutrophils are capable of phagocytosis, or destruction of bacteria. (B) Lymphocytes offer mediate immune responses, including
antigen-antibody reactions. (C) Eosinophils are phagocytes that protect you from parasites. (D) Monocytes are phagocytes that defend against
bacteria and viruses.
4. When a person is seen walking in heels, the ankle is described as being in what position?
A. Plantar flexion
B. Dorsiflexion
C. Eversion
D. Abduction
Answer: A
Rationale: (A) Plantar flexion is the movement which decreases the angle between the sole of the foot and the back of the leg, like ballerinas
dancing. (B).Dorsiflexion decreases the angle between the dorsum of the foot and the leg (C) Eversion is a turning outward or inside out, such as
a turning of the foot outward at the ankle. (D) Abduction refers to a motion that pulls a body part away from the midline, like abducting your
arms when you open them out like a bird.
5. Which of the following statements best illustrates a correct anatomical position?
A. Standing erect without moving facing down and thumbs pointing towards the body
B. Standing erect with palms facing forward and thumbs pointing away from the body
C. Standing erect with palms facing forward and thumbs pointing towards the body
D. Standing erect with palms facing down and thumbs pointing away from the body
Answer: B
Rationale: A correct anatomical position is exactly as described in answer choice B. This position is used as a reference to describe sites, motions,
body planes and regions.
6. A frontal section divides the body into:
A. Right and left parts
B. Anterior and posterior parts
C. Midsagittal and median section
D. Superior and inferior parts
Answer: B
Rationale: Frontal or coronal plane divide the body into front and back (also called dorsal and ventral or posterior and anterior) sections. (A)
describes the sagittal or lateral plane, a left to right cut. (C) explains that the plane may be in the centre of the body and split it into two halves
(midsagittal). (D) refers to transverse planes, also known as the axial or horizontal planes, dividing the body into top and bottom parts. The top
and bottom sections also called the superior and inferior sections.
7. Which of the following is seen mostly inside the epiphyses of each long bone?
A. Yellow marrow
B. Cartilage
C. Spongy bone
D. Compact bone
Answer: C
Rationale: A typical long bone has epiphyses which are at the ends of the bone, and consist of internal spongy bone covered by an outer layer of
(D) compact bone. (A) Yellow marrow, which is mainly made up of fat cells, are found inside a hollow medullary cavity of the tubular bone shaft
and not the epiphyses. (B) Cartilage is found between bones.
8. Which of the following is true about the trochanter? A. It is attached to the lower part of the radius
B. It is attached to the lower part of ulna
C. It is attached to the upper part of the tibia
D. it is attached to the upper part of the femur
Answer: D
Rationale: Trochanter is a very large, blunt, upper part of the femur which connects to the hip. (A) describes a connection a bone in the lower
arm. (B) also describes connection the arm and (C) describes a connection to the lower leg, below the knee.
9. Which of the following statements are true about bone markings?
A. Bone markings are projections, depressions and openings found in the surface of the bones.
B. They serve as sites of muscle, ligament and tendon attachment
C. The openings serve as passages of blood vessels and nerves
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Bone markings are projections, depressions, and openings found on the surface of bones that function as sites of muscle, ligament,
and tendon attachment, as joint surfaces, and as openings for the passage of blood vessels and nerves.
10. In order to achieve normal bone growth and development, the following factors are essential EXCEPT: A. High fat diet
B. Growth hormone
C. Sex hormones
D. Vitamins A, C, and D
Answer: A
Rationale: Having a high fat diet has nothing to do with bone growth and development. (B) Growth hormones stimulates division of cartilage
cells in the epiphyseal disks, thereby lack or excess of these hormones could result to dwarfism or gigantism. (C) Sex hormones promote
formation of bone tissue. (D) Vitamin A is necessary for osteoblast and osteoclast activity during normal development, Vitamin C is required for
collagen synthesis, and Vitamin D is necessary for proper absorption of calcium in the small intestine. In the absence of this vitamin, calcium is
poorly absorbed, and the inorganic salt portion of bone matrix lacks calcium, which then softens and deforms bones.
11. A person who suffered a traumatic injury in the inguinal area is most likely to die due to a hemorrhage because of a severed:
A. Femoral artery
B. Popliteal artery
C. Carotid artery
D. Brachial artery
Answer: A
Rationale: The inguinal area is around the groin area: near the lower abdomen and thigh. The femoral artery is a large artery in the thigh and the
main blood supply to the lower limb. (B) The popliteal artery is located in the knee and the back of the leg. The carotid artery (C) is located in the
neck. Brachial artery (D) is a major blood vessel of the upper arm.
12. Which of the following is correct about the epicardium? A. It is the pacemaker of the heart
B. It lines the heart chambers
C. It is the visceral epicardium
D. It is also known as the parietal pericardium
Answer: C
Rationale: The inner part of the pericardium that closely envelops the heart is, as stated, the epicardium; it is also called the visceral
pericardium. The pacemaker of the heart is the sinoatrial node (A). The endocardium is the innermost layer of tissue that lines the chambers of
the heart (B). The parietal pericardium is the outer layer of the pericardium which is a conical sac of fibrous tissue that surrounds the heart and
the roots of the great blood vessels (D).
13. The nursing student was instructed to palpate the carotid artery. Where is the carotid artery located?
A. Halfway between the shoulder and hand; in the middle of the inner arm
B. Upper neck between the sternomastoid and trachea
C. The inner thigh, at the mid-inguinal point
D. In front of the tragus of the ear and up along the temple
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct location of the carotid artery during palpation is at the upper neck between the sternocleidomastoid and trachea. (A)
describes the brachial artery. (C) describes the femoral artery. (D) describes the temporal artery.
14. What artery supplies blood to the structures of the neck and face?
A. Axillary artery
B. Brachial artery
C. Carotid artery
D. Femoral artery
Answer: C
Rationale: The external carotid artery supplies the areas of the head and neck external to the cranium. (A) supplies blood to the axilla (armpit)
and the upper limb. (B) supplies blood to the elbow joint, the forearm, and the hand. (D) The femoral artery supplies blood to the lower limb and
is located in the thigh region.
15. Which of the following is correct about the cerumen?
A. It provides protection to the ear from bacteria, fungus, insects and water.
B. Impacted cerumen can lead to dizziness and motion sickness.
C. It is produced by the vibrations in the ear drum.
D. It is found in the inner ear drum.
Answer: A
Rationale: Cerumen, or earwax, can provide protection from bacteria, fungus, insects and water. (B) Impacted cerumen can lead to hearing loss
and not dizziness or motion sickness. (C) Cerumen earwax is produced by glands and not vibrations. (D) Cerumen is made by the body in the
outer ear canal, in front of the eardrum, not inside.
16. Chemoreceptor stimulation is associated with regulation of:
A. Breathing
B. Pain control
C. Temperature
D. Blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Breathing is regulated by the concentration of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood which is what chemoreceptors detect. (B) The
limbic system regulates pain. (C) The hypothalamus regulates body temperature. (D) Baroreceptors regulate blood pressure.
17. The three chambers, or scalae, that make up the interior of the cochlea are:
A. Upper Vestibular Canal, Lower Tympanic Canal, and Cochlear Duct
B. Perilymph, Endolymph and Cochlear Duct
C. Upper Vestibular Canal, Lower Tympanic Canal, and Organ [Show Less]