HESI A2
HESI A2 Practice Test Anatomy and Physiology Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is the function of the pancreas in digestion?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Secreting digestive enzymes. The pancreas aids in digestion by secreting digestive enzymes that are essential for breaking down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the small intestine. These enzymes help in the absorption of nutrients from food, facilitating the digestive process. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. The pancreas does not produce bile (choice B), store glucose (choice C), or primarily regulate blood sugar levels (choice D) in the context of digestion.
Question 2 of 5
Which vitamin is important for vision?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Vitamin A. Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining healthy vision, particularly in low-light conditions. It plays a key role in the health of the retina and is necessary for the proper functioning of the eye. Deficiency in Vitamin A can lead to night blindness and other vision problems. Vitamin C is important for the immune system and skin health, not specifically for vision. Vitamin D is essential for bone health and overall well-being, but it is not directly related to vision. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting, but it is not specifically linked to vision.
Question 3 of 5
Which type of muscle is found in the heart?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac muscle is a specialized type of muscle found only in the heart. It is responsible for the rhythmic contractions that pump blood throughout the body. Unlike smooth and skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle has its own unique structure and function to meet the demands of the heart's continuous pumping action. Smooth muscle is found in the walls of internal organs and blood vessels, not in the heart. Skeletal muscle is attached to bones and helps in movement but is not found in the heart. Striated muscle is a broader term that includes both cardiac and skeletal muscle, but specifically, cardiac muscle refers to the muscle tissue of the heart.
Question 4 of 5
Which brain structure is responsible for regulating hunger and thirst?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is the hypothalamus. This brain structure plays a crucial role in regulating hunger, thirst, body temperature, and various autonomic functions. The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining homeostasis by responding to sensory signals and releasing appropriate hormones to control these essential physiological processes. The cerebellum (Choice B) is primarily involved in coordinating movement and balance, not hunger and thirst. The medulla oblongata (Choice C) is responsible for regulating vital autonomic functions such as breathing and heartbeat, but not hunger and thirst. The cerebrum (Choice D) is involved in higher brain functions such as thinking, decision-making, and processing sensory information, but it is not primarily responsible for regulating hunger and thirst.
Question 5 of 5
What is the primary function of the skeletal system?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary function of the skeletal system is to protect vital organs, provide structural support, and enable movement. It serves as a framework that supports and protects internal organs, such as the brain, heart, and lungs. Choice A is incorrect because blood cell production primarily occurs in the bone marrow, a component of the skeletal system but not its primary function. Choice C is incorrect because fat storage is not a primary function of the skeletal system. Choice D is incorrect because hormone secretion is mainly regulated by endocrine glands, not the skeletal system.