HESI A2
Anatomy and Physiology Hesi A2 Practice Test
1. Which hormone is involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle?
- A. Insulin
- B. Melatonin
- C. Cortisol
- D. Thyroxine
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Melatonin. Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, is the hormone involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. It plays a crucial role in signaling the body that it is time to sleep and is influenced by light exposure. Melatonin levels typically rise in the evening, promoting sleep, and decrease in the morning, helping in waking up. Choice A, Insulin, is involved in regulating blood sugar levels, not the sleep-wake cycle. Choice C, Cortisol, is a stress hormone that helps regulate metabolism and immune response but is not primarily involved in the sleep-wake cycle. Choice D, Thyroxine, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism, growth, and development, but it is not directly involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
2. What role does the liver play in metabolism?
- A. To produce bile
- B. To detoxify harmful substances
- C. To store glucose
- D. To produce insulin
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To detoxify harmful substances.' The liver is primarily responsible for detoxifying harmful substances present in the blood as part of its role in metabolism. While the liver does produce bile to aid in digestion and stores glucose for energy regulation, its main function in metabolism is detoxification. The liver does not produce insulin; insulin is produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels.
3. What is the name of the outermost layer of the skin?
- A. dermis
- B. epidermis
- C. subcutaneous tissue
- D. hypodermis
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The epidermis is the correct answer as it is the outermost layer of the skin. It acts as a protective barrier against environmental factors and helps in regulating moisture balance. The epidermis is also where new skin cells are continuously formed and contains melanocytes responsible for skin pigmentation. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. The dermis is the layer beneath the epidermis, the subcutaneous tissue is the deepest layer of the skin, and the hypodermis lies below the dermis.
4. What is the primary role of the small intestine in nutrient absorption?
- A. To break down food
- B. To absorb nutrients
- C. To secrete digestive enzymes
- D. To store glucose
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To absorb nutrients.' The small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption in the digestive system. It plays a crucial role in absorbing nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream, facilitating the delivery of essential nutrients to the body for various functions and processes. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because while the small intestine does contribute to the breakdown of food and does secrete digestive enzymes, its primary function is to absorb nutrients, not to store glucose.
5. What is the function of the stomach in digestion?
- A. To absorb nutrients
- B. To break down food
- C. To secrete digestive enzymes
- D. To store glucose
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To break down food.' The stomach's primary function in digestion is to break down food mechanically and chemically. It accomplishes this by mixing food with gastric acid and digestive enzymes, resulting in the formation of chyme, a semi-liquid mixture that moves on to further digestion in the small intestine. Choice A is incorrect because the absorption of nutrients occurs mainly in the small intestine, not in the stomach. Choice C is incorrect because while the stomach does secrete digestive enzymes like pepsin, its primary role is not just limited to enzyme secretion. Choice D is incorrect because the storage of glucose primarily occurs in the liver and muscles, not in the stomach.
Similar Questions

Access More Features
HESI A2 Basic
$49/ 30 days
- 3,000 Questions with answers
- 30 days access @ $49
HESI A2 Premium
$99/ 90 days
- Actual HESI A 2 Questions
- 3,000 questions with answers
- 90 days access @ $99