what is the primary function of the liver
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Nursing Elites

HESI A2

Anatomy HESI A2 Practice Test

1. What is the primary function of the liver?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The primary function of the liver is to detoxify harmful substances in the blood. While the liver also produces bile, which aids in digestion, stores glycogen for energy storage, and participates in metabolism, its main and essential function is detoxification. Producing insulin is mainly attributed to the pancreas, not the liver.

2. Which type of muscle is found in the walls of hollow organs?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Smooth muscle tissue is found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the intestines, blood vessels, and bladder. It contracts involuntarily, allowing for movements like peristalsis in the intestines and regulation of blood flow in blood vessels. Skeletal muscle (Choice A) is attached to bones and helps in voluntary movements. Cardiac muscle (Choice B) is found in the heart and contracts involuntarily to pump blood. Striated muscle (Choice D) refers to both skeletal and cardiac muscles, which have a striped appearance due to the organization of their filaments. However, smooth muscle (Choice C) is specifically the type found in hollow organs.

3. Which hormone is released during the body's fight-or-flight response?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is released during the body's fight-or-flight response. This hormone prepares the body for rapid action by increasing heart rate, dilating airways, and redirecting blood flow to essential organs in response to stress or danger. Insulin is not released during the fight-or-flight response; its primary role is to regulate blood sugar levels. Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism, and cortisol is released in response to stress to regulate various bodily functions, but adrenaline is the hormone specifically associated with the fight-or-flight response.

4. What is the primary function of the kidneys in the urinary system?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'To filter waste from the blood.' The primary function of the kidneys in the urinary system is to filter waste products and excess substances from the blood, forming urine, which is then excreted from the body. This process helps maintain the body's internal environment by regulating the balance of electrolytes, fluid levels, and eliminating metabolic waste products. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while the kidneys do produce urine, regulate blood pressure, and maintain fluid balance, their primary function within the urinary system is the filtration of waste from the blood.

5. Which of the heart's four chambers is the largest and the strongest?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the left ventricle. The left ventricle is the largest and strongest chamber of the heart. It pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body, making it a vital component of the circulatory system. The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs, the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, and the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body.

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