HESI A2
HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology Practice Exam
1. What is the first step in pulmonary circulation?
- A. Blood moves toward the heart through the pulmonary veins.
- B. The pulmonary artery carries blood from the heart to the lungs.
- C. Carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen.
- D. Oxygenated blood moves through the aorta.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The pulmonary artery carries blood from the heart to the lungs. The first step in pulmonary circulation involves the right ventricle of the heart pumping deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery then carries this deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. This step is crucial for the exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen to occur in the lungs, facilitating the oxygenation of blood. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not represent the initial step in pulmonary circulation. Option A refers to blood moving away from the heart, option C describes the gas exchange process that occurs in the lungs but not as the first step, and option D mentions oxygenated blood moving through the aorta, which happens after oxygenation in the lungs.
2. Which gland produces melatonin?
- A. Pineal gland
- B. Thyroid gland
- C. Adrenal gland
- D. Pituitary gland
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is the Pineal gland. This gland is responsible for producing melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin production is influenced by exposure to light, with levels typically rising in the evening to promote sleep and falling in the morning to aid wakefulness. The Thyroid gland (choice B) produces hormones that regulate metabolism, the Adrenal gland (choice C) produces hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, and the Pituitary gland (choice D) controls several other glands in the endocrine system.
3. The shoulder is _________ to the elbow.
- A. posterior
- B. proximal
- C. distal
- D. medial
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Proximal refers to a position closer to the point of attachment or origin. In this case, the shoulder is closer to the point of attachment to the body compared to the elbow, making it proximal to the elbow. 'Posterior' refers to the back side of the body, 'distal' means farther away from the point of attachment, and 'medial' refers to the middle of the body. These terms do not accurately describe the relationship between the shoulder and the elbow in this context.
4. Which muscle is responsible for breathing?
- A. Diaphragm
- B. Intercostal muscles
- C. Rectus abdominis
- D. Pectoralis major
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The diaphragm is the primary muscle responsible for breathing. It is a large, dome-shaped muscle located at the base of the chest cavity. When it contracts, it flattens, increasing the volume of the chest cavity and causing inhalation. When it relaxes, it returns to its dome shape, decreasing the volume of the chest cavity and causing exhalation. The intercostal muscles, located between the ribs, assist the diaphragm in breathing by expanding and contracting the chest cavity. The rectus abdominis and pectoralis major are not directly involved in the process of breathing.
5. Which of the following is not a principal organ of the nervous system?
- A. Brain
- B. Thymus
- C. Ganglia
- D. Spinal cord
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The thymus is not a principal organ of the nervous system; it is part of the immune system. The brain, spinal cord, and ganglia are principal organs of the nervous system. The brain is responsible for processing information, the spinal cord helps transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body, and ganglia are clusters of nerve cells that support the nervous system's functions. Therefore, the thymus is the correct answer as it is not directly involved in nervous system functions.
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