HESI A2 Anatomy

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Sample questions from HESI A2 Anatomy

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A 24-year-old patient in the emergency department reports pain that began near the umbilicus and moved to the right lower abdomen. Temperature is 38.2 C, heart rate is 104/min, and blood pressure is 118/72 mm Hg. Which structure is most likely inflamed?

   • A.Vermiform appendix
   • B.Gallbladder
   • C.Sigmoid colon
   • D.Spleen

   Rationale: The appendix arises from the cecum in the right lower quadrant, matching the migration and final location of this pain. The gallbladder is in the right upper quadrant, whereas the sigmoid colon is primarily in the left lower quadrant. The spleen is in the left upper quadrant. The exam takeaway is to connect abdominal symptoms with underlying organ locations.

2. 2.A 68-year-old patient on a stroke unit suddenly develops right arm weakness and difficulty producing speech. Blood pressure is 176/94 mm Hg, and glucose is 102 mg/dL. Injury to which region best explains these findings?

   • A.Right occipital lobe
   • B.Left frontal lobe
   • C.Left cerebellar hemisphere
   • D.Right temporal lobe

   Rationale: The left frontal lobe contains motor areas controlling the right side and, in most people, Broca's area for speech production. The right occipital lobe primarily processes visual information. The left cerebellum coordinates movement, while the right temporal lobe is more closely associated with auditory and nonverbal processing. Pair contralateral weakness with impaired speech production to identify the dominant frontal region.

3. 3.A 42-year-old patient arrives at urgent care after falling onto an outstretched hand. The wrist is swollen, and tenderness is greatest in the anatomical snuffbox near the thumb; radial pulse is 2+. Which bone should the nurse suspect is injured?

   • A.Pisiform
   • B.Distal ulna
   • C.Scaphoid
   • D.Fifth metacarpal

   Rationale: Snuffbox tenderness after a fall suggests a scaphoid fracture. The pisiform and distal ulna are on the little-finger side of the wrist, not the radial snuffbox. The fifth metacarpal supports the little finger and is commonly injured by punching. The exam takeaway is that scaphoid injuries require prompt evaluation because disrupted blood supply can impair healing.

4. 4.A 57-year-old patient in a medical clinic has fatigue and bilateral ankle edema. Examination reveals distended neck veins, and an echocardiogram shows impaired right ventricular function. Which vessel delivers systemic venous blood directly into the right atrium?

   • A.Pulmonary vein
   • B.Aorta
   • C.Pulmonary artery
   • D.Superior vena cava

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A 31-year-old patient in the emergency department has a severe asthma exacerbation, with respiratory rate 30/min and oxygen saturation 90% on room air. The nurse administers inhaled albuterol as prescribed. Relaxation of which tissue produces the medication's immediate therapeutic effect?

   • A.Bronchiolar smooth muscle
   • B.Alveolar epithelial cells
   • C.Pleural connective tissue
   • D.Diaphragmatic skeletal muscle

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.