HESI Practice Test: Video 4 Answers (25 Questions) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which gland regulates metabolism by secreting thyroxine?

Adrenal gland
Thyroid gland (Correct answer)
Pituitary gland
Pancreas

Correct answer: Thyroid gland

The thyroid gland secretes thyroxine (T4), which controls metabolic rate.

Question 2: Which layer of the skin contains melanocytes responsible for producing pigment?

Stratum basale (Correct answer)
Stratum spinosum
Stratum corneum
Stratum granulosum

Correct answer: Stratum basale

Melanocytes are located in the stratum basale (deepest layer of the epidermis), where they produce melanin and transfer it to surrounding keratinocytes to provide skin color and UV protection.

Question 3: Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for coordinating voluntary muscle movements and maintaining balance?

Thalamus
Cerebellum (Correct answer)
Medulla oblongata
Cerebrum

Correct answer: Cerebellum

The cerebellum, located at the back and bottom of the brain, coordinates fine motor movements, balance, and posture by integrating sensory input and adjusting motor output for smooth, precise actions.

Question 4: What type of muscle tissue is found in the walls of blood vessels?

Smooth muscle (Correct answer)
Striated muscle
Cardiac muscle
Skeletal muscle

Correct answer: Smooth muscle

Smooth muscle lines hollow organs and vessels and contracts involuntarily.

Question 5: How many types of basic tissues does a human have?

25
8
14
4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4

The human body is organized into four fundamental types of tissues, each with specialized structures and functions. These are epithelial tissue (for covering and lining), connective tissue (for support and binding), muscle tissue (for movement), and nervous tissue (for communication and control). These basic tissues combine to form organs and organ systems.

Question 6: What is the meaning of the word acute?

Chronic
Permanent
Quick (Correct answer)
Tempered

Correct answer: Quick

In a medical context, 'acute' describes a condition or illness that has a sudden onset and a short, severe course. It implies a rapid development and often a quick resolution, as opposed to 'chronic,' which refers to a long-lasting condition. For example, acute pain comes on quickly.

Question 7: Which word most nearly means enervate?

Energize
Debilitate (Correct answer)
Fortify
Rectify

Correct answer: Debilitate

To enervate means to cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality; to weaken or debilitate. It implies a loss of strength or vigor, making 'debilitate' the closest synonym. The word describes a process of sapping energy or making someone feeble.

Question 8: Which of the following is the closest definition of the word distended?

Enlarged (Correct answer)
Removed
Distracted
Shrunken

Correct answer: Enlarged

The word 'distended' means swollen or stretched out of its normal shape, typically due to internal pressure. In a medical context, it often refers to an abdomen that is enlarged or bloated. Therefore, 'enlarged' is the closest and most accurate definition.

Question 9: What is the closest definition of the word sinuous?

Supple (Correct answer)
Slender
Mischievous
Thin

Correct answer: Supple

Sinuous means having many curves and turns, or winding. It also implies flexibility and grace, making 'supple' a close synonym. A sinuous movement or shape is often fluid and elegant, like a snake moving.

Question 10: What is the closest definition of the word proximal?

up
away
far
center (Correct answer)

Correct answer: center

In anatomy, 'proximal' refers to a position closer to the center of the body or the point of attachment of a limb. For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist because it is closer to the body's core. Among the given choices, 'center' best captures the idea of being closer to the main part or origin.

Question 11: Which clue helps identify the meaning of a word through contrast?

Punctuation marks
The length of the sentence
The title of the passage
Words like 'however' or 'unlike' (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Words like 'however' or 'unlike'

Words like 'however,' 'unlike,' 'but,' 'in contrast,' or 'on the other hand' are crucial contrast clues that help identify the meaning of an unfamiliar word. These signal words indicate that the information following them will present an opposite or different idea from what was previously stated. By understanding this opposition, readers can infer the meaning of the unknown term.

Question 12: Why is it important to identify bias in a passage?

To evaluate the trustworthiness of the content (Correct answer)
To find the author’s name
To memorize the content
To understand emotional words

Correct answer: To evaluate the trustworthiness of the content

Identifying bias in a passage is critical because it reveals the author's potential leanings, prejudices, or one-sided perspectives, which can influence the information presented. Recognizing bias allows readers to critically evaluate the content's objectivity, question its reliability, and determine the trustworthiness of the information. This critical assessment is essential for forming well-informed and balanced opinions.

Question 13: A passage compares two treatments by listing similarities and differences. What text structure is this?

Compare and contrast (Correct answer)
Chronological order
Description
Cause and effect

Correct answer: Compare and contrast

Listing similarities and differences between items is the compare-and-contrast structure.

Question 14: Which sentence states a fact rather than an opinion?

The movie was too long and boring.
Everyone should exercise more often.
Summer is the best season of the year.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.

A boiling point is a measurable, verifiable fact, while the others express judgments.

Question 15: What is the author's purpose if a passage informs the reader?

To entertain
To persuade
To describe a product
To inform (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To inform

If a passage primarily presents facts, explanations, or instructions without attempting to sway opinion or evoke strong emotions, the author's purpose is to inform. This purpose aims to educate the reader by providing objective data, explaining concepts, or describing events. Recognizing the author's purpose helps readers understand the text's intent and interpret its content appropriately.

Question 16: Which type of macromolecule are enzymes primarily composed of?

Lipids
Nucleic acids
Proteins (Correct answer)
Carbohydrates

Correct answer: Proteins

Most enzymes are proteins folded into specific catalytic shapes.

Question 17: Which of the following best describes a hypertonic solution relative to a cell?

Higher solute concentration outside, water leaves the cell (Correct answer)
Equal solute concentration, no net water movement
Lower solute concentration outside, cell swells
No solutes present in the solution

Correct answer: Higher solute concentration outside, water leaves the cell

In a hypertonic environment water moves out, causing the cell to shrink.

Question 18: What is the role of the cell membrane's phospholipid bilayer?

Storing genetic information
Regulating what enters and exits the cell (Correct answer)
Producing proteins
Generating ATP

Correct answer: Regulating what enters and exits the cell

The selectively permeable bilayer controls movement of substances in and out.

Question 19: Which type of inheritance pattern is demonstrated when both alleles are fully expressed in the heterozygous phenotype?

Codominance (Correct answer)
Incomplete dominance
Complete dominance
Epistasis

Correct answer: Codominance

Codominance occurs when both alleles in a heterozygote are fully and simultaneously expressed, such as AB blood type.

Question 20: A cell with 46 chromosomes undergoes meiosis. How many chromosomes does each resulting gamete contain?

23 (Correct answer)
46
92
12

Correct answer: 23

Meiosis halves the chromosome number, producing haploid gametes with 23 chromosomes.

Question 21: The final step in the clinical reasoning cycle is typically to:

Reflect on the process and outcomes (Correct answer)
Start a new assessment immediately
Document only
Discharge the patient

Correct answer: Reflect on the process and outcomes

Reflection on process and outcomes completes and improves reasoning.

Question 22: Why do biologists repeat experiments multiple times?

To extend the data range
To confuse variables
To ensure consistent results (Correct answer)
To impress peer reviewers

Correct answer: To ensure consistent results

Biologists repeat experiments multiple times, a practice known as replication, to ensure the consistency and reliability of their results. Repeating experiments helps to confirm that the observed outcomes are not due to random chance or experimental error, thereby increasing confidence in the validity of the findings.

Question 23: When two interventions seem equally valid, critical thinking requires the nurse to:

Weigh risks and benefits for the specific patient (Correct answer)
Ask another patient
Choose the faster one
Pick randomly

Correct answer: Weigh risks and benefits for the specific patient

Comparing risks and benefits for the individual guides sound decisions.

Question 24: Which is the best example of analyzing cues for clustering?

Grouping related signs and symptoms to identify a pattern (Correct answer)
Listing data alphabetically
Reading the chart aloud
Recording vital signs only

Correct answer: Grouping related signs and symptoms to identify a pattern

Clustering groups related cues to reveal meaningful patterns.

Question 25: Which is the most reasonable hypothesis if two closely related species show different traits?

They mutated at the same time
They are unrelated species
They evolved from different ancestors
They adapted to different environments (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They adapted to different environments

Even closely related species can develop different traits if they adapt to distinct environmental conditions or ecological niches. Natural selection favors characteristics that enhance survival and reproduction in a particular environment, leading to the divergence of traits over time as species specialize.

HESI Practice Test: Video 4 Answers (25 Questions)

Which gland regulates metabolism by secreting thyroxine?

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