What the section covers
School guides such as Western Technical College's describe general terminology plus anatomical structures and systems. With only 25 scored questions spread over the whole body, any one system gets just a few. Breadth matters more than depth. See every topic on the HESI A2 A&P page.
Start with the language of the body
Directional terms, planes, and cavities show up across systems: anterior/posterior, superior/inferior, medial/lateral, proximal/distal; the sagittal, frontal (coronal), and transverse planes; the cranial, thoracic, and abdominopelvic cavities. Learn them first; they make every other topic easier to read.
Systems to prioritize
Heart and circulation
Trace blood in order: body → venae cavae → right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary trunk → lungs → pulmonary veins → left atrium → left ventricle → aorta → body. Know the four valves and the conduction path (SA node → AV node → bundle of His → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers).
Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta?
Respiratory
Air path from nose to alveoli, gas exchange by diffusion in the alveoli, and the diaphragm contracting to draw air in.
Urinary
The nephron filters blood, reabsorbs what the body keeps, and secretes waste. Urine flows from kidney to ureter to bladder to urethra.
What is the functional unit of the kidney?
Endocrine
Match each gland to its main hormones and their effects: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, and the gonads. Negative feedback (a rising level turns off its own signal) explains most of the system.
Which cells produce insulin?
Nervous, skeletal, muscular, digestive, and the rest
Neurons and impulses, the divisions of the nervous system, bone types and joint types, muscle types and contraction, the digestive path and where nutrients are absorbed, the skin's layers, lymph and immunity, and the reproductive organs. Cover each at least once before going deep on any.
How to study A&P
- Explain each system out loud as a chain of cause and effect, then check yourself.
- Draw blood flow and the nephron from memory until you can do it without peeking.
- Give A&P a little time most days instead of one long block, because there is so much of it.
- If your school also requires Biology, study cells there and here together.
On NurseSavvy every A&P topic has a cheat sheet and practice questions. Take a timed A&P practice test to see which systems need work.
HESI and HESI A2 are registered trademarks of Elsevier. NurseSavvy is not affiliated with or endorsed by Elsevier.
Common questions
What is on the HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology section?
Body terminology (directions, planes, cavities), cells and tissues, and the major systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive.
How many A&P questions are on the HESI A2?
Usually 30 (25 scored plus 5 unscored pilot questions) in about 25 minutes.
Is HESI A2 A&P hard?
It covers a lot of material for few questions, so each question can come from anywhere. If you recently finished an A&P course, much of it will be familiar. Learn how each system works, not just the names of its parts.
Do I need to take A&P before the HESI A2?
Not always, but it helps. Many programs require A&P as a prerequisite anyway. If you have not taken it, start this section early.