These 30 anatomy and physiology questions and answers cover the body systems nursing students meet in first-year exams, entrance exams and licensing exams: cells and tissues, blood, the heart, the respiratory system, the kidneys, the nervous and endocrine systems, digestion and reproduction. Each answer has a short explanation linking it to nursing practice.
Cells, tissues and blood
1. The “powerhouse” of the cell that produces ATP is the:
A. Nucleus
B. Mitochondrion
C. Ribosome
D. Golgi apparatus
Answer: B.
2. Red blood cells normally live for about:
A. 7 days
B. 30 days
C. 120 days
D. 1 year
Answer: C. Old cells are broken down in the spleen and liver.
3. Which blood cells fight bacterial infection first?
A. Eosinophils
B. Neutrophils
C. Basophils
D. Platelets
Answer: B. Low neutrophils (neutropenia) raise infection risk.
4. The universal donor red cell blood group is:
A. AB positive
B. O negative
C. A positive
D. B negative
Answer: B. AB positive is the universal recipient.
5. Which vitamin is needed to make clotting factors?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin K
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin B12
Answer: B. Newborns receive vitamin K at birth.
Cardiovascular system
6. The natural pacemaker of the heart is the:
A. AV node
B. SA node
C. Bundle of His
D. Purkinje fibres
Answer: B.
7. Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the:
A. Right atrium
B. Left atrium
C. Right ventricle
D. Aorta
Answer: B. Via the pulmonary veins.
8. The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle is the:
A. Tricuspid
B. Mitral (bicuspid)
C. Pulmonary
D. Aortic
Answer: B.
9. Cardiac output equals:
A. Heart rate × stroke volume
B. Blood pressure × heart rate
C. Stroke volume ÷ heart rate
D. Heart rate + stroke volume
Answer: A. Normal adult cardiac output is about 5 L/min.
10. The coronary arteries supply blood to the:
A. Lungs
B. Heart muscle
C. Brain
D. Kidneys
Answer: B. Blockage causes a heart attack.
Respiratory system
11. Gas exchange takes place in the:
A. Trachea
B. Bronchi
C. Alveoli
D. Pleura
Answer: C.
12. The main muscle of breathing is the:
A. Intercostals
B. Diaphragm
C. Pectoralis
D. Sternocleidomastoid
Answer: B.
13. The main stimulus for breathing in a healthy person is a rise in blood:
A. Oxygen
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Glucose
D. Sodium
Answer: B.
14. Surfactant in the lungs:
A. Kills bacteria
B. Reduces surface tension and keeps alveoli open
C. Carries oxygen
D. Produces mucus
Answer: B. Premature babies may lack surfactant.
Renal system and fluids
15. The functional unit of the kidney is the:
A. Neuron
B. Nephron
C. Alveolus
D. Ureter
Answer: B.
16. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) causes the kidneys to:
A. Lose more water
B. Reabsorb water
C. Lose sodium
D. Make red cells
Answer: B. Lack of ADH causes diabetes insipidus.
17. The kidneys produce which hormone that stimulates red cell production?
A. Insulin
B. Erythropoietin
C. Cortisol
D. Thyroxine
Answer: B. This is why chronic kidney disease causes anaemia.
18. The main intracellular cation is:
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Chloride
Answer: B. Sodium is the main extracellular cation.
Nervous system
19. The part of the brain that controls balance and coordination is the:
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla
D. Hypothalamus
Answer: B.
20. Breathing and heart rate are controlled by the:
A. Frontal lobe
B. Medulla oblongata
C. Occipital lobe
D. Pituitary
Answer: B.
21. The “fight or flight” response is produced by the:
A. Parasympathetic system
B. Sympathetic system
C. Somatic system
D. Cerebellum
Answer: B.
22. Cerebrospinal fluid is normally:
A. Cloudy
B. Clear and colourless
C. Yellow
D. Red
Answer: B. Cloudy CSF suggests infection.
Endocrine system
23. Insulin is produced by the:
A. Alpha cells of the pancreas
B. Beta cells of the pancreas
C. Adrenal cortex
D. Liver
Answer: B. Glucagon comes from alpha cells.
24. The “master gland” is the:
A. Thyroid
B. Pituitary
C. Adrenal
D. Pineal
Answer: B.
25. The thyroid gland needs which mineral to make thyroid hormones?
A. Iron
B. Iodine
C. Zinc
D. Calcium
Answer: B. Iodine deficiency causes goitre.
Digestive and reproductive systems
26. Bile is made in the liver and stored in the:
A. Pancreas
B. Gallbladder
C. Stomach
D. Spleen
Answer: B. Bile emulsifies fats.
27. Most nutrients are absorbed in the:
A. Stomach
B. Small intestine
C. Large intestine
D. Oesophagus
Answer: B.
28. Intrinsic factor, needed to absorb vitamin B12, is produced in the:
A. Liver
B. Stomach
C. Colon
D. Mouth
Answer: B.
29. Fertilisation normally occurs in the:
A. Uterus
B. Fallopian tube
C. Ovary
D. Cervix
Answer: B. Implantation outside the uterus is an ectopic pregnancy.
30. The hormone that maintains early pregnancy and is detected by pregnancy tests is:
A. Oestrogen
B. hCG
C. Prolactin
D. Oxytocin
Answer: B.
Study tips
- Learn each structure with its function and a related nursing problem.
- Draw and label diagrams from memory.
- Teach a topic to a classmate: if you can explain it, you know it.
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