The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
The HESI scores Anatomy & Physiology as its own section and returns to the same high-yield facts every form: the path of blood through the heart, directional terminology, and a short list of structures that are easy to confuse with each other. This topic collects them.
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Key points
Understand these first
Blood flow: body → right atrium → tricuspid → right ventricle → pulmonic → LUNGS → left atrium → mitral → left ventricle → aortic → body.
The left ventricle is thickest because it pumps against the highest pressure — not because it holds more blood.
The pulmonary ARTERY carries oxygen-poor blood and the pulmonary VEINS carry oxygen-rich blood — the two exceptions to the usual rule.
Directional terms: proximal (nearer the trunk) vs distal; superior vs inferior; anterior vs posterior.
Inhalation is ACTIVE: the diaphragm contracts and moves down, enlarging the chest.
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Study first
Where to start
Trace a drop of blood from a stubbed toe back to the toe: vein → vena cava → RA → RV → pulmonary artery → lungs → pulmonary veins → LA → LV → aorta → artery → toe.
Locate the wrist relative to the elbow: the wrist is DISTAL (farther from the trunk); the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
Saying 'arteries always carry oxygenated blood' — the pulmonary artery is the standing exception.
Swapping ligament (bone to bone) and tendon (muscle to bone).
Swapping ureter (kidney → bladder) and urethra (bladder → outside); they differ by one letter.
Swapping the adrenal medulla (epinephrine) with the adrenal cortex (cortisol, aldosterone).
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Commonly tested
What comes up most
Say the heart path aloud until it is automatic — it underpins a large share of the section's questions.
For any pair you keep confusing, write both on one line with the difference in the middle. The contrast is what you are actually learning.
❓ A&P Quick Reference: TEAS & HESI FAQs
What should I focus on first when studying A&P Quick Reference?
Trace a drop of blood from a stubbed toe back to the toe: vein → vena cava → RA → RV → pulmonary artery → lungs → pulmonary veins → LA → LV → aorta → artery → toe. Locate the wrist relative to the elbow: the wrist is DISTAL (farther from the trunk); the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
What are the warning signs of A&P Quick Reference a nurse must report?
Saying 'arteries always carry oxygenated blood' — the pulmonary artery is the standing exception. Swapping ligament (bone to bone) and tendon (muscle to bone). Swapping ureter (kidney → bladder) and urethra (bladder → outside); they differ by one letter. Swapping the adrenal medulla (epinephrine) with the adrenal cortex (cortisol, aldosterone).
What do I need to know about A&P Quick Reference for the TEAS or HESI?
Blood flow: body → right atrium → tricuspid → right ventricle → pulmonic → LUNGS → left atrium → mitral → left ventricle → aortic → body. The left ventricle is thickest because it pumps against the highest pressure — not because it holds more blood. The pulmonary ARTERY carries oxygen-poor blood and the pulmonary VEINS carry oxygen-rich blood — the two exceptions to the usual rule. Directional terms: proximal (nearer the trunk) vs distal; superior vs inferior; anterior vs posterior.
What are the most commonly tested points on A&P Quick Reference?
Say the heart path aloud until it is automatic — it underpins a large share of the section's questions. For any pair you keep confusing, write both on one line with the difference in the middle. The contrast is what you are actually learning.
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Quick Tip
Blood flow: body → right atrium → tricuspid → right ventricle → pulmonic → LUNGS → left atrium → mitral → left ventricle → aortic → body.