ATI TEAS 6 - General Anatomy and Physiology 2026/2027 Edition
ATI TEAS 6 — GENERAL ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY
Comprehensive Examination • 2026/2027 Edition • Nursing Program Admission Standards
Total 30% Recall / 50% Application / 20%
40 Multiple-Choice Cognitive Mix
Questions Analysis
Time Limit 60 Minutes Format Single Best Answer (A–D)
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. Markings next to the correct choice are provided for
self-evaluation. Each rationale explains why the correct answer is right and why distractors are wrong, aligned with
the ATI TEAS Version 6 Science Content Outline and standard nursing A&P; curricula.
Section 1: Anatomical Terminology & Body Organization
Q1: Which of the following represents the correct hierarchical sequence of structural organization in the
human body, from simplest to most complex?
A. Cellular → Chemical → Tissue → Organ → System → Organismal
B. Chemical → Cellular → Tissue → Organ → System → Organismal *[CORRECT]*
C. Chemical → Tissue → Cellular → Organ → System → Organismal
D. Cellular → Tissue → Chemical → Organ → System → Organismal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The human body is organized hierarchically from chemical (atoms and molecules) → cellular (basic unit of
life) → tissue (groups of similar cells) → organ (two or more tissues) → organ system → organismal. Option A
incorrectly places cellular before chemical; options C and D disrupt the required cellular–tissue sequence per ATI
TEAS A&P; standards.
Q2: A patient presents with a laceration on the anterior surface of the thigh, proximal to the knee joint.
In anatomical position, which description is correct?
A. Posterior thigh, distal to the hip
B. Front of the thigh, closer to the hip than to the knee *[CORRECT]*
C. Back of the thigh, closer to the knee than to the hip
D. Front of the thigh, closer to the knee than to the hip
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In anatomical position, anterior = front, and proximal = closer to the trunk (hip) than to the distal landmark
(knee). Option D incorrectly interprets proximal as closer to the knee; options A and C misuse anterior/posterior. ATI
TEAS A&P; requires applying directional terminology to clinical scenarios.
Nursing Program Admission Standards Page 1
, ATI TEAS 6 - General Anatomy and Physiology 2026/2027 Edition
Q3: A surgeon planning a midline procedure that divides the body into equal right and left halves is
operating along which plane?
A. Frontal (coronal) plane
B. Transverse (horizontal) plane
C. Sagittal plane, specifically midsagittal *[CORRECT]*
D. Oblique plane
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into equal right and left halves along the midline. The
frontal plane divides anterior/posterior; the transverse plane divides superior/inferior; the oblique plane is any
non-standard cut. ATI TEAS standards require distinguishing sagittal from frontal and transverse planes.
Q4: Which body cavity houses the heart and lungs and is subdivided by the mediastinum?
A. Cranial cavity
B. Vertebral cavity
C. Thoracic cavity *[CORRECT]*
D. Abdominal cavity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the heart (pericardial cavity) and lungs (pleural cavities), separated by the
mediastinum. The cranial cavity houses the brain; the vertebral canal contains the spinal cord; the abdominal cavity
houses digestive organs. ATI TEAS standards emphasize dorsal versus ventral cavity subdivisions.
Q5: A phlebotomist must access the median cubital vein for blood collection. Which anatomical region
must be identified?
A. Popliteal region
B. Antecubital (brachial) region — anterior elbow *[CORRECT]*
C. Femoral region
D. Cervical region
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The antecubital (brachial) region is the anterior surface of the elbow where the median cubital vein is
accessible for venipuncture. The popliteal region is behind the knee; the femoral region is the thigh; the cervical region
is the neck. ATI TEAS A&P; requires correct regional terminology for clinical procedures.
Section 2: Integumentary System
Nursing Program Admission Standards Page 2
ATI TEAS 6 — GENERAL ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY
Comprehensive Examination • 2026/2027 Edition • Nursing Program Admission Standards
Total 30% Recall / 50% Application / 20%
40 Multiple-Choice Cognitive Mix
Questions Analysis
Time Limit 60 Minutes Format Single Best Answer (A–D)
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. Markings next to the correct choice are provided for
self-evaluation. Each rationale explains why the correct answer is right and why distractors are wrong, aligned with
the ATI TEAS Version 6 Science Content Outline and standard nursing A&P; curricula.
Section 1: Anatomical Terminology & Body Organization
Q1: Which of the following represents the correct hierarchical sequence of structural organization in the
human body, from simplest to most complex?
A. Cellular → Chemical → Tissue → Organ → System → Organismal
B. Chemical → Cellular → Tissue → Organ → System → Organismal *[CORRECT]*
C. Chemical → Tissue → Cellular → Organ → System → Organismal
D. Cellular → Tissue → Chemical → Organ → System → Organismal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The human body is organized hierarchically from chemical (atoms and molecules) → cellular (basic unit of
life) → tissue (groups of similar cells) → organ (two or more tissues) → organ system → organismal. Option A
incorrectly places cellular before chemical; options C and D disrupt the required cellular–tissue sequence per ATI
TEAS A&P; standards.
Q2: A patient presents with a laceration on the anterior surface of the thigh, proximal to the knee joint.
In anatomical position, which description is correct?
A. Posterior thigh, distal to the hip
B. Front of the thigh, closer to the hip than to the knee *[CORRECT]*
C. Back of the thigh, closer to the knee than to the hip
D. Front of the thigh, closer to the knee than to the hip
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In anatomical position, anterior = front, and proximal = closer to the trunk (hip) than to the distal landmark
(knee). Option D incorrectly interprets proximal as closer to the knee; options A and C misuse anterior/posterior. ATI
TEAS A&P; requires applying directional terminology to clinical scenarios.
Nursing Program Admission Standards Page 1
, ATI TEAS 6 - General Anatomy and Physiology 2026/2027 Edition
Q3: A surgeon planning a midline procedure that divides the body into equal right and left halves is
operating along which plane?
A. Frontal (coronal) plane
B. Transverse (horizontal) plane
C. Sagittal plane, specifically midsagittal *[CORRECT]*
D. Oblique plane
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into equal right and left halves along the midline. The
frontal plane divides anterior/posterior; the transverse plane divides superior/inferior; the oblique plane is any
non-standard cut. ATI TEAS standards require distinguishing sagittal from frontal and transverse planes.
Q4: Which body cavity houses the heart and lungs and is subdivided by the mediastinum?
A. Cranial cavity
B. Vertebral cavity
C. Thoracic cavity *[CORRECT]*
D. Abdominal cavity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the heart (pericardial cavity) and lungs (pleural cavities), separated by the
mediastinum. The cranial cavity houses the brain; the vertebral canal contains the spinal cord; the abdominal cavity
houses digestive organs. ATI TEAS standards emphasize dorsal versus ventral cavity subdivisions.
Q5: A phlebotomist must access the median cubital vein for blood collection. Which anatomical region
must be identified?
A. Popliteal region
B. Antecubital (brachial) region — anterior elbow *[CORRECT]*
C. Femoral region
D. Cervical region
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The antecubital (brachial) region is the anterior surface of the elbow where the median cubital vein is
accessible for venipuncture. The popliteal region is behind the knee; the femoral region is the thigh; the cervical region
is the neck. ATI TEAS A&P; requires correct regional terminology for clinical procedures.
Section 2: Integumentary System
Nursing Program Admission Standards Page 2
