ATI Fundamentals Proctored Nursing Exam 2026: Structured Study Guide, Mock Exams, and Knowledge Checks

Which statement best describes the anatomical position? a. Standing with arms raised overhead b. Standing erect with palms facing backward c. Standing erect with arms at the sides and palms facing forward d. Lying supine with arms crossed Rationale: The anatomical position is the standardized reference position with palms facing forward; other positions do not meet this definition. Which type of bond is formed when one atom or element is joined to another? a. Ionic solution b. Dispersion force c. Chemical bond d. Hydrogen gradient Rationale: A chemical bond joins atoms together; the other options describe forces or unrelated terms. What is a variable in an experiment? a. A constant factor b. A fixed outcome c. A factor that can change d. The final conclusion Rationale: Variables are elements that can change and influence experimental results. What is the primary function of sensory neurons? a. Carry signals from CNS to muscles b. Regulate autonomic responses c. Carry information from receptors to the CNS d. Control voluntary movement Rationale: Sensory neurons transmit impulses toward the central nervous system. The action of chewing food is controlled by which division of the nervous system? a. Autonomic b. Sympathetic c. Parasympathetic d. Somatic Rationale: Chewing is a voluntary action controlled by the somatic nervous system. Digestion of food is controlled primarily by which division of the nervous system? a. Somatic b. Autonomic c. Central d. Peripheral Rationale: Digestion is an involuntary process regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Motor neurons perform which function? a. Carry impulses to the brain b. Receive sensory input c. Carry outgoing information from the CNS to muscles and glands d. Regulate hormone release Rationale: Motor neurons transmit signals from the CNS to effectors. Which best describes the peripheral nervous system? a. Brain and spinal cord b. Sensory and motor neurons connecting the CNS to the body c. Endocrine glands d. Autonomic nerves only Rationale: The PNS links the CNS to limbs and organs through sensory and motor pathways. Which anatomical plane divides the body into left and right portions? a. Transverse b. Frontal c. Sagittal d. Oblique Rationale: The sagittal plane separates the body into left and right sections. Which plane divides the body horizontally into upper and lower portions? a. Sagittal b. Frontal c. Transverse d. Medial Rationale: The transverse plane creates superior and inferior sections. Which sequence lists body structures from simplest to most complex? a. Tissue, cell, organ, organelle b. Mitochondria, muscle cell, connective tissue, heart c. Organ, tissue, cell, organelle d. Cell, organelle, tissue, organ Rationale: Organelles form cells, cells form tissues, tissues form organs. How many periods are found on the periodic table? a. 5 b. 6 c. 7 d. 8 Rationale: The periodic table contains seven horizontal periods. The right side of the heart pumps which type of blood and where? a. Oxygenated blood to the body b. Deoxygenated blood to the lungs c. Oxygenated blood to the lungs d. Deoxygenated blood to the body Rationale: The right heart sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The left side of the heart pumps which type of blood? a. Deoxygenated blood to lungs b. Oxygenated blood to the body c. Mixed blood to tissues d. Deoxygenated blood to veins Rationale: The left heart distributes oxygenated blood systemically. Which is the strongest intermolecular force? a. Dispersion b. Dipole-dipole c. Hydrogen bonding d. Ionic attraction Rationale: Hydrogen bonds are stronger than other intermolecular forces. Which force is the weakest intermolecular force? a. Hydrogen bonding b. Dipole-dipole c. Dispersion d. Ionic Rationale: Dispersion forces are the weakest attractions between molecules. Which substance is NOT found in blood? a. Plasma b. Red blood cells c. White blood cells d. Lymph Rationale: Lymph circulates in the lymphatic system, not in blood vessels. What is the outer layer of a plant cell? a. Plasma membrane b. Nucleus c. Cell wall d. Cytoplasm Rationale: Plant cells have a rigid cell wall outside the membrane. Which structure consists of tiny finger-like projections that increase surface area? a. Cilia b. Flagella c. Microvilli d. Alveoli Rationale: Microvilli enhance absorption by increasing surface area. Where does most nutrient absorption occur? a. Stomach b. Large intestine c. Small intestine d. Esophagus Rationale: The small intestine is specialized for digestion and absorption. Which organelle is responsible for lipid and hormone synthesis? a. Rough ER b. Golgi apparatus c. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum d. Lysosome Rationale: The smooth ER synthesizes lipids and steroid hormones. Cells are best defined as: a. Groups of tissues b. Organ systems c. The basic unit of life d. Subcellular particles Rationale: Cells are the smallest living units. What is an organelle? a. A group of organs b. A structure within a cell that performs a specific function c. A tissue layer d. A body system Rationale: Organelles carry out specialized cellular tasks. Which best defines an organ? a. A group of cells b. A tissue layer c. A self-contained structure performing a specific function d. A system of organs Rationale: Organs are composed of tissues working together. Which term describes a group of similar cells performing the same function? a. Organ b. Tissue c. System d. Organelle Rationale: Tissues consist of similar cells with shared function. Which plane divides the body into front and back portions? a. Sagittal b. Transverse c. Frontal d. Medial Rationale: The frontal (coronal) plane separates anterior and posterior sections. What term means closer to the point of attachment? a. Distal b. Lateral c. Proximal d. Medial Rationale: Proximal describes nearness to the origin of a structure. Which structure allows gas exchange in the lungs? a. Bronchi b. Bronchioles c. Alveoli d. Pleura Rationale: Alveoli are the air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occurs. What condition is characterized by episodes of breathing difficulty due to narrowed airways? a. Pneumonia b. Asthma c. Cystic fibrosis d. Bronchitis Rationale: Asthma causes reversible airway obstruction. Which vessels carry blood away from the heart? a. Veins b. Capillaries c. Arteries d. Venules Rationale: Arteries transport blood from the heart to tissues. What is peristalsis? a. Enzyme secretion b. Absorption of nutrients c. Muscular contractions that move food through the digestive tract d. Bile production Rationale: Peristalsis propels food along the GI tract. Which organ stores bile until it is needed? a. Liver b. Pancreas c. Gallbladder d. Small intestine Rationale: The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver. Which organ produces insulin and digestive enzymes? a. Liver b. Gallbladder c. Pancreas d. Stomach Rationale: The pancreas has both endocrine and exocrine functions. What is a bolus? a. Liquid food mixture b. A mass of chewed and swallowed food c. Fecal matter d. Digestive enzyme Rationale: A bolus forms in the mouth before swallowing. Where does reabsorption of water and feces formation occur? a. Small intestine b. Stomach c. Large intestine d. Rectum Rationale: The large intestine absorbs water and forms stool. Which structure is the final section of the large intestine? a. Colon b. Cecum c. Rectum d. Duodenum Rationale: The rectum stores feces before elimination.