MIDTERM EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
,ATI TEAS 7 Midterm Exam Prep 2026–2027 | All 4 Content Areas | Comprehensive
Practice Questions and answers with rationales
1. What is the author’s primary purpose in the passage? A) To argue that all
bacteria are harmful and should be eradicated using broad-spectrum antibiotics. B) To
provide a historical timeline of the discovery of the human microbiome. C) To explain
the shift in the medical understanding of the microbiome and its impact on health. D) To
compare the efficacy of probiotics versus antibiotics in treating autoimmune diseases.
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: The passage outlines the historical view of bacteria as pathogens
versus the modern understanding of the microbiome's crucial roles (digestion,
immunity, mental health). Option C perfectly summarizes this paradigm shift.
Option A contradicts the text, Option B is too narrow (only mentioned briefly), and
Option D is an exaggeration of the text's conclusion.
2. Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the use of broad-spectrum
antibiotics? A) They are the most effective treatment for chronic inflammation. B) They
do not differentiate between harmful pathogens and beneficial microorganisms. C) They
are primarily prescribed to treat obesity and autoimmune diseases. D) They are
essential for maintaining microbial homeostasis in the gut.
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: The text states that disruptions caused by broad-spectrum antibiotics
lead to dysbiosis (an imbalance). This implies that these antibiotics wipe out
beneficial bacteria alongside pathogens, causing the imbalance. Options A, C,
and D are directly contradicted by the passage.
3. As used in the passage, what does the word "homeostasis" most likely mean?
A) A state of rapid growth and multiplication. B) A severe allergic reaction to medication.
C) A stable, balanced internal environment. D) The complete eradication of disease.
• Correct Answer: C
, • Rationale: The passage contrasts "dysbiosis" (imbalance) with "homeostasis." In
biological terms, and within the context of maintaining a healthy ecosystem,
homeostasis refers to a state of balance and stability.
SECTION 2: MATHEMATICS
Focus: Numbers and algebra, measurement and data interpretation.
4. A nurse must administer 450 mg of a specific antibiotic to a patient. The
medication is available in a vial with a concentration of 150 mg per 2 mL. How
many milliliters (mL) should the nurse draw up? A) 1.5 mL B) 3.0 mL C) 4.5 mL D)
6.0 mL
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: Set up a ratio/proportion equation:
150 mg2 mL=450 mgx mL2 mL150 mg=x mL450 mg. Cross-multiply to solve for
xx: 150x=900150x=900. Divide by 150: x=6.0 mLx=6.0 mL.
5. A patient weighs 176 pounds. The physician prescribes a medication dosed at
0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. What is the correct dose in milligrams?
(Note: 1 kg = 2.2 lbs) A) 40 mg B) 80 mg C) 88 mg D) 352 mg
• Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: First, convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms:
176 lbs÷2.2 lbs/kg=80 kg176 lbs÷2.2 lbs/kg=80 kg. Next, calculate the dose:
80 kg×0.5 mg/kg=40 mg80 kg×0.5 mg/kg=40 mg.
6. A hospital's emergency room treated 120 patients on Monday. On Tuesday, the
number of patients treated increased to 156. What is the percentage increase in
patient volume from Monday to Tuesday? A) 23% B) 30% C) 36% D) 130%
• Correct Answer: B
, • Rationale: Find the absolute increase: 156−120=36156−120=36. Divide the
increase by the original amount: 36120=0.3012036=0.30. Convert to a
percentage: 0.30×100=30%0.30×100=30%.
SECTION 3: SCIENCE
Focus: Human anatomy & physiology (heavily tested), biology, chemistry, and scientific
reasoning.
7. Which of the following chambers of the heart is responsible for pumping
oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation? A) Right atrium B) Right ventricle
C) Left atrium D) Left ventricle
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: The left ventricle receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium
(which comes from the lungs via the pulmonary veins) and pumps it through the
aorta to the rest of the body (systemic circulation). The right ventricle pumps
deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
8. During which phase of cellular respiration is the majority of ATP generated? A)
Glycolysis B) Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle) C) Electron Transport Chain D)
Fermentation
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: While glycolysis and the Krebs cycle produce a small amount of ATP
and precursor molecules (NADH, FADH2), the Electron Transport Chain (ETC)
utilizes these electron carriers to generate the vast majority of ATP (roughly 32-
34 molecules per glucose molecule) via oxidative phosphorylation.
9. A researcher is conducting an experiment to test how different amounts of
sunlight affect the growth rate of tomato plants. What is the independent variable
in this experiment? A) The type of soil used B) The growth rate of the tomato plants C)
The amount of sunlight provided D) The amount of water given to the plants
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
,ATI TEAS 7 Midterm Exam Prep 2026–2027 | All 4 Content Areas | Comprehensive
Practice Questions and answers with rationales
1. What is the author’s primary purpose in the passage? A) To argue that all
bacteria are harmful and should be eradicated using broad-spectrum antibiotics. B) To
provide a historical timeline of the discovery of the human microbiome. C) To explain
the shift in the medical understanding of the microbiome and its impact on health. D) To
compare the efficacy of probiotics versus antibiotics in treating autoimmune diseases.
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: The passage outlines the historical view of bacteria as pathogens
versus the modern understanding of the microbiome's crucial roles (digestion,
immunity, mental health). Option C perfectly summarizes this paradigm shift.
Option A contradicts the text, Option B is too narrow (only mentioned briefly), and
Option D is an exaggeration of the text's conclusion.
2. Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the use of broad-spectrum
antibiotics? A) They are the most effective treatment for chronic inflammation. B) They
do not differentiate between harmful pathogens and beneficial microorganisms. C) They
are primarily prescribed to treat obesity and autoimmune diseases. D) They are
essential for maintaining microbial homeostasis in the gut.
• Correct Answer: B
• Rationale: The text states that disruptions caused by broad-spectrum antibiotics
lead to dysbiosis (an imbalance). This implies that these antibiotics wipe out
beneficial bacteria alongside pathogens, causing the imbalance. Options A, C,
and D are directly contradicted by the passage.
3. As used in the passage, what does the word "homeostasis" most likely mean?
A) A state of rapid growth and multiplication. B) A severe allergic reaction to medication.
C) A stable, balanced internal environment. D) The complete eradication of disease.
• Correct Answer: C
, • Rationale: The passage contrasts "dysbiosis" (imbalance) with "homeostasis." In
biological terms, and within the context of maintaining a healthy ecosystem,
homeostasis refers to a state of balance and stability.
SECTION 2: MATHEMATICS
Focus: Numbers and algebra, measurement and data interpretation.
4. A nurse must administer 450 mg of a specific antibiotic to a patient. The
medication is available in a vial with a concentration of 150 mg per 2 mL. How
many milliliters (mL) should the nurse draw up? A) 1.5 mL B) 3.0 mL C) 4.5 mL D)
6.0 mL
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: Set up a ratio/proportion equation:
150 mg2 mL=450 mgx mL2 mL150 mg=x mL450 mg. Cross-multiply to solve for
xx: 150x=900150x=900. Divide by 150: x=6.0 mLx=6.0 mL.
5. A patient weighs 176 pounds. The physician prescribes a medication dosed at
0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. What is the correct dose in milligrams?
(Note: 1 kg = 2.2 lbs) A) 40 mg B) 80 mg C) 88 mg D) 352 mg
• Correct Answer: A
• Rationale: First, convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms:
176 lbs÷2.2 lbs/kg=80 kg176 lbs÷2.2 lbs/kg=80 kg. Next, calculate the dose:
80 kg×0.5 mg/kg=40 mg80 kg×0.5 mg/kg=40 mg.
6. A hospital's emergency room treated 120 patients on Monday. On Tuesday, the
number of patients treated increased to 156. What is the percentage increase in
patient volume from Monday to Tuesday? A) 23% B) 30% C) 36% D) 130%
• Correct Answer: B
, • Rationale: Find the absolute increase: 156−120=36156−120=36. Divide the
increase by the original amount: 36120=0.3012036=0.30. Convert to a
percentage: 0.30×100=30%0.30×100=30%.
SECTION 3: SCIENCE
Focus: Human anatomy & physiology (heavily tested), biology, chemistry, and scientific
reasoning.
7. Which of the following chambers of the heart is responsible for pumping
oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation? A) Right atrium B) Right ventricle
C) Left atrium D) Left ventricle
• Correct Answer: D
• Rationale: The left ventricle receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium
(which comes from the lungs via the pulmonary veins) and pumps it through the
aorta to the rest of the body (systemic circulation). The right ventricle pumps
deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
8. During which phase of cellular respiration is the majority of ATP generated? A)
Glycolysis B) Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle) C) Electron Transport Chain D)
Fermentation
• Correct Answer: C
• Rationale: While glycolysis and the Krebs cycle produce a small amount of ATP
and precursor molecules (NADH, FADH2), the Electron Transport Chain (ETC)
utilizes these electron carriers to generate the vast majority of ATP (roughly 32-
34 molecules per glucose molecule) via oxidative phosphorylation.
9. A researcher is conducting an experiment to test how different amounts of
sunlight affect the growth rate of tomato plants. What is the independent variable
in this experiment? A) The type of soil used B) The growth rate of the tomato plants C)
The amount of sunlight provided D) The amount of water given to the plants
