WEIVER • 2 MAXE
★ ★
Nursing Fundamentals Assessment
N Exam 2 Review — ATI Based Study Guide
E XC E L L E N C E I N N U RS I N G E D U C AT I O N
EST. 2026
Fundamentals Exam 2 Review — ATI Based
G R I E F, M O B I L I T Y, A S S E S S M E N T, S E L F - CO N C E P T & CO M M U N I C AT I O N
INSTITUTION Nursing Fundamentals Assessment COURSE CODE Fundamentals Exam 2 Review — ATI
PROGRAM Practical Nursing (PN) / Associate Degree ACADEMIC YEAR
in Nursing (ADN)
EXAM TITLE Fundamentals Exam 2 Review — ATI TOTAL QUESTIONS 30 Questions
Based
COURSE TITLE Fundamentals of Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Select all that apply questions are indicated — choose every correct option.
▸ Questions cover grief, mobility, assessment, self-concept, and communication.
▸ Correct answers and clinical rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content is based on ATI nursing fundamentals and evidence-based practice.
SECTION I — ATI FUNDAMENTALS EXAM 2 REVIEW Questions 1 – 30
1. Delirium is often the first sign of which condition in older adults?
A. Dementia.
B. Infection.
C. Stroke.
D. Depression.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Infection.
RATIONALE Delirium — an acute, fluctuating change in mental status characterized by confusion, disorientation, and
altered level of consciousness — is frequently the first and sometimes only sign of infection in older adults,
particularly urinary tract infections and pneumonia. Older adults may not mount a robust fever response,
making the cognitive change the most prominent clinical finding. Delirium is a medical emergency requiring
prompt identification and treatment of the underlying cause. It is distinct from dementia (chronic,
progressive) and depression (mood disorder), though it can be superimposed on either.
, 2. What is the correct order for heart auscultation?
A. Mitral, Tricuspid, Erb's Point, Pulmonic, Aortic.
B. Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's Point, Tricuspid, Mitral.
C. Erb's Point, Aortic, Pulmonic, Tricuspid, Mitral.
D. Pulmonic, Aortic, Tricuspid, Erb's Point, Mitral.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's Point, Tricuspid, Mitral.
RATIONALE The standard order for cardiac auscultation follows the mnemonic "All Patients Take Medicine" (APT M): Aortic
(2nd intercostal space, right sternal border), Pulmonic (2nd ICS, left sternal border), Erb's Point (3rd ICS, left
sternal border), Tricuspid (4th ICS, left sternal border), Mitral (5th ICS, left midclavicular line). This systematic
order ensures all valve areas are assessed. The diaphragm of the stethoscope is used for high-pitched S1 and
S2 sounds; the bell is for low-pitched S3, S4, and murmurs.
3. What is the correct order for abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation.
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion.
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
RATIONALE The abdominal assessment is the EXCEPTION to the standard physical examination sequence (Inspection,
Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation). For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection and precedes
palpation and percussion because palpation and percussion physically stimulate the intestines, which can
alter bowel sounds and produce false findings (hyperactive bowel sounds). Normal bowel sounds occur at 5–
30 sounds per minute. Auscultation must be performed with the diaphragm of the stethoscope before any
physical manipulation of the abdomen.
4. A loss that is felt by the person but intangible to others is called:
A. Actual loss.
B. Perceived loss.
C. Maturational loss.
D. Situational loss.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Perceived loss.
RATIONALE Perceived loss is experienced internally by the individual but is not obvious or verifiable to others — examples
include loss of youth, loss of confidence, or loss of a dream. Actual loss is recognized by others (death of a
loved one, loss of a limb, loss of a job). Maturational loss results from the normal developmental process
(children leaving home, retirement). Situational loss results from an unpredictable event (accident, natural
disaster, sudden illness). Perceived loss is psychologically significant and requires acknowledgment and
support.
★ ★
Nursing Fundamentals Assessment
N Exam 2 Review — ATI Based Study Guide
E XC E L L E N C E I N N U RS I N G E D U C AT I O N
EST. 2026
Fundamentals Exam 2 Review — ATI Based
G R I E F, M O B I L I T Y, A S S E S S M E N T, S E L F - CO N C E P T & CO M M U N I C AT I O N
INSTITUTION Nursing Fundamentals Assessment COURSE CODE Fundamentals Exam 2 Review — ATI
PROGRAM Practical Nursing (PN) / Associate Degree ACADEMIC YEAR
in Nursing (ADN)
EXAM TITLE Fundamentals Exam 2 Review — ATI TOTAL QUESTIONS 30 Questions
Based
COURSE TITLE Fundamentals of Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Select all that apply questions are indicated — choose every correct option.
▸ Questions cover grief, mobility, assessment, self-concept, and communication.
▸ Correct answers and clinical rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content is based on ATI nursing fundamentals and evidence-based practice.
SECTION I — ATI FUNDAMENTALS EXAM 2 REVIEW Questions 1 – 30
1. Delirium is often the first sign of which condition in older adults?
A. Dementia.
B. Infection.
C. Stroke.
D. Depression.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Infection.
RATIONALE Delirium — an acute, fluctuating change in mental status characterized by confusion, disorientation, and
altered level of consciousness — is frequently the first and sometimes only sign of infection in older adults,
particularly urinary tract infections and pneumonia. Older adults may not mount a robust fever response,
making the cognitive change the most prominent clinical finding. Delirium is a medical emergency requiring
prompt identification and treatment of the underlying cause. It is distinct from dementia (chronic,
progressive) and depression (mood disorder), though it can be superimposed on either.
, 2. What is the correct order for heart auscultation?
A. Mitral, Tricuspid, Erb's Point, Pulmonic, Aortic.
B. Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's Point, Tricuspid, Mitral.
C. Erb's Point, Aortic, Pulmonic, Tricuspid, Mitral.
D. Pulmonic, Aortic, Tricuspid, Erb's Point, Mitral.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's Point, Tricuspid, Mitral.
RATIONALE The standard order for cardiac auscultation follows the mnemonic "All Patients Take Medicine" (APT M): Aortic
(2nd intercostal space, right sternal border), Pulmonic (2nd ICS, left sternal border), Erb's Point (3rd ICS, left
sternal border), Tricuspid (4th ICS, left sternal border), Mitral (5th ICS, left midclavicular line). This systematic
order ensures all valve areas are assessed. The diaphragm of the stethoscope is used for high-pitched S1 and
S2 sounds; the bell is for low-pitched S3, S4, and murmurs.
3. What is the correct order for abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation.
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion.
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.
RATIONALE The abdominal assessment is the EXCEPTION to the standard physical examination sequence (Inspection,
Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation). For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection and precedes
palpation and percussion because palpation and percussion physically stimulate the intestines, which can
alter bowel sounds and produce false findings (hyperactive bowel sounds). Normal bowel sounds occur at 5–
30 sounds per minute. Auscultation must be performed with the diaphragm of the stethoscope before any
physical manipulation of the abdomen.
4. A loss that is felt by the person but intangible to others is called:
A. Actual loss.
B. Perceived loss.
C. Maturational loss.
D. Situational loss.
CORRECT ANSWER B — Perceived loss.
RATIONALE Perceived loss is experienced internally by the individual but is not obvious or verifiable to others — examples
include loss of youth, loss of confidence, or loss of a dream. Actual loss is recognized by others (death of a
loved one, loss of a limb, loss of a job). Maturational loss results from the normal developmental process
(children leaving home, retirement). Situational loss results from an unpredictable event (accident, natural
disaster, sudden illness). Perceived loss is psychologically significant and requires acknowledgment and
support.
