STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF THE BODY
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Levels of organization &
clinical assessment
Question stem
A 58-year-old patient arrives after a fall with localized swelling
and redness over the distal forearm. The nurse documents
findings at the proper level of organization to communicate the
affected structures clearly. Which description best reflects the
correct level of organization to use when reporting these
findings?
,Options
A. “Cellular changes in the forearm indicate local injury to
tissues.”
B. “There is localized inflammation of tissues in the distal
forearm region.”
C. “The patient has a systemic disorder affecting multiple organ
systems.”
D. “This represents a disturbance of biochemical processes
within organelles.”
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct Option: Describing “inflammation of tissues” pinpoints
the tissue level of organization (cells → tissues → organs),
which is appropriate for localized swelling and redness and
supports targeted nursing interventions such as local wound
care and monitoring.
Incorrect A: “Cellular changes” is too granular for bedside
documentation of visible swelling and redness and may mislead
treatment focus.
Incorrect C: “Systemic disorder” overstates the distribution; the
scenario describes localized signs, not multi-organ involvement.
Incorrect D: “Biochemical processes within organelles” is
microscopic and not the appropriate communicative level for
visible, regional findings.
,Teaching point
Use the tissue level when documenting visible, localized
inflammatory findings.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Language of science & medicine — Anatomical
directions applied to nursing documentation
Question stem
During hand-off, a nurse states a dressing change is needed on
the patient’s “proximal” leg wound. The receiving nurse
prepares supplies assuming the wound is near the hip. Which
anatomical interpretation error is likely and what should the
receiving nurse do to clarify before proceeding?
Options
A. Error: Confusing proximal/distal; Clarify the wound’s location
relative to the knee or hip.
B. Error: Confusing anterior/posterior; Clarify whether the
wound is on the front or back of the leg.
C. Error: Confusing superior/inferior; Clarify whether the wound
is above or below the umbilicus.
, D. Error: Confusing medial/lateral; Clarify whether the wound is
closer to the midline.
Correct answer
A
Rationales
Correct Option: Proximal/distal describe distance along a limb;
clarifying whether the wound is closer to the hip (proximal) or
ankle (distal) prevents dressing errors and ensures correct site
care.
Incorrect B: Anterior/posterior concerns front/back orientation,
not distance along a limb.
Incorrect C: Superior/inferior refer to top/bottom of the body
and the umbilicus is irrelevant to limb location.
Incorrect D: Medial/lateral describe relation to midline, not limb
segment proximity.
Teaching point
Proximal/distal indicate distance along a limb—confirm relative
landmarks before procedures.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Levels of organization &
clinical assessment
Question stem
A 58-year-old patient arrives after a fall with localized swelling
and redness over the distal forearm. The nurse documents
findings at the proper level of organization to communicate the
affected structures clearly. Which description best reflects the
correct level of organization to use when reporting these
findings?
,Options
A. “Cellular changes in the forearm indicate local injury to
tissues.”
B. “There is localized inflammation of tissues in the distal
forearm region.”
C. “The patient has a systemic disorder affecting multiple organ
systems.”
D. “This represents a disturbance of biochemical processes
within organelles.”
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct Option: Describing “inflammation of tissues” pinpoints
the tissue level of organization (cells → tissues → organs),
which is appropriate for localized swelling and redness and
supports targeted nursing interventions such as local wound
care and monitoring.
Incorrect A: “Cellular changes” is too granular for bedside
documentation of visible swelling and redness and may mislead
treatment focus.
Incorrect C: “Systemic disorder” overstates the distribution; the
scenario describes localized signs, not multi-organ involvement.
Incorrect D: “Biochemical processes within organelles” is
microscopic and not the appropriate communicative level for
visible, regional findings.
,Teaching point
Use the tissue level when documenting visible, localized
inflammatory findings.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Language of science & medicine — Anatomical
directions applied to nursing documentation
Question stem
During hand-off, a nurse states a dressing change is needed on
the patient’s “proximal” leg wound. The receiving nurse
prepares supplies assuming the wound is near the hip. Which
anatomical interpretation error is likely and what should the
receiving nurse do to clarify before proceeding?
Options
A. Error: Confusing proximal/distal; Clarify the wound’s location
relative to the knee or hip.
B. Error: Confusing anterior/posterior; Clarify whether the
wound is on the front or back of the leg.
C. Error: Confusing superior/inferior; Clarify whether the wound
is above or below the umbilicus.
, D. Error: Confusing medial/lateral; Clarify whether the wound is
closer to the midline.
Correct answer
A
Rationales
Correct Option: Proximal/distal describe distance along a limb;
clarifying whether the wound is closer to the hip (proximal) or
ankle (distal) prevents dressing errors and ensures correct site
care.
Incorrect B: Anterior/posterior concerns front/back orientation,
not distance along a limb.
Incorrect C: Superior/inferior refer to top/bottom of the body
and the umbilicus is irrelevant to limb location.
Incorrect D: Medial/lateral describe relation to midline, not limb
segment proximity.
Teaching point
Proximal/distal indicate distance along a limb—confirm relative
landmarks before procedures.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
