STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF THE BODY
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANKS
1️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Anatomical position &
directions
Question stem
A nurse documents a wound on a patient’s left lower limb as
being “lateral to the tibia, distal to the knee.” The patient is
supine. Which surface or region should the nurse examine first
to verify the note? Explain how anatomical position affects this
assessment.
Options
A. The lateral aspect of the right lower leg, near the ankle.
B. The lateral aspect of the left lower leg, near the ankle.
,C. The medial aspect of the left lower leg, just below the knee.
D. The anterior surface of the left thigh, proximal to the knee.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): In anatomical position, “lateral to the tibia” means
toward the fibular (outer) side; “distal to the knee” indicates
further from the trunk—near the ankle. Because
documentation referenced the left limb, the nurse should
inspect the lateral left lower leg near the ankle. This uses
anatomical position as the standard reference for directions.
Nursing implication: verifying accurate documentation prevents
wrong-site care.
Incorrect (A): Wrong side — documentation specifies left; A
describes the right limb.
Incorrect (C): “Medial” is toward the tibia (inner side), but the
documented site was lateral; also it’s just below the knee (less
distal than described).
Incorrect (D): “Anterior” and “proximal” contradict both lateral
and distal in the note.
Teaching point
Anatomical position standardizes directional terms; left/right
and proximal/distal remain relative to the trunk.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Planes of the body
Question stem
A CT technician must request cross-sectional images to evaluate
a suspected herniated intervertebral disc that compresses the
spinal cord from a posterolateral direction. Which imaging
plane will best demonstrate the relationship between the disc,
spinal cord, and exiting nerve roots?
Options
A. Sagittal plane (median or parasagittal).
B. Frontal (coronal) plane.
C. Transverse (horizontal) plane.
D. Oblique plane oriented 45° to the sagittal plane.
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): The transverse plane produces cross-sections that
reveal the spinal canal, the disc material relative to the cord,
and exiting nerve roots in a single slice—critical for
posterolateral compressions. This plane allows assessment of
circumferential relationships. Nursing implication: accurately
interpreting transverse images guides neurological monitoring.
Incorrect (A): Sagittal images show anterior–posterior
, relationships but may miss lateral displacement of nerve roots
on a single image.
Incorrect (B): Coronal images show vertical and lateral
relationships but are less useful than transverse for cross-
sectional compression around the cord.
Incorrect (D): An oblique plane may add detail but is not
routinely used and would complicate standard interpretation.
Teaching point
Transverse images best show circumferential relationships in
spinal cord compression.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Body cavities & serous
membranes
Question stem
A postoperative patient develops shortness of breath and
dullness to percussion over the right lower chest. The nurse
suspects pleural effusion. Which description best links the
serous membrane anatomy to this clinical finding?
Options
A. Fluid collects between the visceral and parietal pleura in the
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANKS
1️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Anatomical position &
directions
Question stem
A nurse documents a wound on a patient’s left lower limb as
being “lateral to the tibia, distal to the knee.” The patient is
supine. Which surface or region should the nurse examine first
to verify the note? Explain how anatomical position affects this
assessment.
Options
A. The lateral aspect of the right lower leg, near the ankle.
B. The lateral aspect of the left lower leg, near the ankle.
,C. The medial aspect of the left lower leg, just below the knee.
D. The anterior surface of the left thigh, proximal to the knee.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): In anatomical position, “lateral to the tibia” means
toward the fibular (outer) side; “distal to the knee” indicates
further from the trunk—near the ankle. Because
documentation referenced the left limb, the nurse should
inspect the lateral left lower leg near the ankle. This uses
anatomical position as the standard reference for directions.
Nursing implication: verifying accurate documentation prevents
wrong-site care.
Incorrect (A): Wrong side — documentation specifies left; A
describes the right limb.
Incorrect (C): “Medial” is toward the tibia (inner side), but the
documented site was lateral; also it’s just below the knee (less
distal than described).
Incorrect (D): “Anterior” and “proximal” contradict both lateral
and distal in the note.
Teaching point
Anatomical position standardizes directional terms; left/right
and proximal/distal remain relative to the trunk.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Planes of the body
Question stem
A CT technician must request cross-sectional images to evaluate
a suspected herniated intervertebral disc that compresses the
spinal cord from a posterolateral direction. Which imaging
plane will best demonstrate the relationship between the disc,
spinal cord, and exiting nerve roots?
Options
A. Sagittal plane (median or parasagittal).
B. Frontal (coronal) plane.
C. Transverse (horizontal) plane.
D. Oblique plane oriented 45° to the sagittal plane.
Correct answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): The transverse plane produces cross-sections that
reveal the spinal canal, the disc material relative to the cord,
and exiting nerve roots in a single slice—critical for
posterolateral compressions. This plane allows assessment of
circumferential relationships. Nursing implication: accurately
interpreting transverse images guides neurological monitoring.
Incorrect (A): Sagittal images show anterior–posterior
, relationships but may miss lateral displacement of nerve roots
on a single image.
Incorrect (B): Coronal images show vertical and lateral
relationships but are less useful than transverse for cross-
sectional compression around the cord.
Incorrect (D): An oblique plane may add detail but is not
routinely used and would complicate standard interpretation.
Teaching point
Transverse images best show circumferential relationships in
spinal cord compression.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Body cavities & serous
membranes
Question stem
A postoperative patient develops shortness of breath and
dullness to percussion over the right lower chest. The nurse
suspects pleural effusion. Which description best links the
serous membrane anatomy to this clinical finding?
Options
A. Fluid collects between the visceral and parietal pleura in the
