Physiology, 12th Edition (Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott) – Verified
NCLEX/HESI-Style Questions with Rationales
Chapter 1: The Human Body: An
Orientation.
1. Chapter 1 — Section 1.1 — Key concept: Complementarity
of structure & function
Stem: A nurse palpates a patient's radial pulse. Which principle
explains why pulse assessment reflects heart contraction?
A. Pathology precedes physiology
B. Structure determines function
C. Function overrides anatomy
D. Physiology ignores form
Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: The radial artery’s location and wall
structure allow pulse transmission from the heart; anatomy
enables the physiological assessment. (Marieb 12e, Ch.1, §1.1)
Rationale — A: Incorrect — pathology does not describe normal
structure–function relationships.
Rationale — C: Incorrect — function depends on structure; one
does not “override.”
Rationale — D: Incorrect — physiology explicitly depends on
anatomy.
Teaching point: Anatomy and physiology are inseparable; form
enables function.
,2. Chapter 1 — Section 1.1 — Key concept: Topics of anatomy
Stem: Which method best demonstrates the three-dimensional
relationship of heart chambers in a living patient?
A. Dissection of a cadaver
B. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
C. Light microscopy of cardiac tissue
D. Cytogenetic karyotyping
Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: MRI provides noninvasive 3D imaging of
living anatomy, useful clinically for spatial relationships. (Marieb
12e, Ch.1, §1.1)
Rationale — A: Incorrect — dissection is detailed but not in
living patients.
Rationale — C: Incorrect — microscopy shows cellular detail,
not 3D organ relationships.
Rationale — D: Incorrect — karyotyping examines
chromosomes, unrelated to gross anatomy.
Teaching point: Choose imaging methods that match the
anatomical resolution and clinical question.
3. Chapter 1 — Section 1.1 — Key concept: Studying anatomy
Stem: A nursing student uses auscultation to identify lung
sounds. This clinical technique primarily applies which
anatomical study approach?
A. Gross anatomy
, B. Developmental anatomy
C. Surface anatomy
D. Cytology
Answer: C
Rationale — Correct: Surface anatomy links external landmarks
to internal structures, guiding auscultation placement. (Marieb
12e, Ch.1, §1.1)
Rationale — A: Incorrect — gross anatomy is internal structures
but not specifically surface landmarks.
Rationale — B: Incorrect — developmental anatomy covers
growth and embryology.
Rationale — D: Incorrect — cytology studies cells, not surface
landmarks.
Teaching point: Surface anatomy connects external landmarks
to underlying structures for bedside assessment.
4. Chapter 1 — Section 1.1 — Key concept: Topics of
physiology
Stem: Monitoring arterial blood gases (ABGs) evaluates which
physiological level of organization?
A. Tissue physiology
B. Organ system physiology
C. Cellular physiology
D. Molecular genetics
Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: ABGs reflect respiratory and