Structure & Function of the Body
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Anatomical Position & Anatomical
Directions
Question Stem: A hospitalized patient has a pressure ulcer
documented on the posterior aspect of the left lower leg. When
charting using anatomical directional terms, which site should
the nurse write?
Options:
A. Left anterior leg
B. Left posterior calf
C. Left medial shin
,D. Left distal thigh
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): "Posterior" refers to the back surface; the calf
is the posterior portion of the lower leg—this precisely
describes a pressure ulcer behind the lower leg.
• A: Anterior is the front surface; this would mislocate the
ulcer and risk incorrect pressure-area care.
• C: Medial shin refers to the front, inner lower leg; it does
not match "posterior."
• D: Thigh is proximal to the knee and not the lower leg;
"distal thigh" would misidentify both region and level.
Teaching Point: Posterior = back surface; calf = posterior
lower leg.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Anatomical
Position & Directions
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Planes of the Body
Question Stem: A patient requires an abdominal ultrasound
focusing on the liver in the transverse plane. The sonographer
places the probe oriented horizontally across the abdomen.
Which imaging plane is being used and what does it divide?
Options:
A. Sagittal plane — divides anterior and posterior
,B. Transverse (axial) plane — divides superior and inferior
C. Coronal (frontal) plane — divides left and right
D. Oblique plane — divides superficial and deep
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): The transverse (axial) plane runs horizontally
and separates the body into superior (upper) and inferior
(lower) parts — appropriate for cross-sectional liver
imaging.
• A: Sagittal divides left and right, not anterior/posterior;
orientation described is horizontal, not sagittal.
• C: Coronal divides anterior and posterior (front/back), not
left and right.
• D: Oblique is diagonal and does not classically divide
superficial/deep; answer is imprecise for ultrasound
orientation.
Teaching Point: Transverse/axial = horizontal slices;
separates head/feet (superior/inferior).
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Planes of the
Body
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Body Cavities & Organ Relationships
Question Stem: A postoperative patient develops sudden chest
pain and shortness of breath. Which cavity should the nurse
, suspect is affected if the clinician documents a pleural effusion,
and which organ lies within that cavity?
Options:
A. Peritoneal cavity — stomach
B. Pleural cavity — lungs
C. Pericardial cavity — liver
D. Cranial cavity — heart
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): The pleural cavity surrounds each lung; pleural
effusion is accumulation of fluid in that space causing
respiratory symptoms.
• A: Peritoneal cavity houses abdominal organs like the
stomach, not responsible for acute chest effusion.
• C: Pericardial cavity contains the heart; the liver is in the
peritoneal/abdominal cavity.
• D: Cranial cavity contains the brain; the heart is in the
thoracic cavity (pericardial).
Teaching Point: Pleural cavity = space around lungs;
effusions impair lung expansion.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Body Cavities
4
Reference: Ch. 1 — Levels of Organization (Cell → Organism)
Question Stem: An RN teaches a patient why an infection can
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Anatomical Position & Anatomical
Directions
Question Stem: A hospitalized patient has a pressure ulcer
documented on the posterior aspect of the left lower leg. When
charting using anatomical directional terms, which site should
the nurse write?
Options:
A. Left anterior leg
B. Left posterior calf
C. Left medial shin
,D. Left distal thigh
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): "Posterior" refers to the back surface; the calf
is the posterior portion of the lower leg—this precisely
describes a pressure ulcer behind the lower leg.
• A: Anterior is the front surface; this would mislocate the
ulcer and risk incorrect pressure-area care.
• C: Medial shin refers to the front, inner lower leg; it does
not match "posterior."
• D: Thigh is proximal to the knee and not the lower leg;
"distal thigh" would misidentify both region and level.
Teaching Point: Posterior = back surface; calf = posterior
lower leg.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Anatomical
Position & Directions
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Planes of the Body
Question Stem: A patient requires an abdominal ultrasound
focusing on the liver in the transverse plane. The sonographer
places the probe oriented horizontally across the abdomen.
Which imaging plane is being used and what does it divide?
Options:
A. Sagittal plane — divides anterior and posterior
,B. Transverse (axial) plane — divides superior and inferior
C. Coronal (frontal) plane — divides left and right
D. Oblique plane — divides superficial and deep
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): The transverse (axial) plane runs horizontally
and separates the body into superior (upper) and inferior
(lower) parts — appropriate for cross-sectional liver
imaging.
• A: Sagittal divides left and right, not anterior/posterior;
orientation described is horizontal, not sagittal.
• C: Coronal divides anterior and posterior (front/back), not
left and right.
• D: Oblique is diagonal and does not classically divide
superficial/deep; answer is imprecise for ultrasound
orientation.
Teaching Point: Transverse/axial = horizontal slices;
separates head/feet (superior/inferior).
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Planes of the
Body
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Body Cavities & Organ Relationships
Question Stem: A postoperative patient develops sudden chest
pain and shortness of breath. Which cavity should the nurse
, suspect is affected if the clinician documents a pleural effusion,
and which organ lies within that cavity?
Options:
A. Peritoneal cavity — stomach
B. Pleural cavity — lungs
C. Pericardial cavity — liver
D. Cranial cavity — heart
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• B (Correct): The pleural cavity surrounds each lung; pleural
effusion is accumulation of fluid in that space causing
respiratory symptoms.
• A: Peritoneal cavity houses abdominal organs like the
stomach, not responsible for acute chest effusion.
• C: Pericardial cavity contains the heart; the liver is in the
peritoneal/abdominal cavity.
• D: Cranial cavity contains the brain; the heart is in the
thoracic cavity (pericardial).
Teaching Point: Pleural cavity = space around lungs;
effusions impair lung expansion.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Body Cavities
4
Reference: Ch. 1 — Levels of Organization (Cell → Organism)
Question Stem: An RN teaches a patient why an infection can
