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 — Anatomical position &
directions
Question Stem
A new nurse documents that a patient has "a laceration
proximal to the wrist on the anterior surface." The patient is
supine with palms facing medially because of contractures.
Which action best corrects the documentation to match
standard anatomical terminology and avoid miscommunication
with the surgical team?
,A. Change “proximal” to “distal” because the wound is nearer
the wrist.
B. Reword to “laceration on the anterior (palmar) surface of the
forearm, proximal to the wrist,” keeping anatomical position
terms.
C. Note “anterior surface” is incorrect; replace it with “ventral
surface” because the forearm is rotated.
D. Record “laceration on the dorsal surface proximal to wrist”
since palms face medially.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Using standard anatomical position language
(anterior/palmar, proximal/distal) and precise region (forearm)
clarifies the wound location regardless of current patient
posture. This preserves the reference to the anatomical position
used by all clinicians. Nursing implication: accurate,
standardized documentation reduces surgical error.
A: “Distal” would be the opposite of the intended relation;
changes meaning.
C: “Ventral” is a synonym for anterior in many contexts but is
less common in extremity documentation; changing to “ventral”
adds ambiguity.
D: “Dorsal” would be anatomically incorrect for a palmar/
anterior wound; rotation of the limb does not change
anatomical descriptors.
,Teaching Point
Always describe locations using the anatomical position and
specific region names.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Planes of the body
Question Stem
A trauma CT scan is ordered to evaluate suspected intracranial
hemorrhage. The radiologist supplies axial (transverse) and
coronal reconstructions, but the surgical resident requests an
image showing the sagittal plane to plan craniotomy approach.
Why is a true sagittal plane image essential for the surgeon’s
operative planning?
A. It shows left–right symmetry and the anterior–posterior
depth of midline structures.
B. It provides the best view of superior–inferior relationships for
cortical lesions.
C. It isolates cross-sections of the brain perpendicular to the
cranial base.
D. It improves visualization of vascular perfusion compared to
other planes.
, Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): The sagittal plane divides left and right and
demonstrates anterior–posterior relationships of midline
structures (e.g., corpus callosum, brainstem) critical for
planning a midline craniotomy. Surgeons use sagittal views to
judge approach trajectory and depth.
B: Superior–inferior relationships are visible but not uniquely
optimal in sagittal images; coronal and sagittal both show
vertical extent.
C: Cross-sections perpendicular to the cranial base are more
characteristic of axial (transverse) images.
D: Plane choice does not inherently change perfusion
visualization; perfusion imaging uses functional/frequency
techniques.
Teaching Point
Sagittal images best display anterior–posterior relationships and
midline symmetry.
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 — Anatomical position &
directions
Question Stem
A new nurse documents that a patient has "a laceration
proximal to the wrist on the anterior surface." The patient is
supine with palms facing medially because of contractures.
Which action best corrects the documentation to match
standard anatomical terminology and avoid miscommunication
with the surgical team?
,A. Change “proximal” to “distal” because the wound is nearer
the wrist.
B. Reword to “laceration on the anterior (palmar) surface of the
forearm, proximal to the wrist,” keeping anatomical position
terms.
C. Note “anterior surface” is incorrect; replace it with “ventral
surface” because the forearm is rotated.
D. Record “laceration on the dorsal surface proximal to wrist”
since palms face medially.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Using standard anatomical position language
(anterior/palmar, proximal/distal) and precise region (forearm)
clarifies the wound location regardless of current patient
posture. This preserves the reference to the anatomical position
used by all clinicians. Nursing implication: accurate,
standardized documentation reduces surgical error.
A: “Distal” would be the opposite of the intended relation;
changes meaning.
C: “Ventral” is a synonym for anterior in many contexts but is
less common in extremity documentation; changing to “ventral”
adds ambiguity.
D: “Dorsal” would be anatomically incorrect for a palmar/
anterior wound; rotation of the limb does not change
anatomical descriptors.
,Teaching Point
Always describe locations using the anatomical position and
specific region names.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Planes of the body
Question Stem
A trauma CT scan is ordered to evaluate suspected intracranial
hemorrhage. The radiologist supplies axial (transverse) and
coronal reconstructions, but the surgical resident requests an
image showing the sagittal plane to plan craniotomy approach.
Why is a true sagittal plane image essential for the surgeon’s
operative planning?
A. It shows left–right symmetry and the anterior–posterior
depth of midline structures.
B. It provides the best view of superior–inferior relationships for
cortical lesions.
C. It isolates cross-sections of the brain perpendicular to the
cranial base.
D. It improves visualization of vascular perfusion compared to
other planes.
, Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): The sagittal plane divides left and right and
demonstrates anterior–posterior relationships of midline
structures (e.g., corpus callosum, brainstem) critical for
planning a midline craniotomy. Surgeons use sagittal views to
judge approach trajectory and depth.
B: Superior–inferior relationships are visible but not uniquely
optimal in sagittal images; coronal and sagittal both show
vertical extent.
C: Cross-sections perpendicular to the cranial base are more
characteristic of axial (transverse) images.
D: Plane choice does not inherently change perfusion
visualization; perfusion imaging uses functional/frequency
techniques.
Teaching Point
Sagittal images best display anterior–posterior relationships and
midline symmetry.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3)
