STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF THE BODY
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Anatomical Position &
Directions
Question Stem
A 68-year-old patient is instructed to stand in the anatomical
position for range-of-motion documentation. The nurse
documents movement of the patient's forearm away from the
midline as “abduction at the shoulder.” Based on anatomical
directions and planes, which movement/description is most
,accurate for the forearm moving away from the midline when
the elbow is flexed 90° and the palm faces anteriorly?
A. Forearm abduction in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis.
B. Forearm lateral rotation in the transverse plane about a
longitudinal axis.
C. Forearm external rotation in the sagittal plane about a frontal
axis.
D. Forearm adduction in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis.
Correct Answer
A
Rationale — Correct (A)
Abduction is movement away from the midline and occurs in
the frontal (coronal) plane about an anterior-posterior (sagittal)
axis. When the elbow is flexed and the palm faces anteriorly,
moving the forearm laterally is appropriately described as
abduction in the frontal plane. Nurses must document plane
and axis to clearly communicate ROM changes.
Rationale — Incorrect
B. Lateral rotation (external rotation) is around a longitudinal
axis in the transverse plane, not the frontal plane; this describes
rotation, not abduction.
C. External rotation is in the transverse plane, not sagittal; the
sagittal plane describes flexion/extension.
D. Adduction is movement toward the midline — the stem
describes movement away from the midline, so adduction is
incorrect.
,Teaching Point
Abduction/adduction occur in the frontal plane; specify plane
and axis when documenting ROM.
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 &
Clinical Imaging
Question Stem
A patient has a CT scan ordered to evaluate a suspected
intracerebral bleed. The radiology report describes hemorrhage
visible on axial images. Which description best explains the
orientation of axial (transverse) images and why this matters to
nursing positioning and bedside reporting?
A. Axial images are slices perpendicular to the long axis of the
body; they separate superior from inferior structures, guiding
head/foot orientation.
B. Axial images are slices parallel to the sagittal plane; they
separate left from right, guiding lateral nursing assessments.
C. Axial images are slices along the frontal plane; they separate
anterior from posterior and inform prone vs supine care.
, D. Axial images are oblique slices that best show joint motion
and are used primarily by physical therapists.
Correct Answer
A
Rationale — Correct (A)
Axial (transverse) images are perpendicular to the long axis and
divide the body into superior and inferior portions. Knowing
orientation helps nurses interpret radiology language (e.g.,
“upper axial slices show hemorrhage”) and coordinate
positioning, transfers, and head elevation for intracranial
pressure management.
Rationale — Incorrect
B. Sagittal plane slices separate left and right; axial is not
sagittal.
C. Frontal (coronal) plane separates anterior/posterior; axial is
different.
D. Axial images are standard radiologic planes, not typically
described as oblique; joint motion imaging is not their primary
use.
Teaching Point
Axial (transverse) = superior/inferior orientation; useful when
correlating imaging with patient positioning.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Anatomical Position &
Directions
Question Stem
A 68-year-old patient is instructed to stand in the anatomical
position for range-of-motion documentation. The nurse
documents movement of the patient's forearm away from the
midline as “abduction at the shoulder.” Based on anatomical
directions and planes, which movement/description is most
,accurate for the forearm moving away from the midline when
the elbow is flexed 90° and the palm faces anteriorly?
A. Forearm abduction in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis.
B. Forearm lateral rotation in the transverse plane about a
longitudinal axis.
C. Forearm external rotation in the sagittal plane about a frontal
axis.
D. Forearm adduction in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis.
Correct Answer
A
Rationale — Correct (A)
Abduction is movement away from the midline and occurs in
the frontal (coronal) plane about an anterior-posterior (sagittal)
axis. When the elbow is flexed and the palm faces anteriorly,
moving the forearm laterally is appropriately described as
abduction in the frontal plane. Nurses must document plane
and axis to clearly communicate ROM changes.
Rationale — Incorrect
B. Lateral rotation (external rotation) is around a longitudinal
axis in the transverse plane, not the frontal plane; this describes
rotation, not abduction.
C. External rotation is in the transverse plane, not sagittal; the
sagittal plane describes flexion/extension.
D. Adduction is movement toward the midline — the stem
describes movement away from the midline, so adduction is
incorrect.
,Teaching Point
Abduction/adduction occur in the frontal plane; specify plane
and axis when documenting ROM.
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 &
Clinical Imaging
Question Stem
A patient has a CT scan ordered to evaluate a suspected
intracerebral bleed. The radiology report describes hemorrhage
visible on axial images. Which description best explains the
orientation of axial (transverse) images and why this matters to
nursing positioning and bedside reporting?
A. Axial images are slices perpendicular to the long axis of the
body; they separate superior from inferior structures, guiding
head/foot orientation.
B. Axial images are slices parallel to the sagittal plane; they
separate left from right, guiding lateral nursing assessments.
C. Axial images are slices along the frontal plane; they separate
anterior from posterior and inform prone vs supine care.
, D. Axial images are oblique slices that best show joint motion
and are used primarily by physical therapists.
Correct Answer
A
Rationale — Correct (A)
Axial (transverse) images are perpendicular to the long axis and
divide the body into superior and inferior portions. Knowing
orientation helps nurses interpret radiology language (e.g.,
“upper axial slices show hemorrhage”) and coordinate
positioning, transfers, and head elevation for intracranial
pressure management.
Rationale — Incorrect
B. Sagittal plane slices separate left and right; axial is not
sagittal.
C. Frontal (coronal) plane separates anterior/posterior; axial is
different.
D. Axial images are standard radiologic planes, not typically
described as oblique; joint motion imaging is not their primary
use.
Teaching Point
Axial (transverse) = superior/inferior orientation; useful when
correlating imaging with patient positioning.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
