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 &
Directional Terms
Question Stem
A confused elderly patient is found lying on a floor with the
right arm rotated so the palm faces posteriorly and the thumb
points medially. The nurse documents the limb position using
correct anatomical terms. Which description most accurately
,communicates the arm’s orientation in anatomical position
terms and why is this important for later neurological
examination?
Options
A. Right arm is pronated; palm faces posteriorly — important to
document because pronation indicates forearm rotation only.
B. Right arm shows medial rotation at the shoulder; palm faces
posteriorly — important because shoulder rotation alters
dermatomal testing landmarks.
C. Right arm is supinated with thumb medial; palm faces
anteriorly — important because supination suggests peripheral
nerve injury.
D. Right arm is abducted and externally rotated; thumb lateral
— important because abduction changes joint alignment for
reflex testing.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct Option (B): This description recognizes medial (internal)
rotation of the arm at the shoulder producing a posterior-facing
palm; shoulder rotation repositions dermatomal and myotomal
landmarks, which can change site selection for sensory and
motor testing. Documenting rotation clarifies whether altered
responses are due to limb orientation versus neurologic deficit.
Incorrect Option (A): Pronation describes forearm rotation
(radius over ulna) but does not specify shoulder medial rotation
,causing the palm to face posteriorly; it misses the shoulder’s
role.
Incorrect Option (C): Supination produces an anterior-facing
palm with thumb lateral, not a posterior-facing palm; this
mislabels the actual orientation.
Incorrect Option (D): Abduction and external rotation would
produce a lateral/thumb-lateral orientation — not posterior
palm; the option confuses rotation direction.
Teaching Point
Record anatomical rotations precisely; shoulder rotation
changes landmark positions for exams.
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 patient requires a CT scan to evaluate a pelvic fracture. The
radiologist requests axial images orthogonal to the transverse
plane. The nurse prepping the patient must explain what the CT
slices will represent. Which patient explanation is most accurate
and why does slice orientation matter for surgical planning?
, Options
A. CT slices will be vertical from front to back (sagittal);
orientation matters because sagittal views best show pelvic ring
symmetry.
B. CT slices will be horizontal (transverse), cutting the body into
superior and inferior parts; orientation matters because
transverse slices accurately show cross-sectional bone
displacement.
C. CT slices will separate front and back (coronal); this
orientation is best for visualizing anterior-posterior
displacement of pelvic bones.
D. CT slices will be along an oblique plane between sagittal and
coronal; oblique slices reduce artifact from bowel gas.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct Option (B): Axial (transverse) slices divide the body into
superior and inferior portions, producing cross-sectional images
that clearly display the relationship and displacement of pelvic
bones and surrounding soft tissue — essential for preoperative
planning.
Incorrect Option (A): Sagittal slices are vertical front-to-back
and not described by transverse/axial; they provide different
anatomical relationships and are less optimal for cross-sectional
displacement assessment.
Incorrect Option (C): Coronal slices show anterior versus
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Anatomical Position &
Directional Terms
Question Stem
A confused elderly patient is found lying on a floor with the
right arm rotated so the palm faces posteriorly and the thumb
points medially. The nurse documents the limb position using
correct anatomical terms. Which description most accurately
,communicates the arm’s orientation in anatomical position
terms and why is this important for later neurological
examination?
Options
A. Right arm is pronated; palm faces posteriorly — important to
document because pronation indicates forearm rotation only.
B. Right arm shows medial rotation at the shoulder; palm faces
posteriorly — important because shoulder rotation alters
dermatomal testing landmarks.
C. Right arm is supinated with thumb medial; palm faces
anteriorly — important because supination suggests peripheral
nerve injury.
D. Right arm is abducted and externally rotated; thumb lateral
— important because abduction changes joint alignment for
reflex testing.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct Option (B): This description recognizes medial (internal)
rotation of the arm at the shoulder producing a posterior-facing
palm; shoulder rotation repositions dermatomal and myotomal
landmarks, which can change site selection for sensory and
motor testing. Documenting rotation clarifies whether altered
responses are due to limb orientation versus neurologic deficit.
Incorrect Option (A): Pronation describes forearm rotation
(radius over ulna) but does not specify shoulder medial rotation
,causing the palm to face posteriorly; it misses the shoulder’s
role.
Incorrect Option (C): Supination produces an anterior-facing
palm with thumb lateral, not a posterior-facing palm; this
mislabels the actual orientation.
Incorrect Option (D): Abduction and external rotation would
produce a lateral/thumb-lateral orientation — not posterior
palm; the option confuses rotation direction.
Teaching Point
Record anatomical rotations precisely; shoulder rotation
changes landmark positions for exams.
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 patient requires a CT scan to evaluate a pelvic fracture. The
radiologist requests axial images orthogonal to the transverse
plane. The nurse prepping the patient must explain what the CT
slices will represent. Which patient explanation is most accurate
and why does slice orientation matter for surgical planning?
, Options
A. CT slices will be vertical from front to back (sagittal);
orientation matters because sagittal views best show pelvic ring
symmetry.
B. CT slices will be horizontal (transverse), cutting the body into
superior and inferior parts; orientation matters because
transverse slices accurately show cross-sectional bone
displacement.
C. CT slices will separate front and back (coronal); this
orientation is best for visualizing anterior-posterior
displacement of pelvic bones.
D. CT slices will be along an oblique plane between sagittal and
coronal; oblique slices reduce artifact from bowel gas.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct Option (B): Axial (transverse) slices divide the body into
superior and inferior portions, producing cross-sectional images
that clearly display the relationship and displacement of pelvic
bones and surrounding soft tissue — essential for preoperative
planning.
Incorrect Option (A): Sagittal slices are vertical front-to-back
and not described by transverse/axial; they provide different
anatomical relationships and are less optimal for cross-sectional
displacement assessment.
Incorrect Option (C): Coronal slices show anterior versus
