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 &
anatomical directions
Question stem
A confused patient is found lying on the bed with the palms
facing posteriorly instead of anteriorly. A nurse documents that
the patient's forearm is in a position of pronation. Which
statement best describes the anatomical relation of the thumb
(pollex) in this pronated position compared with the anatomical
position?
,A. The thumb is lateral and posterior to the index finger.
B. The thumb is medial and anterior to the index finger.
C. The thumb is lateral and anterior to the index finger.
D. The thumb is medial and posterior to the index finger.
Correct answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): In pronation the palm faces posteriorly and the
radius crosses over the ulna; the thumb moves to a more
posterior and lateral orientation relative to the index finger. This
reflects how directional terms change with limb rotation and is
important when documenting limb orientation and
neurovascular assessment.
Incorrect (B): “Medial and anterior” describes the thumb in a
supinated/anatomical position, not pronation.
Incorrect (C): “Lateral and anterior” would be true for the
anatomical (palms anterior) position only for some digits; in
pronation the thumb is posterior, not anterior.
Incorrect (D): “Medial and posterior” misplaces the thumb’s
lateral relationship; the thumb is lateral, not medial, relative to
the index finger during pronation.
Teaching point
Limb rotations change spatial relations—pronation shifts the
thumb posteriorly and laterally.
,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 patient undergoes CT imaging to assess a suspected
bilateral lung contusion. The radiologist requests coronal plane
reconstructions to show both lungs and the mediastinum
simultaneously. Why does a coronal (frontal) plane best meet
this request compared with a transverse plane?
A. Coronal images separate left and right structures, showing
axial symmetry.
B. Coronal images slice the body into superior and inferior
portions, highlighting the lungs.
C. Coronal images divide anterior and posterior regions,
allowing visualization of both lungs and mediastinum in one
image.
D. Coronal images provide oblique views that emphasize
rounded lung margins.
Correct answer
C
, Rationales
Correct (C): The coronal (frontal) plane divides the body into
anterior and posterior portions. Imaging in this plane displays
both lateral lung fields and the mediastinum on a single slice,
making it useful for bilateral lung assessment. This structural
orientation informs nursing interpretation of radiology reports
and positioning for procedures.
Incorrect (A): While coronal images show both sides, “separate
left and right structures” is more descriptive of the sagittal
plane’s lateral view; the coronal plane is defined by anterior–
posterior division.
Incorrect (B): Dividing into superior and inferior portions
describes the transverse (axial) plane, not coronal.
Incorrect (D): Coronal images are not necessarily oblique and
do not specifically emphasize rounded lung margins.
Teaching point
Coronal (frontal) plane = anterior vs posterior; shows both lungs
and mediastinum together.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Body regions
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Anatomical position &
anatomical directions
Question stem
A confused patient is found lying on the bed with the palms
facing posteriorly instead of anteriorly. A nurse documents that
the patient's forearm is in a position of pronation. Which
statement best describes the anatomical relation of the thumb
(pollex) in this pronated position compared with the anatomical
position?
,A. The thumb is lateral and posterior to the index finger.
B. The thumb is medial and anterior to the index finger.
C. The thumb is lateral and anterior to the index finger.
D. The thumb is medial and posterior to the index finger.
Correct answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): In pronation the palm faces posteriorly and the
radius crosses over the ulna; the thumb moves to a more
posterior and lateral orientation relative to the index finger. This
reflects how directional terms change with limb rotation and is
important when documenting limb orientation and
neurovascular assessment.
Incorrect (B): “Medial and anterior” describes the thumb in a
supinated/anatomical position, not pronation.
Incorrect (C): “Lateral and anterior” would be true for the
anatomical (palms anterior) position only for some digits; in
pronation the thumb is posterior, not anterior.
Incorrect (D): “Medial and posterior” misplaces the thumb’s
lateral relationship; the thumb is lateral, not medial, relative to
the index finger during pronation.
Teaching point
Limb rotations change spatial relations—pronation shifts the
thumb posteriorly and laterally.
,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 patient undergoes CT imaging to assess a suspected
bilateral lung contusion. The radiologist requests coronal plane
reconstructions to show both lungs and the mediastinum
simultaneously. Why does a coronal (frontal) plane best meet
this request compared with a transverse plane?
A. Coronal images separate left and right structures, showing
axial symmetry.
B. Coronal images slice the body into superior and inferior
portions, highlighting the lungs.
C. Coronal images divide anterior and posterior regions,
allowing visualization of both lungs and mediastinum in one
image.
D. Coronal images provide oblique views that emphasize
rounded lung margins.
Correct answer
C
, Rationales
Correct (C): The coronal (frontal) plane divides the body into
anterior and posterior portions. Imaging in this plane displays
both lateral lung fields and the mediastinum on a single slice,
making it useful for bilateral lung assessment. This structural
orientation informs nursing interpretation of radiology reports
and positioning for procedures.
Incorrect (A): While coronal images show both sides, “separate
left and right structures” is more descriptive of the sagittal
plane’s lateral view; the coronal plane is defined by anterior–
posterior division.
Incorrect (B): Dividing into superior and inferior portions
describes the transverse (axial) plane, not coronal.
Incorrect (D): Coronal images are not necessarily oblique and
do not specifically emphasize rounded lung margins.
Teaching point
Coronal (frontal) plane = anterior vs posterior; shows both lungs
and mediastinum together.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Body regions
