THE HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH &
DISEASE
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN PATTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Language of science &
anatomical position
Question Stem
A nursing student documents a patient as lying in the “supine”
position with palms facing anteriorly. Which statement correctly
explains why the palms face anteriorly in standard anatomical
position terminology?
,A. Palms face anteriorly because this position places the radius
posterior to the ulna.
B. Palms face anteriorly because anatomical position
standardizes directional language regardless of individual
variation.
C. Palms face anteriorly because it is the position the body
assumes during sleep.
D. Palms face anteriorly because it makes the hands more
functional for movement.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Standard anatomical position is a fixed reference
(standing, facing forward, palms anterior) used to standardize
directional terms so descriptions are consistent across
observers.
Incorrect (A): Radius/ulna relationships are not the reason for
the palm orientation; the anatomical position is a convention,
not determined by bone placement.
Incorrect (C): Sleep posture varies; anatomical position is an
agreed reference posture, not a common sleep posture.
Incorrect (D): Functional advantage is not why anatomical
position was defined; it exists to allow consistent anatomical
descriptions.
,Teaching Point
Anatomical position is a standardized reference posture for
consistent directional terminology.
Citation
Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health & Disease (8th
ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Planes of the body
Question Stem
A clinician interprets a transverse CT image showing an
abdominal tumor above the level of the iliac crests. Which
plane produced this image and how does that plane divide the
body?
A. Sagittal plane — divides body into right and left portions.
B. Coronal (frontal) plane — divides body into anterior and
posterior portions.
C. Transverse (horizontal) plane — divides body into superior
and inferior portions.
D. Oblique plane — divides body into unequal sections at an
angle.
Correct Answer
C
, Rationales
Correct (C): A transverse (horizontal) plane slices the body into
superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts; CT axial images are
transverse.
Incorrect (A): Sagittal gives right/left views, not
superior/inferior.
Incorrect (B): Coronal divides anterior/posterior, not
superior/inferior.
Incorrect (D): Oblique planes are angled slices but standard CT
axial images are transverse, not oblique.
Teaching Point
Transverse planes produce superior–inferior cross-sections
(axial imaging).
Citation
Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health & Disease (8th
ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Anatomical directions
Question Stem
A wound is described as located on the dorsum of the hand and
proximal to the wrist. Which combination of anatomical terms
best describes its location relative to the fingers and elbow?
DISEASE
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN PATTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Language of science &
anatomical position
Question Stem
A nursing student documents a patient as lying in the “supine”
position with palms facing anteriorly. Which statement correctly
explains why the palms face anteriorly in standard anatomical
position terminology?
,A. Palms face anteriorly because this position places the radius
posterior to the ulna.
B. Palms face anteriorly because anatomical position
standardizes directional language regardless of individual
variation.
C. Palms face anteriorly because it is the position the body
assumes during sleep.
D. Palms face anteriorly because it makes the hands more
functional for movement.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Standard anatomical position is a fixed reference
(standing, facing forward, palms anterior) used to standardize
directional terms so descriptions are consistent across
observers.
Incorrect (A): Radius/ulna relationships are not the reason for
the palm orientation; the anatomical position is a convention,
not determined by bone placement.
Incorrect (C): Sleep posture varies; anatomical position is an
agreed reference posture, not a common sleep posture.
Incorrect (D): Functional advantage is not why anatomical
position was defined; it exists to allow consistent anatomical
descriptions.
,Teaching Point
Anatomical position is a standardized reference posture for
consistent directional terminology.
Citation
Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health & Disease (8th
ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Planes of the body
Question Stem
A clinician interprets a transverse CT image showing an
abdominal tumor above the level of the iliac crests. Which
plane produced this image and how does that plane divide the
body?
A. Sagittal plane — divides body into right and left portions.
B. Coronal (frontal) plane — divides body into anterior and
posterior portions.
C. Transverse (horizontal) plane — divides body into superior
and inferior portions.
D. Oblique plane — divides body into unequal sections at an
angle.
Correct Answer
C
, Rationales
Correct (C): A transverse (horizontal) plane slices the body into
superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts; CT axial images are
transverse.
Incorrect (A): Sagittal gives right/left views, not
superior/inferior.
Incorrect (B): Coronal divides anterior/posterior, not
superior/inferior.
Incorrect (D): Oblique planes are angled slices but standard CT
axial images are transverse, not oblique.
Teaching Point
Transverse planes produce superior–inferior cross-sections
(axial imaging).
Citation
Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health & Disease (8th
ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the body — Anatomical directions
Question Stem
A wound is described as located on the dorsum of the hand and
proximal to the wrist. Which combination of anatomical terms
best describes its location relative to the fingers and elbow?
