THE HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH &
DISEASE
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN PATTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Language of science & medicine —
Terminology precision
Question stem: A nursing student documents “anterior” when
describing a rash on the patient’s arm. Which description best
reflects correct anatomical terminology that links structure to
position?
A. On the front surface of the arm, nearer the chest than the
posterior surface.
B. On the side of the arm, closer to the midline than the lateral
,border.
C. On the back surface of the arm, distal to the elbow.
D. On the lateral surface of the forearm, inferior to the wrist.
Correct answer: A
Rationale — Correct: “Anterior” denotes the front (ventral)
surface; describing it as nearer the chest clarifies positional
relation and links surface anatomy to midline reference.
Rationale — Incorrect:
B — Confuses “anterior” with “medial/lateral” positional
language.
C — Describes posterior location; “distal to the elbow” is
positional but posterior is wrong.
D — Refers to lateral/inferior forearm, not anterior arm; mixes
regions.
Teaching point: Use standardized directional terms to avoid
ambiguity.
Citation: Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health &
Disease (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Anatomical position & anatomical directions
Question stem: A radiology tech must align an X-ray so the
patient is in standard anatomical position. Which instruction
ensures that left/right designations on the image match
anatomical convention?
A. Patient stands with palms facing forward and thumbs
,pointing lateral.
B. Patient stands with palms against the thighs and feet rotated
inward.
C. Patient lies supine with arms crossed over the chest.
D. Patient stands with palms facing posteriorly and elbows
flexed.
Correct answer: A
Rationale — Correct: Standard anatomical position requires
standing upright with palms facing anteriorly; thumbs pointing
laterally establish consistent left/right orientation for imaging.
Rationale — Incorrect:
B — Palms against thighs do not guarantee anterior orientation;
feet rotation adds inconsistency.
C — Supine position changes orientation relative to standing
anatomical position.
D — Palms posteriorly reverse the anterior reference, causing
confusion in left/right labeling.
Teaching point: Anatomical position: standing, palms anterior,
thumbs lateral.
Citation: Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health &
Disease (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Planes of the body — Imaging
interpretation
Question stem: A CT scan shows a transverse (horizontal) slice
, through the abdomen. Which interpretation best describes
structures visible superior to that plane?
A. Structures closer to the head (cranial) than the plane.
B. Structures nearer the anterior body wall than the posterior.
C. Structures toward the midline (medial) relative to the plane.
D. Structures farther from the trunk (distal) than the plane.
Correct answer: A
Rationale — Correct: A transverse/horizontal plane divides
superior (cranial) from inferior; structures superior to the cut
are toward the head.
Rationale — Incorrect:
B — Anterior/posterior relates to direction, not
superior/inferior relative to a transverse plane.
C — Medial/lateral compare to midline, not above/below a
transverse slice.
D — Distal/proximal are limb-relative terms, inappropriate for
axial slices.
Teaching point: Transverse plane separates superior (cranial)
and inferior (caudal).
Citation: Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health &
Disease (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
4
Reference: Ch. 1 — Levels of organization — Cell to system
integration
Question stem: After a second-degree burn that destroys
DISEASE
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN PATTON
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Language of science & medicine —
Terminology precision
Question stem: A nursing student documents “anterior” when
describing a rash on the patient’s arm. Which description best
reflects correct anatomical terminology that links structure to
position?
A. On the front surface of the arm, nearer the chest than the
posterior surface.
B. On the side of the arm, closer to the midline than the lateral
,border.
C. On the back surface of the arm, distal to the elbow.
D. On the lateral surface of the forearm, inferior to the wrist.
Correct answer: A
Rationale — Correct: “Anterior” denotes the front (ventral)
surface; describing it as nearer the chest clarifies positional
relation and links surface anatomy to midline reference.
Rationale — Incorrect:
B — Confuses “anterior” with “medial/lateral” positional
language.
C — Describes posterior location; “distal to the elbow” is
positional but posterior is wrong.
D — Refers to lateral/inferior forearm, not anterior arm; mixes
regions.
Teaching point: Use standardized directional terms to avoid
ambiguity.
Citation: Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health &
Disease (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Anatomical position & anatomical directions
Question stem: A radiology tech must align an X-ray so the
patient is in standard anatomical position. Which instruction
ensures that left/right designations on the image match
anatomical convention?
A. Patient stands with palms facing forward and thumbs
,pointing lateral.
B. Patient stands with palms against the thighs and feet rotated
inward.
C. Patient lies supine with arms crossed over the chest.
D. Patient stands with palms facing posteriorly and elbows
flexed.
Correct answer: A
Rationale — Correct: Standard anatomical position requires
standing upright with palms facing anteriorly; thumbs pointing
laterally establish consistent left/right orientation for imaging.
Rationale — Incorrect:
B — Palms against thighs do not guarantee anterior orientation;
feet rotation adds inconsistency.
C — Supine position changes orientation relative to standing
anatomical position.
D — Palms posteriorly reverse the anterior reference, causing
confusion in left/right labeling.
Teaching point: Anatomical position: standing, palms anterior,
thumbs lateral.
Citation: Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health &
Disease (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Planes of the body — Imaging
interpretation
Question stem: A CT scan shows a transverse (horizontal) slice
, through the abdomen. Which interpretation best describes
structures visible superior to that plane?
A. Structures closer to the head (cranial) than the plane.
B. Structures nearer the anterior body wall than the posterior.
C. Structures toward the midline (medial) relative to the plane.
D. Structures farther from the trunk (distal) than the plane.
Correct answer: A
Rationale — Correct: A transverse/horizontal plane divides
superior (cranial) from inferior; structures superior to the cut
are toward the head.
Rationale — Incorrect:
B — Anterior/posterior relates to direction, not
superior/inferior relative to a transverse plane.
C — Medial/lateral compare to midline, not above/below a
transverse slice.
D — Distal/proximal are limb-relative terms, inappropriate for
axial slices.
Teaching point: Transverse plane separates superior (cranial)
and inferior (caudal).
Citation: Patton, K. T. (2024). The Human Body in Health &
Disease (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
4
Reference: Ch. 1 — Levels of organization — Cell to system
integration
Question stem: After a second-degree burn that destroys
