Structure & Function of the Body
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body — Levels of
organization (chemical → organism)
Question stem: A 68-year-old patient with severe dehydration is
found to have low blood pressure, concentrated urine, and
elevated serum osmolality. Which level of organization best
explains why a change in the molecular concentration of solutes
(osmolarity) produces these whole-body clinical signs?
A. Tissue level
B. Organ level
C. Cellular level
D. System level
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
, • Correct (C): Changes in molecular concentrations first alter
the cellular environment (osmotic gradients), causing cell
volume and function changes that scale up to tissues and
then systems. This explains how a molecular imbalance
produces systemic signs.
• A (Tissue): Tissue-level effects occur after cellular
disturbances; tissues are collections of cells but do not
explain the initiating molecular cause.
• B (Organ): Organ-level dysfunction is downstream of
cellular and tissue changes; it does not identify the
immediate level where osmolarity alters function.
• D (System): The system level is broader (e.g., renal system)
and reflects integrated organ responses, not the initial
molecular/cellular disturbance.
Teaching point: Molecular and cellular changes initiate
downstream tissue and systemic effects.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2020, Ch. 1: Levels of
Organization
2
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body — Scientific method
& application to clinical reasoning
Question stem: A nurse observes that several patients on the
same unit developed postoperative fever within 24 hours. Using
the scientific method, what is the nurse's best first action to
,begin investigating a possible cause?
A. Assume a common provider caused the infections and notify
administration.
B. Formulate a hypothesis about a common exposure and
collect relevant data.
C. Immediately administer broad-spectrum antibiotics to all
affected patients.
D. Post warning signs on the unit door to stop all admissions.
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): The scientific method begins with observation,
then forming a testable hypothesis and collecting targeted
data (e.g., shared exposures, procedures) before drawing
conclusions.
• A: Making assumptions without data may lead to incorrect
conclusions and harm relationships; investigation should
precede accusations.
• C: Empiric therapy may be appropriate clinically for a
patient, but blanket antibiotic administration without
investigation risks harm and is not the first step in scientific
inquiry.
• D: Drastic measures (stopping admissions) may be
premature and disruptive without data supporting an
outbreak.
Teaching point: Use observation → hypothesis → data
collection before conclusions.
, Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2020, Ch. 1: Scientific
Method
3
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body — Anatomical
position & directional terms
Question stem: A new nurse documents a wound described as
“inferolateral to the left scapula.” In anatomical directional
terms, where is this located?
A. Above and toward the midline of the left scapula
B. Below and toward the side of the left scapula
C. Below and toward the midline of the left scapula
D. Above and toward the side of the left scapula
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): “Infero” = below; “lateral” = toward the side —
so inferolateral is below and toward the side of the left
scapula.
• A: “Above” is superior — contradicts “infero.”
• C: “Toward the midline” is medial, but “lateral” denotes
away from midline.
• D: “Above” contradicts “infero.”
Teaching point: Inferior = below; lateral = away from
midline.
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body — Levels of
organization (chemical → organism)
Question stem: A 68-year-old patient with severe dehydration is
found to have low blood pressure, concentrated urine, and
elevated serum osmolality. Which level of organization best
explains why a change in the molecular concentration of solutes
(osmolarity) produces these whole-body clinical signs?
A. Tissue level
B. Organ level
C. Cellular level
D. System level
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
, • Correct (C): Changes in molecular concentrations first alter
the cellular environment (osmotic gradients), causing cell
volume and function changes that scale up to tissues and
then systems. This explains how a molecular imbalance
produces systemic signs.
• A (Tissue): Tissue-level effects occur after cellular
disturbances; tissues are collections of cells but do not
explain the initiating molecular cause.
• B (Organ): Organ-level dysfunction is downstream of
cellular and tissue changes; it does not identify the
immediate level where osmolarity alters function.
• D (System): The system level is broader (e.g., renal system)
and reflects integrated organ responses, not the initial
molecular/cellular disturbance.
Teaching point: Molecular and cellular changes initiate
downstream tissue and systemic effects.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2020, Ch. 1: Levels of
Organization
2
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body — Scientific method
& application to clinical reasoning
Question stem: A nurse observes that several patients on the
same unit developed postoperative fever within 24 hours. Using
the scientific method, what is the nurse's best first action to
,begin investigating a possible cause?
A. Assume a common provider caused the infections and notify
administration.
B. Formulate a hypothesis about a common exposure and
collect relevant data.
C. Immediately administer broad-spectrum antibiotics to all
affected patients.
D. Post warning signs on the unit door to stop all admissions.
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): The scientific method begins with observation,
then forming a testable hypothesis and collecting targeted
data (e.g., shared exposures, procedures) before drawing
conclusions.
• A: Making assumptions without data may lead to incorrect
conclusions and harm relationships; investigation should
precede accusations.
• C: Empiric therapy may be appropriate clinically for a
patient, but blanket antibiotic administration without
investigation risks harm and is not the first step in scientific
inquiry.
• D: Drastic measures (stopping admissions) may be
premature and disruptive without data supporting an
outbreak.
Teaching point: Use observation → hypothesis → data
collection before conclusions.
, Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2020, Ch. 1: Scientific
Method
3
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body — Anatomical
position & directional terms
Question stem: A new nurse documents a wound described as
“inferolateral to the left scapula.” In anatomical directional
terms, where is this located?
A. Above and toward the midline of the left scapula
B. Below and toward the side of the left scapula
C. Below and toward the midline of the left scapula
D. Above and toward the side of the left scapula
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): “Infero” = below; “lateral” = toward the side —
so inferolateral is below and toward the side of the left
scapula.
• A: “Above” is superior — contradicts “infero.”
• C: “Toward the midline” is medial, but “lateral” denotes
away from midline.
• D: “Above” contradicts “infero.”
Teaching point: Inferior = below; lateral = away from
midline.
