Structure & Function of the Body
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction — Language of science and
medicine (terminology basics)
Question stem: A nurse reads a provider’s order: “Assess for
tachypnea and cyanosis.” Which pair of assessment techniques
best matches those terms?
A. Count respirations and inspect nail beds/skin.
B. Measure blood pressure and assess capillary refill.
C. Palpate pulses and auscultate bowel sounds.
D. Test visual acuity and check pupils for reactivity.
Correct answer: A
Rationale (correct): Tachypnea refers to rapid respirations
,(count respirations); cyanosis is bluish discoloration indicating
poor oxygenation, best seen by inspecting nail beds/skin. This
matches textbook emphasis on clinical application of medical
terms.
Rationale (incorrect): B — BP and capillary refill assess
perfusion but do not directly evaluate respiratory rate or
cyanosis. C — pulses and bowel sounds are unrelated to
breathing/oxygenation. D — vision and pupils evaluate
neurologic/ocular function, not respiration or cyanosis.
Teaching point: Medical terms map directly to focused
assessment actions.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Language of science
and medicine
2
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction — Scientific method (hypothesis
and clinical reasoning)
Question stem: A nursing student hypothesizes that early
mobilization reduces postoperative atelectasis. Which next step
best follows the scientific method in a clinical quality-
improvement plan?
A. Implement early mobilization for all patients without data
collection.
B. Collect baseline atelectasis incidence, apply intervention,
then compare rates.
C. Ask the surgeon if they “feel” mobilization helps and
,proceed.
D. Publish the hypothesis as a recommendation without testing.
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): The scientific method requires baseline
measurement, controlled implementation, and comparison to
test the hypothesis — aligning with evidence-based practice.
Rationale (incorrect): A — implementing without measurement
prevents evaluation of effectiveness. C — anecdotal opinion is
not systematic testing. D — publishing without testing violates
standards for evidence.
Teaching point: Use baseline data and comparison to test
clinical hypotheses.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Scientific method
3
Reference: Ch. 1: Levels of organization — Cells → tissues →
organs → systems
Question stem: A patient’s wound biopsy shows damaged
epithelial tissue but intact underlying connective tissue. Which
functional consequence is most likely?
A. Loss of a protective barrier and increased infection risk.
B. Loss of contractile force and decreased movement.
C. Impaired neural conduction and loss of sensation.
D. Decreased gas exchange across alveoli.
Correct answer: A
Rationale (correct): Epithelial tissue forms protective barriers
, (skin/mucosa); damage increases infection risk and fluid loss,
consistent with levels-of-organization concepts.
Rationale (incorrect): B — contractile function is a muscle
tissue role. C — sensation impairment implicates nervous
tissue. D — gas exchange pertains to respiratory epithelium and
alveolar architecture; not the most direct consequence here.
Teaching point: Epithelia provide protective barriers and
regulate permeability.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Levels of
organization
4
Reference: Ch. 1: Anatomical position & directions —
Anatomical terminology for documentation
Question stem: A patient has a laceration described as
“proximal to the lateral malleolus.” Where should the nurse
inspect?
A. Near the lower leg, just above the outer ankle bone.
B. On the plantar surface of the foot near the arch.
C. On the medial side of the knee.
D. Distal tip of the big toe.
Correct answer: A
Rationale (correct): “Proximal” means closer to the trunk;
“lateral malleolus” is the outer ankle bone — so just above the
outer ankle is correct. Proper anatomical terms prevent
documentation errors.
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction — Language of science and
medicine (terminology basics)
Question stem: A nurse reads a provider’s order: “Assess for
tachypnea and cyanosis.” Which pair of assessment techniques
best matches those terms?
A. Count respirations and inspect nail beds/skin.
B. Measure blood pressure and assess capillary refill.
C. Palpate pulses and auscultate bowel sounds.
D. Test visual acuity and check pupils for reactivity.
Correct answer: A
Rationale (correct): Tachypnea refers to rapid respirations
,(count respirations); cyanosis is bluish discoloration indicating
poor oxygenation, best seen by inspecting nail beds/skin. This
matches textbook emphasis on clinical application of medical
terms.
Rationale (incorrect): B — BP and capillary refill assess
perfusion but do not directly evaluate respiratory rate or
cyanosis. C — pulses and bowel sounds are unrelated to
breathing/oxygenation. D — vision and pupils evaluate
neurologic/ocular function, not respiration or cyanosis.
Teaching point: Medical terms map directly to focused
assessment actions.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Language of science
and medicine
2
Reference: Ch. 1: Introduction — Scientific method (hypothesis
and clinical reasoning)
Question stem: A nursing student hypothesizes that early
mobilization reduces postoperative atelectasis. Which next step
best follows the scientific method in a clinical quality-
improvement plan?
A. Implement early mobilization for all patients without data
collection.
B. Collect baseline atelectasis incidence, apply intervention,
then compare rates.
C. Ask the surgeon if they “feel” mobilization helps and
,proceed.
D. Publish the hypothesis as a recommendation without testing.
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): The scientific method requires baseline
measurement, controlled implementation, and comparison to
test the hypothesis — aligning with evidence-based practice.
Rationale (incorrect): A — implementing without measurement
prevents evaluation of effectiveness. C — anecdotal opinion is
not systematic testing. D — publishing without testing violates
standards for evidence.
Teaching point: Use baseline data and comparison to test
clinical hypotheses.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Scientific method
3
Reference: Ch. 1: Levels of organization — Cells → tissues →
organs → systems
Question stem: A patient’s wound biopsy shows damaged
epithelial tissue but intact underlying connective tissue. Which
functional consequence is most likely?
A. Loss of a protective barrier and increased infection risk.
B. Loss of contractile force and decreased movement.
C. Impaired neural conduction and loss of sensation.
D. Decreased gas exchange across alveoli.
Correct answer: A
Rationale (correct): Epithelial tissue forms protective barriers
, (skin/mucosa); damage increases infection risk and fluid loss,
consistent with levels-of-organization concepts.
Rationale (incorrect): B — contractile function is a muscle
tissue role. C — sensation impairment implicates nervous
tissue. D — gas exchange pertains to respiratory epithelium and
alveolar architecture; not the most direct consequence here.
Teaching point: Epithelia provide protective barriers and
regulate permeability.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Levels of
organization
4
Reference: Ch. 1: Anatomical position & directions —
Anatomical terminology for documentation
Question stem: A patient has a laceration described as
“proximal to the lateral malleolus.” Where should the nurse
inspect?
A. Near the lower leg, just above the outer ankle bone.
B. On the plantar surface of the foot near the arch.
C. On the medial side of the knee.
D. Distal tip of the big toe.
Correct answer: A
Rationale (correct): “Proximal” means closer to the trunk;
“lateral malleolus” is the outer ankle bone — so just above the
outer ankle is correct. Proper anatomical terms prevent
documentation errors.
