Structure & Function of the Body
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1: Anatomical Position & Anatomical Directions
— Anatomical terms of location
Question stem: A new nurse documents a pressure ulcer on a
patient as located “5 cm superior to the umbilicus.” Which
written anatomical term gives the clearest standardized
description for the chart?
A. Inferior to the umbilicus
B. Superior to the umbilicus
C. Cephalad to the umbilicus
D. Distal to the umbilicus
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
, • Correct (C): Cephalad is an accepted anatomical directional
term meaning toward the head (superior) and is precise
for charting relative body locations; it avoids lay-language
ambiguity.
• A (Inferior): Opposite of the intended direction; would
misplace the wound below the umbilicus.
• B (Superior): Synonymous with cephalad but less specific
in anatomical lexicons used in some settings; cephalad is
preferred standardized term in many anatomy references.
• D (Distal): Refers to distance from the trunk along a limb
and is not appropriate for abdominal landmarking.
Teaching point: Use standardized anatomical directions
(e.g., cephalad/caudal) for precise documentation.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Anatomical
Position & Directions
2
Reference: Ch. 1: Planes of the Body — Sagittal, frontal
(coronal), transverse
Question stem: A CT technologist requests that you position a
patient so the imaging slices are parallel to the transverse plane
for abdominal imaging. How should the patient be positioned
relative to the plane?
A. Lying on the back with imaging slices parallel to a horizontal
line through the body
,B. Standing upright with slices dividing left and right halves
C. Lying on the side with slices parallel to a vertical plane
D. Sitting upright with slices dividing anterior and posterior
halves
Correct answer: A
Rationales:
• Correct (A): The transverse plane is horizontal (superior–
inferior separation); CT abdominal slices are parallel to this
plane, typically with the patient supine.
• B: Describes sagittal plane (divides left/right) and standing
is not required for CT.
• C: Lying on the side produces oblique positioning; the
frontal plane divides anterior/posterior.
• D: Sitting with anterior/posterior division describes the
frontal (coronal) plane, not transverse.
Teaching point: Transverse (horizontal) plane creates
superior and inferior sections; supine CT slices are parallel
to it.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Planes of the
Body
3
Reference: Ch. 1: Body Cavities — Thoracic and Abdominopelvic
cavities; serous membranes
Question stem: A patient requires chest tube insertion for a
, large pleural effusion. Which cavity must the clinician enter to
drain the fluid while avoiding cardiac injury?
A. Pericardial cavity
B. Mediastinum
C. Pleural cavity
D. Abdominopelvic cavity
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): Pleural cavities surround each lung and
contain pleural fluid; chest tubes are placed into the
pleural space to evacuate effusions while avoiding the
pericardial cavity.
• A: The pericardial cavity surrounds the heart; entering it
risks cardiac injury and is not used to drain pleural fluid.
• B: The mediastinum is the central thoracic compartment
(heart, great vessels) and is not the correct target for
pleural drainage.
• D: The abdominopelvic cavity is inferior to the diaphragm
and unrelated to pleural effusion drainage.
Teaching point: Chest tubes target the pleural cavity to
remove air or fluid, not the pericardial space.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Body Cavities &
Serous Membranes
4 (Foundational)
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1: Anatomical Position & Anatomical Directions
— Anatomical terms of location
Question stem: A new nurse documents a pressure ulcer on a
patient as located “5 cm superior to the umbilicus.” Which
written anatomical term gives the clearest standardized
description for the chart?
A. Inferior to the umbilicus
B. Superior to the umbilicus
C. Cephalad to the umbilicus
D. Distal to the umbilicus
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
, • Correct (C): Cephalad is an accepted anatomical directional
term meaning toward the head (superior) and is precise
for charting relative body locations; it avoids lay-language
ambiguity.
• A (Inferior): Opposite of the intended direction; would
misplace the wound below the umbilicus.
• B (Superior): Synonymous with cephalad but less specific
in anatomical lexicons used in some settings; cephalad is
preferred standardized term in many anatomy references.
• D (Distal): Refers to distance from the trunk along a limb
and is not appropriate for abdominal landmarking.
Teaching point: Use standardized anatomical directions
(e.g., cephalad/caudal) for precise documentation.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Anatomical
Position & Directions
2
Reference: Ch. 1: Planes of the Body — Sagittal, frontal
(coronal), transverse
Question stem: A CT technologist requests that you position a
patient so the imaging slices are parallel to the transverse plane
for abdominal imaging. How should the patient be positioned
relative to the plane?
A. Lying on the back with imaging slices parallel to a horizontal
line through the body
,B. Standing upright with slices dividing left and right halves
C. Lying on the side with slices parallel to a vertical plane
D. Sitting upright with slices dividing anterior and posterior
halves
Correct answer: A
Rationales:
• Correct (A): The transverse plane is horizontal (superior–
inferior separation); CT abdominal slices are parallel to this
plane, typically with the patient supine.
• B: Describes sagittal plane (divides left/right) and standing
is not required for CT.
• C: Lying on the side produces oblique positioning; the
frontal plane divides anterior/posterior.
• D: Sitting with anterior/posterior division describes the
frontal (coronal) plane, not transverse.
Teaching point: Transverse (horizontal) plane creates
superior and inferior sections; supine CT slices are parallel
to it.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Planes of the
Body
3
Reference: Ch. 1: Body Cavities — Thoracic and Abdominopelvic
cavities; serous membranes
Question stem: A patient requires chest tube insertion for a
, large pleural effusion. Which cavity must the clinician enter to
drain the fluid while avoiding cardiac injury?
A. Pericardial cavity
B. Mediastinum
C. Pleural cavity
D. Abdominopelvic cavity
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): Pleural cavities surround each lung and
contain pleural fluid; chest tubes are placed into the
pleural space to evacuate effusions while avoiding the
pericardial cavity.
• A: The pericardial cavity surrounds the heart; entering it
risks cardiac injury and is not used to drain pleural fluid.
• B: The mediastinum is the central thoracic compartment
(heart, great vessels) and is not the correct target for
pleural drainage.
• D: The abdominopelvic cavity is inferior to the diaphragm
and unrelated to pleural effusion drainage.
Teaching point: Chest tubes target the pleural cavity to
remove air or fluid, not the pericardial space.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Body Cavities &
Serous Membranes
4 (Foundational)
