Structure & Function of the Body
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1: An Introduction to the Body — Language of
science and medicine / Definitions
Question stem: A nursing instructor asks a student to correctly
document the location of a wound described as “distal to the
elbow.” Which student statement best reflects correct use of
anatomical directional language?
A. “The wound is nearer the shoulder than the hand.”
B. “The wound is farther from the trunk than the wrist.”
,C. “The wound is closer to the trunk than the elbow.”
D. “The wound is toward the midline of the body.”
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Distal means farther from the trunk or point of
origin; a wound distal to the elbow is farther toward the
wrist/hand than the elbow, so saying it’s farther from the
trunk than the wrist is the appropriate directional usage in
context.
• A: Incorrect — “nearer the shoulder than the hand” would
describe a proximal location, the opposite of distal.
• C: Incorrect — claims the wound is closer to the trunk than
the elbow, which contradicts “distal to the elbow.”
• D: Incorrect — “toward the midline” defines medial,
unrelated to distal/proximal relationship.
Teaching point: Distal = farther from trunk/point of origin.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Language of science
and medicine
2
Reference: Ch. 1: Levels of organization — Cellular → Tissue →
Organ
,Question stem: A patient’s lab report notes damaged epithelial
cells in the respiratory tract. Which nursing implication best
reflects understanding of levels of organization?
A. “Treat the entire organ system since organ-level failure is
certain.”
B. “Repair at the cellular level will not affect tissue function.”
C. “Cellular damage can impair tissue and organ function, so
monitor respiratory status.”
D. “Cellular damage is unrelated to clinical signs at the organ
level.”
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): Damage to cells (smallest living unit) can
impair tissue structure and organ function; monitoring
respiratory status links cellular injury to clinical assessment
and nursing interventions.
• A: Incorrect — Cellular injury does not always mean total
organ system failure; interventions may prevent
progression.
• B: Incorrect — Repair at the cellular level often restores
tissue integrity and function.
• D: Incorrect — Cellular injury frequently produces organ-
level clinical signs; they are not unrelated.
, Teaching point: Cell → tissue → organ: cellular injury can
progress to organ dysfunction.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Levels of
organization
3
Reference: Ch. 1: Scientific method & clinical decision-making
Question stem: A nurse notices an unexpected rise in
postoperative fever in several patients on one unit. Applying the
scientific method, what is the best first action?
A. Immediately change the antibiotic for all patients.
B. Formulate a hypothesis about a common cause and collect
data (vitals, cultures, meds).
C. Assume it is normal postoperative inflammation and do
nothing.
D. Report to the physician and wait for orders without collecting
data.
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): The scientific method begins with observation
and hypothesis formation, followed by systematic data
collection (vitals, wound checks, medication review,
cultures) to identify cause and guide interventions.
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1: An Introduction to the Body — Language of
science and medicine / Definitions
Question stem: A nursing instructor asks a student to correctly
document the location of a wound described as “distal to the
elbow.” Which student statement best reflects correct use of
anatomical directional language?
A. “The wound is nearer the shoulder than the hand.”
B. “The wound is farther from the trunk than the wrist.”
,C. “The wound is closer to the trunk than the elbow.”
D. “The wound is toward the midline of the body.”
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Distal means farther from the trunk or point of
origin; a wound distal to the elbow is farther toward the
wrist/hand than the elbow, so saying it’s farther from the
trunk than the wrist is the appropriate directional usage in
context.
• A: Incorrect — “nearer the shoulder than the hand” would
describe a proximal location, the opposite of distal.
• C: Incorrect — claims the wound is closer to the trunk than
the elbow, which contradicts “distal to the elbow.”
• D: Incorrect — “toward the midline” defines medial,
unrelated to distal/proximal relationship.
Teaching point: Distal = farther from trunk/point of origin.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Language of science
and medicine
2
Reference: Ch. 1: Levels of organization — Cellular → Tissue →
Organ
,Question stem: A patient’s lab report notes damaged epithelial
cells in the respiratory tract. Which nursing implication best
reflects understanding of levels of organization?
A. “Treat the entire organ system since organ-level failure is
certain.”
B. “Repair at the cellular level will not affect tissue function.”
C. “Cellular damage can impair tissue and organ function, so
monitor respiratory status.”
D. “Cellular damage is unrelated to clinical signs at the organ
level.”
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): Damage to cells (smallest living unit) can
impair tissue structure and organ function; monitoring
respiratory status links cellular injury to clinical assessment
and nursing interventions.
• A: Incorrect — Cellular injury does not always mean total
organ system failure; interventions may prevent
progression.
• B: Incorrect — Repair at the cellular level often restores
tissue integrity and function.
• D: Incorrect — Cellular injury frequently produces organ-
level clinical signs; they are not unrelated.
, Teaching point: Cell → tissue → organ: cellular injury can
progress to organ dysfunction.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Levels of
organization
3
Reference: Ch. 1: Scientific method & clinical decision-making
Question stem: A nurse notices an unexpected rise in
postoperative fever in several patients on one unit. Applying the
scientific method, what is the best first action?
A. Immediately change the antibiotic for all patients.
B. Formulate a hypothesis about a common cause and collect
data (vitals, cultures, meds).
C. Assume it is normal postoperative inflammation and do
nothing.
D. Report to the physician and wait for orders without collecting
data.
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): The scientific method begins with observation
and hypothesis formation, followed by systematic data
collection (vitals, wound checks, medication review,
cultures) to identify cause and guide interventions.
