STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF THE BODY
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY A.
THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
Question 1
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Language of Science and
Medicine
Question Stem
A nurse is documenting a patient's wound location. The note
states: "A 3-cm laceration is present on the anterior surface of
the lower limb, distal to the knee joint." Using standard
anatomical terminology, which body region is the nurse
describing?
Options
A) The posterior lower leg
B) The shin
C) The plantar surface of the foot
D) The thigh
,Correct Answer
B) The shin
Rationales
• Correct: The "anterior surface of the lower limb" is the
front of the leg. "Distal to the knee" means further away
from the point of attachment, placing it on the tibia, which
is commonly referred to as the shin.
• Incorrect A: "Posterior" refers to the back surface, which
contradicts "anterior."
• Incorrect C: The "plantar surface" is the sole of the foot,
which is the most inferior part of the lower limb, not just
distal to the knee.
• Incorrect D: The "thigh" is the portion of the lower
limb proximal to the knee joint.
Teaching Point
Anterior refers to the front; distal means farther from the trunk.
Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 2
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Anatomical Position
,Question Stem
A nursing student is preparing to palpate a patient's pedal
pulse. To accurately locate anatomical structures, the student
must ensure the patient is in which position?
Options
A) Supine with arms crossed over the chest
B) Lying on either side with knees bent
C) Standing upright, facing forward, with palms facing the thighs
D) Standing upright, facing forward, with palms facing forward
Correct Answer
D) Standing upright, facing forward, with palms facing forward
Rationales
• Correct: The standard anatomical position is standing
erect, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms
facing forward. This universal reference point prevents
confusion when describing location.
• Incorrect A & B: These are clinical positions (supine, lateral
recumbent) but are not the standard anatomical
position used as a universal reference.
• Incorrect C: In this position, the forearms are pronated,
which alters the descriptive terms for the radial and ulnar
sides of the arm.
Teaching Point
Anatomical position is the universal reference point for all
directional terms.
, Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 3
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Body Cavities
Question Stem
A patient is admitted with suspected peritonitis. The nurse
understands that this infection is located within which major
body cavity?
Options
A) Dorsal cavity
B) Cranial cavity
C) Ventral cavity
D) Spinal cavity
Correct Answer
C) Ventral cavity
Rationales
• Correct: Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum,
the membrane lining the abdominopelvic cavity. The
abdominopelvic cavity is a subdivision of the larger ventral
(anterior) body cavity.
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY A.
THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
Question 1
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Language of Science and
Medicine
Question Stem
A nurse is documenting a patient's wound location. The note
states: "A 3-cm laceration is present on the anterior surface of
the lower limb, distal to the knee joint." Using standard
anatomical terminology, which body region is the nurse
describing?
Options
A) The posterior lower leg
B) The shin
C) The plantar surface of the foot
D) The thigh
,Correct Answer
B) The shin
Rationales
• Correct: The "anterior surface of the lower limb" is the
front of the leg. "Distal to the knee" means further away
from the point of attachment, placing it on the tibia, which
is commonly referred to as the shin.
• Incorrect A: "Posterior" refers to the back surface, which
contradicts "anterior."
• Incorrect C: The "plantar surface" is the sole of the foot,
which is the most inferior part of the lower limb, not just
distal to the knee.
• Incorrect D: The "thigh" is the portion of the lower
limb proximal to the knee joint.
Teaching Point
Anterior refers to the front; distal means farther from the trunk.
Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 2
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Anatomical Position
,Question Stem
A nursing student is preparing to palpate a patient's pedal
pulse. To accurately locate anatomical structures, the student
must ensure the patient is in which position?
Options
A) Supine with arms crossed over the chest
B) Lying on either side with knees bent
C) Standing upright, facing forward, with palms facing the thighs
D) Standing upright, facing forward, with palms facing forward
Correct Answer
D) Standing upright, facing forward, with palms facing forward
Rationales
• Correct: The standard anatomical position is standing
erect, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms
facing forward. This universal reference point prevents
confusion when describing location.
• Incorrect A & B: These are clinical positions (supine, lateral
recumbent) but are not the standard anatomical
position used as a universal reference.
• Incorrect C: In this position, the forearms are pronated,
which alters the descriptive terms for the radial and ulnar
sides of the arm.
Teaching Point
Anatomical position is the universal reference point for all
directional terms.
, Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 3
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Body Cavities
Question Stem
A patient is admitted with suspected peritonitis. The nurse
understands that this infection is located within which major
body cavity?
Options
A) Dorsal cavity
B) Cranial cavity
C) Ventral cavity
D) Spinal cavity
Correct Answer
C) Ventral cavity
Rationales
• Correct: Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum,
the membrane lining the abdominopelvic cavity. The
abdominopelvic cavity is a subdivision of the larger ventral
(anterior) body cavity.
