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 – Levels of Organization
Question Stem
A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client diagnosed with
pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The nurse understands that the
initial pathophysiological disturbance originated at which level
of structural organization?
A. Cellular level
B. Tissue level
C. Organ level
D. System level
Correct Answer
A. Cellular level
Rationales
• Correct: Cancer begins with genetic mutations that disrupt
the normal structure and function of a single cell, leading
, to uncontrolled cell division. This originates at the cellular
level of organization before progressing to affect tissues
and organs.
• Incorrect B: While a tumor constitutes a mass of cells (a
tissue), the initial error in DNA and cellular function
precedes the tissue-level manifestation.
• Incorrect C: The organ level is affected as the cancerous
cells proliferate and damage the pancreas, but this is a
consequence, not the origin.
• Incorrect D: The system level (e.g., the digestive or
endocrine system) is impacted later in the disease process
as organ function becomes compromised.
Teaching Point
All disease begins with an alteration in normal cell structure and
function.
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 client's radial pulse.
To correctly perform this assessment from a standard
,anatomical perspective, how should the client's palm be
positioned?
A. Facing posteriorly (toward the back)
B. Facing anteriorly (toward the front)
C. Facing medially (toward the midline)
D. Facing inferiorly (toward the feet)
Correct Answer
B. Facing anteriorly (toward the front)
Rationales
• Correct: In the anatomical position, the palms of the hands
face forward (anteriorly). This is the universal reference
point for all directional terms and ensures accurate
communication among healthcare providers.
• Incorrect A: Palms facing posteriorly describes the back of
the hands facing forward, which is not the standard
anatomical position.
• Incorrect C: The medial surface of the forearm and hand
faces the midline, but the palm itself faces anteriorly.
• Incorrect D: "Inferiorly" describes a direction, not a surface
orientation, and is incorrect for palm placement.
Teaching Point
The anatomical position is the essential reference point for all
descriptive location terminology.
, Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 3
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Body Cavities
Question Stem
A client is admitted with suspected pericarditis. In which body
cavity is the affected membrane located?
A. Dorsal cavity
B. Pleural cavity
C. Mediastinum
D. Abdominal cavity
Correct Answer
C. Mediastinum
Rationales
• Correct: The mediastinum is the central compartment of
the thoracic cavity that contains the heart, great vessels,
trachea, and esophagus. The pericardium is the serous
membrane that surrounds the heart within this space.
• Incorrect A: The dorsal cavity contains the brain and spinal
cord, not the heart.
• Incorrect B: The pleural cavities contain the lungs and their
pleurae, which are separate from the pericardium.
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY A.
THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
Question 1
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Levels of Organization
Question Stem
A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client diagnosed with
pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The nurse understands that the
initial pathophysiological disturbance originated at which level
of structural organization?
A. Cellular level
B. Tissue level
C. Organ level
D. System level
Correct Answer
A. Cellular level
Rationales
• Correct: Cancer begins with genetic mutations that disrupt
the normal structure and function of a single cell, leading
, to uncontrolled cell division. This originates at the cellular
level of organization before progressing to affect tissues
and organs.
• Incorrect B: While a tumor constitutes a mass of cells (a
tissue), the initial error in DNA and cellular function
precedes the tissue-level manifestation.
• Incorrect C: The organ level is affected as the cancerous
cells proliferate and damage the pancreas, but this is a
consequence, not the origin.
• Incorrect D: The system level (e.g., the digestive or
endocrine system) is impacted later in the disease process
as organ function becomes compromised.
Teaching Point
All disease begins with an alteration in normal cell structure and
function.
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 client's radial pulse.
To correctly perform this assessment from a standard
,anatomical perspective, how should the client's palm be
positioned?
A. Facing posteriorly (toward the back)
B. Facing anteriorly (toward the front)
C. Facing medially (toward the midline)
D. Facing inferiorly (toward the feet)
Correct Answer
B. Facing anteriorly (toward the front)
Rationales
• Correct: In the anatomical position, the palms of the hands
face forward (anteriorly). This is the universal reference
point for all directional terms and ensures accurate
communication among healthcare providers.
• Incorrect A: Palms facing posteriorly describes the back of
the hands facing forward, which is not the standard
anatomical position.
• Incorrect C: The medial surface of the forearm and hand
faces the midline, but the palm itself faces anteriorly.
• Incorrect D: "Inferiorly" describes a direction, not a surface
orientation, and is incorrect for palm placement.
Teaching Point
The anatomical position is the essential reference point for all
descriptive location terminology.
, Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 3
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Body Cavities
Question Stem
A client is admitted with suspected pericarditis. In which body
cavity is the affected membrane located?
A. Dorsal cavity
B. Pleural cavity
C. Mediastinum
D. Abdominal cavity
Correct Answer
C. Mediastinum
Rationales
• Correct: The mediastinum is the central compartment of
the thoracic cavity that contains the heart, great vessels,
trachea, and esophagus. The pericardium is the serous
membrane that surrounds the heart within this space.
• Incorrect A: The dorsal cavity contains the brain and spinal
cord, not the heart.
• Incorrect B: The pleural cavities contain the lungs and their
pleurae, which are separate from the pericardium.
