STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF THE BODY
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Levels of Organization
Question Stem
A nurse evaluates a patient with a deep laceration that has
penetrated skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle exposing
underlying connective tissue. Which level of organization best
explains why the muscle fails to contract normally at the injury
site despite surrounding healthy muscle?
,A. Cell level — injured myocytes cannot generate action
potentials.
B. Tissue level — disruption of muscle tissue architecture
impairs coordinated contraction.
C. Organ level — the entire limb has lost function because one
organ is injured.
D. System level — the musculoskeletal system is compensating
by using other muscles.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): At the tissue level, muscle is composed of organized
myocytes and extracellular matrix enabling coordinated
contraction; structural disruption impairs force transmission
and local coordination, producing dysfunctional contraction
despite intact neighboring cells. This links structure (tissue
architecture) to function (coordinated force generation) and
guides nursing wound care and mobility planning.
A: While individual myocytes contribute, the scenario
emphasizes organized tissue architecture loss rather than
isolated cellular failure.
C: Organ-level loss implies whole-organ dysfunction (e.g., entire
muscle organ), which overstates localized tissue disruption.
D: System compensation may occur, but it does not explain the
local failure of contraction at the injured tissue.
,Teaching Point
Tissue architecture is essential for organ function—local
disruption can impair whole-tissue activity.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Anatomical Position &
Directions
Question Stem
A confused patient points to the “inner side” of their forearm
when describing pain near the elbow. Which term should the
nurse use when documenting the location to remain
anatomically correct?
A. Medial — the side toward the midline of the body.
B. Lateral — the side farther from the midline of the body.
C. Proximal — the part closer to the shoulder joint.
D. Distal — the part farther from the shoulder joint.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): “Medial” indicates toward the midline when using
, standard anatomical position; the inner forearm near the elbow
is medial relative to the arm axis, so this term is accurate for
clear documentation and interprofessional communication.
B: “Lateral” is opposite—toward the outer side—so it
contradicts the patient’s “inner side”.
C: “Proximal” describes distance along a limb (closer to
shoulder), but doesn’t convey inner vs outer orientation.
D: “Distal” is distance away from the trunk and is not the
patient’s intended descriptor.
Teaching Point
Use anatomical position terms (medial/lateral) for precise,
unambiguous documentation.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Planes of the Body
Question Stem
A surgeon plans a minimally invasive approach to remove a
small mass located exactly at the midline of the anterior
abdominal wall. Which plane, if used for imaging slices, will best
show symmetric structures on either side of the mass?
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Levels of Organization
Question Stem
A nurse evaluates a patient with a deep laceration that has
penetrated skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle exposing
underlying connective tissue. Which level of organization best
explains why the muscle fails to contract normally at the injury
site despite surrounding healthy muscle?
,A. Cell level — injured myocytes cannot generate action
potentials.
B. Tissue level — disruption of muscle tissue architecture
impairs coordinated contraction.
C. Organ level — the entire limb has lost function because one
organ is injured.
D. System level — the musculoskeletal system is compensating
by using other muscles.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): At the tissue level, muscle is composed of organized
myocytes and extracellular matrix enabling coordinated
contraction; structural disruption impairs force transmission
and local coordination, producing dysfunctional contraction
despite intact neighboring cells. This links structure (tissue
architecture) to function (coordinated force generation) and
guides nursing wound care and mobility planning.
A: While individual myocytes contribute, the scenario
emphasizes organized tissue architecture loss rather than
isolated cellular failure.
C: Organ-level loss implies whole-organ dysfunction (e.g., entire
muscle organ), which overstates localized tissue disruption.
D: System compensation may occur, but it does not explain the
local failure of contraction at the injured tissue.
,Teaching Point
Tissue architecture is essential for organ function—local
disruption can impair whole-tissue activity.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Anatomical Position &
Directions
Question Stem
A confused patient points to the “inner side” of their forearm
when describing pain near the elbow. Which term should the
nurse use when documenting the location to remain
anatomically correct?
A. Medial — the side toward the midline of the body.
B. Lateral — the side farther from the midline of the body.
C. Proximal — the part closer to the shoulder joint.
D. Distal — the part farther from the shoulder joint.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): “Medial” indicates toward the midline when using
, standard anatomical position; the inner forearm near the elbow
is medial relative to the arm axis, so this term is accurate for
clear documentation and interprofessional communication.
B: “Lateral” is opposite—toward the outer side—so it
contradicts the patient’s “inner side”.
C: “Proximal” describes distance along a limb (closer to
shoulder), but doesn’t convey inner vs outer orientation.
D: “Distal” is distance away from the trunk and is not the
patient’s intended descriptor.
Teaching Point
Use anatomical position terms (medial/lateral) for precise,
unambiguous documentation.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Planes of the Body
Question Stem
A surgeon plans a minimally invasive approach to remove a
small mass located exactly at the midline of the anterior
abdominal wall. Which plane, if used for imaging slices, will best
show symmetric structures on either side of the mass?
