STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF THE BODY
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Levels of
Organization
Question stem: An older adult admitted for a deep pressure
ulcer shows undermining that extends from the epidermis
through subcutaneous tissue into skeletal muscle. The wound
becomes infected and the patient develops fever and
tachycardia. Which level of organization best explains how a
localized tissue injury can cause systemic signs like fever and
tachycardia?
,A. Cellular level
B. Tissue level
C. Organ level
D. System level
Correct answer: D
Rationale — Correct (D): System-level responses arise when
tissue damage triggers integrated responses across organ
systems (immune, cardiovascular, thermoregulatory). A local
infection stimulates immune mediators (cytokines) that act
systemically to raise set point (fever) and increase heart rate;
these are coordinated responses of multiple organs. Nurses
monitor systemic signs because local tissue failure can escalate
to system-level dysfunction (sepsis risk).
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Cellular level — Cells are the initial site of injury but do not
alone explain whole-body signs without coordinated organ
responses.
B. Tissue level — Tissue damage explains local dysfunction but
not integrated systemic responses.
C. Organ level — Organs contribute, but fever and tachycardia
reflect multisystem integration beyond a single organ.
Teaching point: Local tissue injury can provoke coordinated,
system-level responses (e.g., fever, tachycardia).
Citation: Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure &
function of the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Anatomical Position & Directions
Question stem: A patient arrives after trauma; imaging report
states a laceration is located 6 cm distal and anterior to the
elbow joint on the forearm. At bed side you must examine the
area. Which surface location should you inspect first?
A. On the palm side of the forearm, nearer the wrist than the
elbow
B. On the back (dorsal) side of the forearm, nearer the elbow
than the wrist
C. On the palm side of the forearm, nearer the elbow than the
wrist
D. On the back (dorsal) side of the forearm, nearer the wrist
than the elbow
Correct answer: A
Rationale — Correct (A): “Anterior” corresponds to the palmar
(volar) surface of the forearm in standard anatomical position;
“distal” from the elbow indicates closer to the wrist. Therefore
inspect the palmar side nearer the wrist. For nursing
assessment, correct directional interpretation ensures accurate
wound care and documentation.
Rationale — Incorrect:
B. Dorsal side nearer elbow — “dorsal” contradicts “anterior.”
C. Palmar side nearer elbow — “distal” specifies away from
, elbow, so nearer wrist is correct.
D. Dorsal side nearer wrist — “anterior” excludes dorsal surface.
Teaching point: Use anatomical position: anterior =
palmar/ventral; distal = away from trunk or joint.
Citation: Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure &
function of the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Planes of the Body
Question stem: A CT ordered to evaluate a suspected liver
laceration provides axial (transverse) images. The nurse reviews
the images with the clinician and must explain which plane the
slices represent and how they relate to anatomical orientation
for bedside correlation. Which statement correctly describes
the imaging plane and a practical implication for nursing
assessment?
A. Transverse plane divides body into anterior and posterior;
correlate to palpation depth.
B. Transverse plane divides body into superior and inferior;
correlate to which slices show upper versus lower liver
segments.
C. Sagittal plane divides body into left and right; correlate to
lateral wound location.
D. Frontal plane divides body into left and right; correlate to
midline structures.
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Levels of
Organization
Question stem: An older adult admitted for a deep pressure
ulcer shows undermining that extends from the epidermis
through subcutaneous tissue into skeletal muscle. The wound
becomes infected and the patient develops fever and
tachycardia. Which level of organization best explains how a
localized tissue injury can cause systemic signs like fever and
tachycardia?
,A. Cellular level
B. Tissue level
C. Organ level
D. System level
Correct answer: D
Rationale — Correct (D): System-level responses arise when
tissue damage triggers integrated responses across organ
systems (immune, cardiovascular, thermoregulatory). A local
infection stimulates immune mediators (cytokines) that act
systemically to raise set point (fever) and increase heart rate;
these are coordinated responses of multiple organs. Nurses
monitor systemic signs because local tissue failure can escalate
to system-level dysfunction (sepsis risk).
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Cellular level — Cells are the initial site of injury but do not
alone explain whole-body signs without coordinated organ
responses.
B. Tissue level — Tissue damage explains local dysfunction but
not integrated systemic responses.
C. Organ level — Organs contribute, but fever and tachycardia
reflect multisystem integration beyond a single organ.
Teaching point: Local tissue injury can provoke coordinated,
system-level responses (e.g., fever, tachycardia).
Citation: Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure &
function of the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
,2)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Anatomical Position & Directions
Question stem: A patient arrives after trauma; imaging report
states a laceration is located 6 cm distal and anterior to the
elbow joint on the forearm. At bed side you must examine the
area. Which surface location should you inspect first?
A. On the palm side of the forearm, nearer the wrist than the
elbow
B. On the back (dorsal) side of the forearm, nearer the elbow
than the wrist
C. On the palm side of the forearm, nearer the elbow than the
wrist
D. On the back (dorsal) side of the forearm, nearer the wrist
than the elbow
Correct answer: A
Rationale — Correct (A): “Anterior” corresponds to the palmar
(volar) surface of the forearm in standard anatomical position;
“distal” from the elbow indicates closer to the wrist. Therefore
inspect the palmar side nearer the wrist. For nursing
assessment, correct directional interpretation ensures accurate
wound care and documentation.
Rationale — Incorrect:
B. Dorsal side nearer elbow — “dorsal” contradicts “anterior.”
C. Palmar side nearer elbow — “distal” specifies away from
, elbow, so nearer wrist is correct.
D. Dorsal side nearer wrist — “anterior” excludes dorsal surface.
Teaching point: Use anatomical position: anterior =
palmar/ventral; distal = away from trunk or joint.
Citation: Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure &
function of the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Planes of the Body
Question stem: A CT ordered to evaluate a suspected liver
laceration provides axial (transverse) images. The nurse reviews
the images with the clinician and must explain which plane the
slices represent and how they relate to anatomical orientation
for bedside correlation. Which statement correctly describes
the imaging plane and a practical implication for nursing
assessment?
A. Transverse plane divides body into anterior and posterior;
correlate to palpation depth.
B. Transverse plane divides body into superior and inferior;
correlate to which slices show upper versus lower liver
segments.
C. Sagittal plane divides body into left and right; correlate to
lateral wound location.
D. Frontal plane divides body into left and right; correlate to
midline structures.
