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 — Anatomical
Position & Directional Terms
Question stem: A patient is described in the medical record as
having a “laceration on the posterior, distal aspect of the left
lower limb.” As the admitting nurse prepares the initial
assessment, which area should be inspected first to verify this
description?
Options:
A. Lateral surface of the left thigh near the hip
B. Back of the left leg near the ankle
,C. Front of the left lower leg near the knee
D. Medial surface of the left foot near the arch
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): “Posterior” indicates the back surface and
“distal” indicates farther from the trunk; the back of the
left leg near the ankle fits both terms. This links anatomical
directional language to accurate inspection. Nurses must
translate charted directional descriptors into bedside
location for wound care.
• Incorrect (A): The lateral thigh near the hip is proximal and
lateral, not posterior distal.
• Incorrect (C): The anterior (front) lower leg near the knee
conflicts with “posterior.”
• Incorrect (D): The medial foot is distal but medial and
plantar, not posterior; it would not match “posterior”
description.
Teaching point: Posterior + distal = back surface farther
from trunk (e.g., back of calf/ankle).
Citation: Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure
& function of the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Planes of the
Body
,Question stem: A nurse watches a physical therapist ask a
patient to perform movements while observing the body in the
coronal plane. Which motion will the nurse expect the therapist
to evaluate?
Options:
A. Flexion and extension of the elbow
B. Abduction and adduction of the shoulder
C. Rotation of the head around the vertical axis
D. Circumduction of the wrist in transverse movement
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): The coronal (frontal) plane divides
anterior/posterior and is used to assess movements that
occur side-to-side such as abduction and adduction at the
shoulder. Recognizing planes helps nurses interpret
functional assessments.
• Incorrect (A): Flexion/extension occur primarily in the
sagittal plane.
• Incorrect (C): Rotation around the vertical axis occurs in
the transverse plane.
• Incorrect (D): Circumduction involves combined planes but
transverse-only description is inaccurate; wrist
circumduction involves sagittal and frontal components.
Teaching point: Coronal plane examines lateral
movements—abduction/adduction.
, Citation: Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure
& function of the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Body Cavities &
Organ Location
Question stem: A patient presents with sharp central chest
pain; the admitting nurse must anticipate which cavity likely
contains the organ most commonly associated with central
thoracic pain and prepare to monitor related vital changes.
Which cavity and organ are most relevant?
Options:
A. Pleural cavity — lungs
B. Abdominal cavity — stomach
C. Mediastinum (thoracic cavity) — heart
D. Pelvic cavity — urinary bladder
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): The mediastinum, within the thoracic cavity,
contains the heart; central chest pain often implicates
cardiac structures. Nurses monitor cardiovascular signs
(blood pressure, pulse, perfusion) accordingly.
• Incorrect (A): Pleural cavities contain lungs and lateral
thoracic pain is more typical for pleuritic pain.
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
1)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Anatomical
Position & Directional Terms
Question stem: A patient is described in the medical record as
having a “laceration on the posterior, distal aspect of the left
lower limb.” As the admitting nurse prepares the initial
assessment, which area should be inspected first to verify this
description?
Options:
A. Lateral surface of the left thigh near the hip
B. Back of the left leg near the ankle
,C. Front of the left lower leg near the knee
D. Medial surface of the left foot near the arch
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): “Posterior” indicates the back surface and
“distal” indicates farther from the trunk; the back of the
left leg near the ankle fits both terms. This links anatomical
directional language to accurate inspection. Nurses must
translate charted directional descriptors into bedside
location for wound care.
• Incorrect (A): The lateral thigh near the hip is proximal and
lateral, not posterior distal.
• Incorrect (C): The anterior (front) lower leg near the knee
conflicts with “posterior.”
• Incorrect (D): The medial foot is distal but medial and
plantar, not posterior; it would not match “posterior”
description.
Teaching point: Posterior + distal = back surface farther
from trunk (e.g., back of calf/ankle).
Citation: Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure
& function of the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Planes of the
Body
,Question stem: A nurse watches a physical therapist ask a
patient to perform movements while observing the body in the
coronal plane. Which motion will the nurse expect the therapist
to evaluate?
Options:
A. Flexion and extension of the elbow
B. Abduction and adduction of the shoulder
C. Rotation of the head around the vertical axis
D. Circumduction of the wrist in transverse movement
Correct answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): The coronal (frontal) plane divides
anterior/posterior and is used to assess movements that
occur side-to-side such as abduction and adduction at the
shoulder. Recognizing planes helps nurses interpret
functional assessments.
• Incorrect (A): Flexion/extension occur primarily in the
sagittal plane.
• Incorrect (C): Rotation around the vertical axis occurs in
the transverse plane.
• Incorrect (D): Circumduction involves combined planes but
transverse-only description is inaccurate; wrist
circumduction involves sagittal and frontal components.
Teaching point: Coronal plane examines lateral
movements—abduction/adduction.
, Citation: Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure
& function of the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3)
Reference: Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Body Cavities &
Organ Location
Question stem: A patient presents with sharp central chest
pain; the admitting nurse must anticipate which cavity likely
contains the organ most commonly associated with central
thoracic pain and prepare to monitor related vital changes.
Which cavity and organ are most relevant?
Options:
A. Pleural cavity — lungs
B. Abdominal cavity — stomach
C. Mediastinum (thoracic cavity) — heart
D. Pelvic cavity — urinary bladder
Correct answer: C
Rationales:
• Correct (C): The mediastinum, within the thoracic cavity,
contains the heart; central chest pain often implicates
cardiac structures. Nurses monitor cardiovascular signs
(blood pressure, pulse, perfusion) accordingly.
• Incorrect (A): Pleural cavities contain lungs and lateral
thoracic pain is more typical for pleuritic pain.
