,Comprehensive Test Bank for Marieb Human Anatomy &
Physiology, 12th Edition (Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott) – Verified
NCLEX/HESI-Style Questions with Rationales
Chapter 1: The Human Body: An
Orientation.
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Form (anatomy)
determines function — Key concept: Complementarity of
structure & function
Stem: A nurse explains why alveoli are thin-walled. Which
statement best matches anatomy → function? (≤50 words)
A. Thick walls improve gas exchange.
B. Thin walls allow rapid gas diffusion.
C. Many cilia enhance diffusion.
D. Cartilage increases alveolar flexibility.
Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Thin alveolar walls minimize diffusion
distance, allowing rapid O₂/CO₂ exchange — a direct example of
structure supporting function. Marieb A&P 12e, Ch.1, 1.1 Form
determines function.
Incorrect: A — Thick walls hinder diffusion. C — Cilia are on
airways, not alveoli, and don't enhance diffusion. D — Cartilage
is in bronchi, not alveoli; it would impede gas exchange.
Teaching Point: Structure (thin alveolar wall) optimizes gas
diffusion.
,2
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of Anatomy — Key
concept: Gross vs. microscopic anatomy
Stem: Which nursing task requires microscopic anatomy
knowledge?
A. Palpating a pulse.
B. Reading a blood smear under microscope.
C. Measuring blood pressure.
D. Testing reflexes.
Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Blood smear interpretation requires
microscopic anatomy/cytology to identify cell morphology.
Marieb A&P 12e, Ch.1, Topics of Anatomy.
Incorrect: A/C/D — Those are gross/physiologic bedside skills
not relying on microscope-level structure.
Teaching Point: Microscopic anatomy underpins laboratory
diagnostics.
3
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Studying Anatomy — Key
concept: Imaging techniques
Stem: Which imaging modality best shows soft tissue
differences for a suspected stroke?
A. X-ray.
B. MRI.
C. Ultrasound.
, D. PET scan.
Answer: B
Rationale (correct): MRI gives high-resolution soft tissue
contrast useful for detecting ischemic changes. Marieb A&P
12e, Ch.1, Studying Anatomy.
Incorrect: A — X-ray shows bone better. C — Ultrasound is
limited for brain imaging due to skull. D — PET shows metabolic
activity but less anatomic detail initially.
Teaching Point: Choose imaging that reveals relevant tissue
detail.
4
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of Physiology —
Key concept: Organ system function relationships
Stem: A nurse monitors stroke volume. Which system-level
function is being assessed?
A. Neural conduction velocity.
B. Cardiac pump efficiency.
C. Pulmonary diffusion capacity.
D. Renal filtration rate.
Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Stroke volume reflects ventricular pumping
effectiveness — a cardiovascular physiology variable. Marieb
A&P 12e, Ch.1, Topics of Physiology.
Incorrect: A/C/D — Those refer to nervous, respiratory, and
renal functions respectively, not stroke volume.
Physiology, 12th Edition (Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott) – Verified
NCLEX/HESI-Style Questions with Rationales
Chapter 1: The Human Body: An
Orientation.
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Form (anatomy)
determines function — Key concept: Complementarity of
structure & function
Stem: A nurse explains why alveoli are thin-walled. Which
statement best matches anatomy → function? (≤50 words)
A. Thick walls improve gas exchange.
B. Thin walls allow rapid gas diffusion.
C. Many cilia enhance diffusion.
D. Cartilage increases alveolar flexibility.
Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Thin alveolar walls minimize diffusion
distance, allowing rapid O₂/CO₂ exchange — a direct example of
structure supporting function. Marieb A&P 12e, Ch.1, 1.1 Form
determines function.
Incorrect: A — Thick walls hinder diffusion. C — Cilia are on
airways, not alveoli, and don't enhance diffusion. D — Cartilage
is in bronchi, not alveoli; it would impede gas exchange.
Teaching Point: Structure (thin alveolar wall) optimizes gas
diffusion.
,2
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of Anatomy — Key
concept: Gross vs. microscopic anatomy
Stem: Which nursing task requires microscopic anatomy
knowledge?
A. Palpating a pulse.
B. Reading a blood smear under microscope.
C. Measuring blood pressure.
D. Testing reflexes.
Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Blood smear interpretation requires
microscopic anatomy/cytology to identify cell morphology.
Marieb A&P 12e, Ch.1, Topics of Anatomy.
Incorrect: A/C/D — Those are gross/physiologic bedside skills
not relying on microscope-level structure.
Teaching Point: Microscopic anatomy underpins laboratory
diagnostics.
3
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Studying Anatomy — Key
concept: Imaging techniques
Stem: Which imaging modality best shows soft tissue
differences for a suspected stroke?
A. X-ray.
B. MRI.
C. Ultrasound.
, D. PET scan.
Answer: B
Rationale (correct): MRI gives high-resolution soft tissue
contrast useful for detecting ischemic changes. Marieb A&P
12e, Ch.1, Studying Anatomy.
Incorrect: A — X-ray shows bone better. C — Ultrasound is
limited for brain imaging due to skull. D — PET shows metabolic
activity but less anatomic detail initially.
Teaching Point: Choose imaging that reveals relevant tissue
detail.
4
Chapter & Subtopic: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of Physiology —
Key concept: Organ system function relationships
Stem: A nurse monitors stroke volume. Which system-level
function is being assessed?
A. Neural conduction velocity.
B. Cardiac pump efficiency.
C. Pulmonary diffusion capacity.
D. Renal filtration rate.
Answer: B
Rationale (correct): Stroke volume reflects ventricular pumping
effectiveness — a cardiovascular physiology variable. Marieb
A&P 12e, Ch.1, Topics of Physiology.
Incorrect: A/C/D — Those refer to nervous, respiratory, and
renal functions respectively, not stroke volume.
