,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 1 — 1.1 Form determines function
Key concept: Complementarity of structure & function
Stem: A nurse explains why alveoli have very thin walls. Which
best supports the explanation?
A. Thin walls increase structural support.
B. Thin walls decrease diffusion distance for gases.
C. Thin walls prevent fluid accumulation.
D. Thin walls increase friction during breathing.
Correct: B
Rationale (correct): Thin alveolar walls reduce diffusion
distance, maximizing gas exchange efficiency—classic
complementarity of structure and function. (Chapter 1, Section
1.1).
Incorrects: A is wrong—thinness reduces, not increases,
structural bulk. C is incorrect—prevention of fluid accumulation
relates to surfactant and lymphatics, not thinness per se. D is
incorrect—thin walls do not raise friction.
Teaching point: Form optimizes physiological performance
(structure → function).
,2) Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of anatomy
Key concept: Gross vs microscopic anatomy
Stem: Which procedure best uses microscopic anatomy
knowledge?
A. Palpating a liver edge.
B. Reading an arterial blood gas.
C. Interpreting a muscle biopsy slide.
D. Measuring blood pressure.
Correct: C
Rationale (correct): Examining a biopsy requires microscopic
anatomy (histology) to evaluate cells/tissues. (Chapter 1,
Section “Topics of Anatomy”).
Incorrects: A & D are gross/clinical exam skills, not microscopic.
B uses physiology/chemistry rather than tissue histology.
Teaching point: Microscopic anatomy = cells & tissues seen
under microscope.
3) Chapter 1 — 1.1 Studying anatomy
Key concept: Imaging modalities
Stem: A patient’s fractured tibia is best visualized with which
imaging study?
A. MRI for bone mineralization.
B. X-ray for cortical bone fracture.
C. Ultrasound for bone density.
, D. ECG for bone alignment.
Correct: B
Rationale (correct): Plain radiographs (X-rays) are first-line for
visualizing cortical bone fractures. (Chapter 1, Section “Studying
Anatomy”).
Incorrects: A: MRI shows soft tissue and marrow better than
cortical fracture detection as first-line. C: Ultrasound is poor for
cortical bone. D: ECG assesses cardiac electrical activity.
Teaching point: Use X-ray first for suspected fractures.
4) Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of physiology
Key concept: Organ system physiology
Stem: Which best exemplifies physiology rather than anatomy?
A. Shape of a nephron loop.
B. How the nephron concentrates urine.
C. Location of the adrenal gland.
D. Layers of the skin.
Correct: B
Rationale (correct): Physiology studies function—how the
nephron concentrates urine is functional. (Chapter 1, Section
“Topics of Physiology”).
Incorrects: A, C, D describe structures (anatomy), not function.
Teaching point: Physiology = how structures work.
5) Chapter 1 — 1.1 Complementarity
Physiology, 12th Edition (Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott) – Verified
NCLEX/HESI-Style Questions with Rationales
Chapter 1: The Human Body: An
Orientation.
Chapter 1 — 1.1 Form determines function
Key concept: Complementarity of structure & function
Stem: A nurse explains why alveoli have very thin walls. Which
best supports the explanation?
A. Thin walls increase structural support.
B. Thin walls decrease diffusion distance for gases.
C. Thin walls prevent fluid accumulation.
D. Thin walls increase friction during breathing.
Correct: B
Rationale (correct): Thin alveolar walls reduce diffusion
distance, maximizing gas exchange efficiency—classic
complementarity of structure and function. (Chapter 1, Section
1.1).
Incorrects: A is wrong—thinness reduces, not increases,
structural bulk. C is incorrect—prevention of fluid accumulation
relates to surfactant and lymphatics, not thinness per se. D is
incorrect—thin walls do not raise friction.
Teaching point: Form optimizes physiological performance
(structure → function).
,2) Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of anatomy
Key concept: Gross vs microscopic anatomy
Stem: Which procedure best uses microscopic anatomy
knowledge?
A. Palpating a liver edge.
B. Reading an arterial blood gas.
C. Interpreting a muscle biopsy slide.
D. Measuring blood pressure.
Correct: C
Rationale (correct): Examining a biopsy requires microscopic
anatomy (histology) to evaluate cells/tissues. (Chapter 1,
Section “Topics of Anatomy”).
Incorrects: A & D are gross/clinical exam skills, not microscopic.
B uses physiology/chemistry rather than tissue histology.
Teaching point: Microscopic anatomy = cells & tissues seen
under microscope.
3) Chapter 1 — 1.1 Studying anatomy
Key concept: Imaging modalities
Stem: A patient’s fractured tibia is best visualized with which
imaging study?
A. MRI for bone mineralization.
B. X-ray for cortical bone fracture.
C. Ultrasound for bone density.
, D. ECG for bone alignment.
Correct: B
Rationale (correct): Plain radiographs (X-rays) are first-line for
visualizing cortical bone fractures. (Chapter 1, Section “Studying
Anatomy”).
Incorrects: A: MRI shows soft tissue and marrow better than
cortical fracture detection as first-line. C: Ultrasound is poor for
cortical bone. D: ECG assesses cardiac electrical activity.
Teaching point: Use X-ray first for suspected fractures.
4) Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of physiology
Key concept: Organ system physiology
Stem: Which best exemplifies physiology rather than anatomy?
A. Shape of a nephron loop.
B. How the nephron concentrates urine.
C. Location of the adrenal gland.
D. Layers of the skin.
Correct: B
Rationale (correct): Physiology studies function—how the
nephron concentrates urine is functional. (Chapter 1, Section
“Topics of Physiology”).
Incorrects: A, C, D describe structures (anatomy), not function.
Teaching point: Physiology = how structures work.
5) Chapter 1 — 1.1 Complementarity
