Structure & Function of the Body
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Language of science and medicine
(terminology)
Question stem: A postop patient reports “pain in the RUQ.”
Which interpretation will the nurse document to communicate
location precisely?
A. Right upper quadrant of the abdomen
B. Region near the right hip joint
C. Right side of the chest over the lungs
D. Right wrist area near the thumb
Correct answer: A
Rationale — correct: RUQ is a standard abdominal quadrant
abbreviation meaning the right upper quadrant; accurate
documentation uses the full phrase to avoid ambiguity.
,Rationale — incorrect: B is the right lower quadrant or flank
area, not RUQ. C describes thoracic structures, not abdominal
quadrants. D is an extremity location unrelated to RUQ.
Teaching point: RUQ = right upper quadrant (abdomen); use full
terms in documentation.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Language of science
and medicine
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Scientific method (clinical application)
Question stem: A nurse researcher notices increased
postoperative infections on one ward and forms a testable
hypothesis about hand-hygiene compliance. Which next
scientific step best aligns with the method?
A. Collect data on hand-hygiene compliance and infection rates
B. Publish conclusions immediately in a clinical newsletter
C. Assume infections are due to patient comorbidities only
D. Change antibiotic protocols hospital-wide without data
Correct answer: A
Rationale — correct: After forming a hypothesis, the scientific
method requires systematic data collection to test the
hypothesis.
Rationale — incorrect: B prematurely disseminates conclusions
without evidence. C is an unfounded assumption that ignores
the hypothesis. D implements an intervention without testing
causation.
,Teaching point: Testable hypotheses require systematic data
collection before conclusions.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Scientific method
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Levels of organization (cells → systems)
Question stem: A nursing student must explain why hypoxia
affects multiple organs quickly. Which statement best links
levels of organization to this clinical observation?
A. Cells require oxygen for ATP; tissue dysfunction impairs organ
systems.
B. Organs produce oxygen independently of cells.
C. Tissues can generate ATP without oxygen indefinitely.
D. Systems are unaffected until the body temperature rises.
Correct answer: A
Rationale — correct: At the cellular level oxygen is essential for
ATP production; cellular failure leads to tissue and organ
dysfunction, explaining systemic effects of hypoxia.
Rationale — incorrect: B is false — organs do not produce
oxygen. C is incorrect — many tissues cannot sustain ATP
production without oxygen. D is unrelated to oxygen delivery.
Teaching point: Cellular oxygen failure → impaired ATP → tissue
and organ dysfunction.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Levels of
organization
, 4
Reference: Ch. 1 — Anatomical position & directional terms
Question stem: While teaching a family, the nurse points to the
area medial to the patient’s elbow. Which description best
matches that anatomical direction?
A. Toward the midline of the body from the elbow
B. Toward the front surface of the elbow joint
C. Away from the trunk toward the fingertip
D. Above the elbow toward the shoulder
Correct answer: A
Rationale — correct: ‘Medial’ means toward the midline; the
area medial to the elbow is closer to the midline than the
lateral aspect.
Rationale — incorrect: B describes anterior; C describes distal;
D describes proximal — all different directional terms.
Teaching point: Medial = toward the midline; lateral = away
from the midline.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Anatomical position
and directional terms
5
Reference: Ch. 1 — Planes of the body (clinical imaging)
Question stem: A patient’s CT scan is ordered in the transverse
plane. Which orientation will the radiology images show?
A. Horizontal cross-sections dividing superior and inferior parts
B. Vertical slices dividing anterior and posterior parts
16th Edition
• Author(s)Kevin T. Patton; Gary A. Thibodeau
TEST BANK
Reference: Ch. 1 — Language of science and medicine
(terminology)
Question stem: A postop patient reports “pain in the RUQ.”
Which interpretation will the nurse document to communicate
location precisely?
A. Right upper quadrant of the abdomen
B. Region near the right hip joint
C. Right side of the chest over the lungs
D. Right wrist area near the thumb
Correct answer: A
Rationale — correct: RUQ is a standard abdominal quadrant
abbreviation meaning the right upper quadrant; accurate
documentation uses the full phrase to avoid ambiguity.
,Rationale — incorrect: B is the right lower quadrant or flank
area, not RUQ. C describes thoracic structures, not abdominal
quadrants. D is an extremity location unrelated to RUQ.
Teaching point: RUQ = right upper quadrant (abdomen); use full
terms in documentation.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Language of science
and medicine
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Scientific method (clinical application)
Question stem: A nurse researcher notices increased
postoperative infections on one ward and forms a testable
hypothesis about hand-hygiene compliance. Which next
scientific step best aligns with the method?
A. Collect data on hand-hygiene compliance and infection rates
B. Publish conclusions immediately in a clinical newsletter
C. Assume infections are due to patient comorbidities only
D. Change antibiotic protocols hospital-wide without data
Correct answer: A
Rationale — correct: After forming a hypothesis, the scientific
method requires systematic data collection to test the
hypothesis.
Rationale — incorrect: B prematurely disseminates conclusions
without evidence. C is an unfounded assumption that ignores
the hypothesis. D implements an intervention without testing
causation.
,Teaching point: Testable hypotheses require systematic data
collection before conclusions.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Scientific method
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Levels of organization (cells → systems)
Question stem: A nursing student must explain why hypoxia
affects multiple organs quickly. Which statement best links
levels of organization to this clinical observation?
A. Cells require oxygen for ATP; tissue dysfunction impairs organ
systems.
B. Organs produce oxygen independently of cells.
C. Tissues can generate ATP without oxygen indefinitely.
D. Systems are unaffected until the body temperature rises.
Correct answer: A
Rationale — correct: At the cellular level oxygen is essential for
ATP production; cellular failure leads to tissue and organ
dysfunction, explaining systemic effects of hypoxia.
Rationale — incorrect: B is false — organs do not produce
oxygen. C is incorrect — many tissues cannot sustain ATP
production without oxygen. D is unrelated to oxygen delivery.
Teaching point: Cellular oxygen failure → impaired ATP → tissue
and organ dysfunction.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Levels of
organization
, 4
Reference: Ch. 1 — Anatomical position & directional terms
Question stem: While teaching a family, the nurse points to the
area medial to the patient’s elbow. Which description best
matches that anatomical direction?
A. Toward the midline of the body from the elbow
B. Toward the front surface of the elbow joint
C. Away from the trunk toward the fingertip
D. Above the elbow toward the shoulder
Correct answer: A
Rationale — correct: ‘Medial’ means toward the midline; the
area medial to the elbow is closer to the midline than the
lateral aspect.
Rationale — incorrect: B describes anterior; C describes distal;
D describes proximal — all different directional terms.
Teaching point: Medial = toward the midline; lateral = away
from the midline.
Citation: Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Anatomical position
and directional terms
5
Reference: Ch. 1 — Planes of the body (clinical imaging)
Question stem: A patient’s CT scan is ordered in the transverse
plane. Which orientation will the radiology images show?
A. Horizontal cross-sections dividing superior and inferior parts
B. Vertical slices dividing anterior and posterior parts
