STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF THE BODY
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY A.
THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
Question 1
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Anatomical Position
Question Stem
A nurse is preparing to document a superficial skin abrasion
located on the anterior surface of the leg, just below the knee.
Using standard anatomical position and terminology, which
term should the nurse use to describe the location of this
abrasion in the patient's medical record?
Options
A) Crural region, proximal to the patella
B) Sural region, inferior to the patella
C) Crural region, distal to the patella
D) Femoral region, superior to the patella
Correct Answer
C
,Rationales
• Correct Answer C: The crural region is the anatomical term
for the leg (between the knee and ankle). The patella is the
kneecap. "Distal" means farther from the point of
attachment, so an area below the knee is distal to the
patella. This accurately describes the anterior, below-knee
location.
• Incorrect Answer A: The crural region is correct, but
"proximal to the patella" would be above the knee, on the
thigh.
• Incorrect Answer B: The sural region refers to the
posterior calf, not the anterior surface of the leg.
• Incorrect Answer D: The femoral region is the thigh, which
is superior (above) the knee and patella.
Teaching Point
Anatomical position standardizes all directional terms, ensuring
precise communication about body location.
Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 2
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Body Cavities
,Question Stem
A patient is admitted with suspected pericarditis. In which body
cavity is the affected membrane located, and which smaller
cavity within it must the nurse assess for complications?
Options
A) Thoracic cavity; pleural cavity
B) Ventral cavity; thoracic cavity
C) Dorsal cavity; cranial cavity
D) Abdominopelvic cavity; pelvic cavity
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct Answer B: The pericardium is a serous membrane
surrounding the heart. It is located within the thoracic
cavity, which is itself a subdivision of the larger ventral
(anterior) body cavity.
• Incorrect Answer A: The pleural cavities house the lungs,
not the heart.
• Incorrect Answer C: The dorsal cavity contains the brain
and spinal cord, not the heart.
• Incorrect Answer D: The abdominopelvic cavity contains
the digestive and reproductive organs, not the heart.
, Teaching Point
The pericardial sac is located within the thoracic cavity, a
subdivision of the ventral body cavity.
Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 3
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Levels of Organization
Question Stem
A patient has pancreatic insufficiency, leading to an inability to
digest fats. Analyzing this from the simplest level of
organization, a nurse understands that the initial
pathophysiology begins with a deficit at which level?
Options
A) Organ level
B) Cellular level
C) Tissue level
D) Chemical level
Correct Answer
D
Rationales
• Correct Answer D: Digestion is fundamentally a chemical
process. Pancreatic insufficiency involves a lack of digestive
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY A.
THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
Question 1
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Anatomical Position
Question Stem
A nurse is preparing to document a superficial skin abrasion
located on the anterior surface of the leg, just below the knee.
Using standard anatomical position and terminology, which
term should the nurse use to describe the location of this
abrasion in the patient's medical record?
Options
A) Crural region, proximal to the patella
B) Sural region, inferior to the patella
C) Crural region, distal to the patella
D) Femoral region, superior to the patella
Correct Answer
C
,Rationales
• Correct Answer C: The crural region is the anatomical term
for the leg (between the knee and ankle). The patella is the
kneecap. "Distal" means farther from the point of
attachment, so an area below the knee is distal to the
patella. This accurately describes the anterior, below-knee
location.
• Incorrect Answer A: The crural region is correct, but
"proximal to the patella" would be above the knee, on the
thigh.
• Incorrect Answer B: The sural region refers to the
posterior calf, not the anterior surface of the leg.
• Incorrect Answer D: The femoral region is the thigh, which
is superior (above) the knee and patella.
Teaching Point
Anatomical position standardizes all directional terms, ensuring
precise communication about body location.
Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 2
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Body Cavities
,Question Stem
A patient is admitted with suspected pericarditis. In which body
cavity is the affected membrane located, and which smaller
cavity within it must the nurse assess for complications?
Options
A) Thoracic cavity; pleural cavity
B) Ventral cavity; thoracic cavity
C) Dorsal cavity; cranial cavity
D) Abdominopelvic cavity; pelvic cavity
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct Answer B: The pericardium is a serous membrane
surrounding the heart. It is located within the thoracic
cavity, which is itself a subdivision of the larger ventral
(anterior) body cavity.
• Incorrect Answer A: The pleural cavities house the lungs,
not the heart.
• Incorrect Answer C: The dorsal cavity contains the brain
and spinal cord, not the heart.
• Incorrect Answer D: The abdominopelvic cavity contains
the digestive and reproductive organs, not the heart.
, Teaching Point
The pericardial sac is located within the thoracic cavity, a
subdivision of the ventral body cavity.
Citation
Patton & Thibodeau, 2024, Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body
Question 3
Reference
Ch. 1: Introduction to the Body – Levels of Organization
Question Stem
A patient has pancreatic insufficiency, leading to an inability to
digest fats. Analyzing this from the simplest level of
organization, a nurse understands that the initial
pathophysiology begins with a deficit at which level?
Options
A) Organ level
B) Cellular level
C) Tissue level
D) Chemical level
Correct Answer
D
Rationales
• Correct Answer D: Digestion is fundamentally a chemical
process. Pancreatic insufficiency involves a lack of digestive
