STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF THE BODY
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Anatomical position;
Anatomical directions
Question Stem (2–4 sentences)
A confused, post-op patient points to the area just above the
navel and says “my pain is up.” The nurse documents pain as
“superior to the umbilicus.” Considering standard anatomical
position and directional terms, which description is most
accurate for the nurse’s documentation?
Options
A. The nurse should document the pain as proximal to the
,umbilicus.
B. The nurse should document the pain as inferior to the
umbilicus.
C. The nurse should document the pain as superficial to the
umbilicus.
D. The nurse should document the pain as superior to the
umbilicus.
Correct Answer
D
Rationales
• Correct (D): In anatomical directional language, superior
means toward the head (above) relative to another
structure. Documenting the pain as superior to the
umbilicus correctly uses standard reference terminology
based on the anatomical position. This ensures consistent
communication among clinicians.
• Incorrect (A): Proximal describes closeness to a trunk or
origin in limbs, not an axial relation above/below the
umbilicus.
• Incorrect (B): Inferior means below; it contradicts the
patient’s description of “up.”
• Incorrect (C): Superficial refers to closeness to the surface
of the body, not a location above another structure.
,Teaching Point
Use anatomical position terms (superior/inferior) for consistent
axial location documentation.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Planes of the body
Question Stem
A nurse reviews a CT scan report that states an abnormality was
seen on a coronal slice through the thorax. The patient asks
whether the image divides their chest front-to-back or top-to-
bottom. Which explanation should the nurse give to correctly
describe the coronal plane?
Options
A. The coronal plane divides the body into right and left
portions.
B. The coronal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and
posterior (back) portions.
C. The coronal plane divides the body into superior (top) and
inferior (bottom) portions.
D. The coronal plane divides the body into superficial and deep
portions.
, Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): The coronal (frontal) plane runs vertically and
separates anterior from posterior portions. For thoracic
imaging, a coronal slice shows front-to-back relationships
helpful in evaluating lungs and mediastinal structures.
• Incorrect (A): A sagittal plane divides right and left; coronal
does not.
• Incorrect (C): A transverse (horizontal) plane separates
superior and inferior portions.
• Incorrect (D): Superficial/deep describe depth, not planar
divisions.
Teaching Point
Coronal (frontal) plane = divides anterior and posterior body
regions.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Body cavities
16TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KEVIN T. PATTON; GARY
A. THIBODEAU
TEST BANK
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Anatomical position;
Anatomical directions
Question Stem (2–4 sentences)
A confused, post-op patient points to the area just above the
navel and says “my pain is up.” The nurse documents pain as
“superior to the umbilicus.” Considering standard anatomical
position and directional terms, which description is most
accurate for the nurse’s documentation?
Options
A. The nurse should document the pain as proximal to the
,umbilicus.
B. The nurse should document the pain as inferior to the
umbilicus.
C. The nurse should document the pain as superficial to the
umbilicus.
D. The nurse should document the pain as superior to the
umbilicus.
Correct Answer
D
Rationales
• Correct (D): In anatomical directional language, superior
means toward the head (above) relative to another
structure. Documenting the pain as superior to the
umbilicus correctly uses standard reference terminology
based on the anatomical position. This ensures consistent
communication among clinicians.
• Incorrect (A): Proximal describes closeness to a trunk or
origin in limbs, not an axial relation above/below the
umbilicus.
• Incorrect (B): Inferior means below; it contradicts the
patient’s description of “up.”
• Incorrect (C): Superficial refers to closeness to the surface
of the body, not a location above another structure.
,Teaching Point
Use anatomical position terms (superior/inferior) for consistent
axial location documentation.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
2⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Planes of the body
Question Stem
A nurse reviews a CT scan report that states an abnormality was
seen on a coronal slice through the thorax. The patient asks
whether the image divides their chest front-to-back or top-to-
bottom. Which explanation should the nurse give to correctly
describe the coronal plane?
Options
A. The coronal plane divides the body into right and left
portions.
B. The coronal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and
posterior (back) portions.
C. The coronal plane divides the body into superior (top) and
inferior (bottom) portions.
D. The coronal plane divides the body into superficial and deep
portions.
, Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): The coronal (frontal) plane runs vertically and
separates anterior from posterior portions. For thoracic
imaging, a coronal slice shows front-to-back relationships
helpful in evaluating lungs and mediastinal structures.
• Incorrect (A): A sagittal plane divides right and left; coronal
does not.
• Incorrect (C): A transverse (horizontal) plane separates
superior and inferior portions.
• Incorrect (D): Superficial/deep describe depth, not planar
divisions.
Teaching Point
Coronal (frontal) plane = divides anterior and posterior body
regions.
Citation
Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2020). Structure & function of
the body (16th ed.). Ch. 1.
3️⃣
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to the Body — Body cavities
