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ALS 3304 Exam 1
ALS 3304 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (NEW 2026/2027)
Question 1
The nurse is reviewing male reproductive anatomy with a student. Which of the
following structures is identified as one of the four primary parts of the scrotum?
A. Prostate gland
B. Tunica dartos
C. Vas deferens
D. Seminal vesicle
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The scrotum is anatomically composed of four parts: the epididymis, tunica
dartos, scrotal fascia, and parietal vaginal tunic. The tunica dartos is a smooth muscle
layer responsible for elevating the testes.
Question 2
A client has sustained a spinal cord injury affecting sympathetic innervation. The nurse
understands that this may impair thermoregulation of the testes due to compromised
function of which structure?
ALS 3304 Exam 1
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ALS 3304 Exam 1
A. Tunica albuginea
B. Epididymis
C. Seminiferous tubules
D. Rete testis
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The epididymis acts as a thermosensor. Its sweat glands, which are
innervated by sympathetic nerves, are crucial for cooling the testes in response to
elevated temperature.
Question 3
When assessing a patient with potential autonomic dysfunction, the nurse recalls that
sweat glands in the epididymis are primarily innervated by which type of nerves?
A. Parasympathetic nerves
B. Somatic nerves
C. Sympathetic nerves
D. Cranial nerves
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Sympathetic nerve innervation to the sweat glands in the epididymis is
essential for the thermoregulatory response that cools the testes.
ALS 3304 Exam 1
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ALS 3304 Exam 1
Question 4
The nurse is educating a patient about thermoregulation. Which part of the brain
initiates cooling of the testes in response to elevated core temperature, and by what
mechanism?
A. Cerebellum; inhibits muscle contraction
B. Hypothalamus; sends impulses to sweat glands
C. Medulla oblongata; increases respiratory rate
D. Thalamus; alters sensory perception
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat. In response to elevated
temperature, it sends neural impulses to the sweat glands in the scrotum, promoting
perspiration and cooling of the testes.
Question 5
A nurse is explaining testicular cooling mechanisms. Besides neural stimulation of sweat
glands, which additional physical process aids in lowering testicular temperature?
A. Radiation
B. Conduction
C. Heat transfer
D. Evaporation
ALS 3304 Exam 1
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ALS 3304 Exam 1
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: In addition to sweating induced by hypothalamic signaling, direct heat
transfer from the testicular artery to the cooler venous blood in the pampiniform plexus
is a key cooling mechanism.
Question 6
During a physical assessment, the nurse palpates the scrotum. The tunica dartos is
identified as an integral component of which structure?
A. Spermatic cord
B. Testicular parenchyma
C. Scrotum
D. Pelvic urethra
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The tunica dartos is one of the four anatomical layers that constitute the
scrotum, located as a smooth muscle layer beneath the skin.
Question 7
The nurse is describing scrotal anatomy. Which type of muscle comprises the tunica
dartos, and what is its structural characteristic?
A. Striated muscle; long, parallel fibers
B. Cardiac muscle; branching network
ALS 3304 Exam 1
ALS 3304 Exam 1
ALS 3304 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (NEW 2026/2027)
Question 1
The nurse is reviewing male reproductive anatomy with a student. Which of the
following structures is identified as one of the four primary parts of the scrotum?
A. Prostate gland
B. Tunica dartos
C. Vas deferens
D. Seminal vesicle
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The scrotum is anatomically composed of four parts: the epididymis, tunica
dartos, scrotal fascia, and parietal vaginal tunic. The tunica dartos is a smooth muscle
layer responsible for elevating the testes.
Question 2
A client has sustained a spinal cord injury affecting sympathetic innervation. The nurse
understands that this may impair thermoregulation of the testes due to compromised
function of which structure?
ALS 3304 Exam 1
, 2
ALS 3304 Exam 1
A. Tunica albuginea
B. Epididymis
C. Seminiferous tubules
D. Rete testis
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The epididymis acts as a thermosensor. Its sweat glands, which are
innervated by sympathetic nerves, are crucial for cooling the testes in response to
elevated temperature.
Question 3
When assessing a patient with potential autonomic dysfunction, the nurse recalls that
sweat glands in the epididymis are primarily innervated by which type of nerves?
A. Parasympathetic nerves
B. Somatic nerves
C. Sympathetic nerves
D. Cranial nerves
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Sympathetic nerve innervation to the sweat glands in the epididymis is
essential for the thermoregulatory response that cools the testes.
ALS 3304 Exam 1
, 3
ALS 3304 Exam 1
Question 4
The nurse is educating a patient about thermoregulation. Which part of the brain
initiates cooling of the testes in response to elevated core temperature, and by what
mechanism?
A. Cerebellum; inhibits muscle contraction
B. Hypothalamus; sends impulses to sweat glands
C. Medulla oblongata; increases respiratory rate
D. Thalamus; alters sensory perception
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat. In response to elevated
temperature, it sends neural impulses to the sweat glands in the scrotum, promoting
perspiration and cooling of the testes.
Question 5
A nurse is explaining testicular cooling mechanisms. Besides neural stimulation of sweat
glands, which additional physical process aids in lowering testicular temperature?
A. Radiation
B. Conduction
C. Heat transfer
D. Evaporation
ALS 3304 Exam 1
, 4
ALS 3304 Exam 1
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: In addition to sweating induced by hypothalamic signaling, direct heat
transfer from the testicular artery to the cooler venous blood in the pampiniform plexus
is a key cooling mechanism.
Question 6
During a physical assessment, the nurse palpates the scrotum. The tunica dartos is
identified as an integral component of which structure?
A. Spermatic cord
B. Testicular parenchyma
C. Scrotum
D. Pelvic urethra
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The tunica dartos is one of the four anatomical layers that constitute the
scrotum, located as a smooth muscle layer beneath the skin.
Question 7
The nurse is describing scrotal anatomy. Which type of muscle comprises the tunica
dartos, and what is its structural characteristic?
A. Striated muscle; long, parallel fibers
B. Cardiac muscle; branching network
ALS 3304 Exam 1
