Anatomy Exam

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Sample questions from Anatomy Exam

This material has 60 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A 72-year-old client in the emergency department develops right facial drooping, right arm weakness, and difficulty producing words 30 minutes ago. Blood pressure is 178/94 mm Hg and glucose is 108 mg/dL. Which area is most likely affected?

   • A.Left cerebral hemisphere
   • B.Right cerebral hemisphere
   • C.Left cerebellar hemisphere
   • D.Right occipital lobe

   Rationale: The left cerebral hemisphere usually controls language and voluntary movement on the right side of the body. A right hemispheric injury more commonly causes left-sided weakness and spatial-perception deficits. Cerebellar injury primarily disrupts coordination, while isolated occipital injury primarily affects vision. Sudden contralateral weakness with language impairment requires immediate stroke evaluation.

2. 2.A 68-year-old client on a stroke unit coughs after sipping water and has a wet voice and reduced palatal movement. Oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. Dysfunction of which cranial nerve pair most directly explains these findings?

   • A.Optic and oculomotor nerves
   • B.Glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves
   • C.Trigeminal and abducens nerves
   • D.Accessory and hypoglossal nerves

   Rationale: The glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves contribute to pharyngeal sensation, swallowing, and airway protection. The optic and oculomotor nerves serve visual functions, while the trigeminal and abducens nerves primarily support facial sensation, mastication, and lateral eye movement. The accessory and hypoglossal nerves control head movement and tongue movement but do not best explain impaired palatal function. Coughing and a wet voice after swallowing warrant withholding oral intake until swallowing safety is assessed.

3. 3.A 29-year-old client is admitted to the trauma unit after a diving injury at the C3 level. Respirations are shallow at 8/min and oxygen saturation is 88%. Injury to which nerve pathway most directly threatens ventilation?

   • A.Vagus nerve fibers supplying the bronchi
   • B.Intercostal nerves arising from T7-T11
   • C.Phrenic nerve fibers arising from C3-C5
   • D.Accessory nerve fibers supplying the trapezius

   Rationale: The phrenic nerve arises from C3-C5 and stimulates the diaphragm, the primary muscle of inspiration. Vagal fibers affect airway tone but do not provide the diaphragm's motor supply. Lower intercostal nerves assist chest wall movement, and the accessory nerve controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius. A high cervical injury with hypoventilation requires immediate respiratory support.

4. 4.A 45-year-old client in the emergency department reports severe low back pain, new urinary retention, and numbness around the perineum. Bladder scanning shows 720 mL of retained urine. Compression of which structure is the priority concern?

   • A.Thoracic sympathetic chain
   • B.Femoral nerve
   • C.Upper cervical spinal cord
   • D.Cauda equina

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A 36-year-old client in a neurology clinic has an unsteady gait, difficulty performing heel-to-shin testing, and overshooting when reaching for an object. Strength is equal bilaterally and blood pressure is 124/76 mm Hg. Which structure is most likely impaired?

   • A.Cerebellum
   • B.Hypothalamus
   • C.Primary somatosensory cortex
   • D.Broca area

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.