Nursing Elites

1. Do neural tube defects cause an elevation in the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level in the mother’s blood?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Possibly
• D. Never

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Yes, neural tube defects can cause an elevation in AFP levels in the mother’s blood. AFP levels are often used as a screening marker during pregnancy to detect neural tube defects. Choice B is incorrect because an elevation in AFP levels can indeed occur in the presence of neural tube defects. Choice C is not the best option as it leaves room for uncertainty when the relationship between neural tube defects and AFP elevation is well-established. Choice D is incorrect as neural tube defects are known to influence AFP levels in the maternal blood.

2. A client who delivered a healthy newborn an hour ago asked the nurse when she can go home. Which information is most important for the nurse to provide the client?

• A. After the baby no longer demonstrates acrocyanosis
• B. After the baby receives the vitamin K injection
• C. When ambulating to avoid causing dizziness
• D. When there is no significant vaginal bleeding

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most critical information for the nurse to provide the client is ensuring that there is no significant vaginal bleeding before discharge. This is vital to prevent complications such as postpartum hemorrhage. Options A, B, and C are important aspects of postpartum care, but assessing and managing vaginal bleeding takes precedence due to its potential seriousness.

3. When both of the alleles for a trait, such as hair color, are the same, the person is said to be _____ for that trait.

• A. monozygous
• B. dizygous
• C. homozygous
• D. hemizygous

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A person is homozygous for a trait when they have two identical alleles for that trait. In this case, both alleles are the same, indicating a homozygous genotype. Choice A, 'monozygous,' is incorrect as it refers to identical twins originating from a single fertilized egg. Choice B, 'dizygous,' is also incorrect as it refers to fraternal twins or individuals that develop from two separate fertilized eggs. Choice D, 'hemizygous,' is incorrect because it describes a genetic condition where only one allele is present in a diploid organism, typically related to genes on the sex chromosomes.

4. Polygenic traits are those that are:

• A. developed during adolescence.
• B. transmitted by the mother.
• C. uncommon in humans.
• D. determined by several pairs of genes.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Polygenic traits, such as height and skin color, are determined by several pairs of genes working together. These traits are influenced by the combined effects of multiple genes across the genome, rather than being controlled by a single gene pair. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because polygenic traits are not specifically developed during adolescence, transmitted by the mother, or uncommon in humans. Understanding polygenic traits is essential in genetics as they demonstrate the complexity of genetic inheritance and the influence of multiple genes on a single trait.

5. Which of the following statements is true of Down’s syndrome?

• A. Down’s syndrome is usually caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 in an individual.
• B. The symptoms of Down’s syndrome are similar to those of sickle-cell anemia.
• C. Down’s syndrome is caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) during conception.
• D. The probability of having a child with Down’s syndrome increases with the age of the parents.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The likelihood of having a child with Down’s syndrome increases as the age of the parents increases, particularly the mother's age. Choice A is incorrect because Down’s syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, not a defect in the sex chromosomes. Choice B is incorrect as the symptoms of Down’s syndrome and sickle-cell anemia are different. Choice C is also incorrect as Down’s syndrome is not caused by a sexually transmitted infection during conception.

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