Nursing Elites

1. The innate immune system provides a non-specific first line of defense. What are some physical barriers that contribute to the innate immune system?

• A. Antibodies
• B. Phagocytes
• C. Skin and mucous membranes
• D. Memory B cells

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Physical barriers such as the skin and mucous membranes are crucial components of the innate immune system's first line of defense. These barriers act as physical obstacles that prevent pathogens from entering the body. Antibodies (option A) are produced by the adaptive immune system in response to specific pathogens and do not serve as physical barriers. Phagocytes (option B) are cells that engulf and digest pathogens, playing a role in the innate immune response but not as physical barriers. Memory B cells (option D) are part of the adaptive immune system and aid in mounting a faster and more effective immune response upon subsequent exposure to a specific pathogen, but they are not physical barriers against initial pathogen entry.

2. Which of the following is responsible for carrying electrical impulses in the nervous system?

• A. Platelets
• B. Neurons
• C. Red blood cells
• D. White blood cells

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Neurons are the correct answer as they are specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit electrical impulses throughout the body. Neurons have structures like axons and dendrites that enable the transmission of electrical signals. Platelets are responsible for blood clotting, red blood cells carry oxygen, and white blood cells are part of the immune system; however, none of these cell types play a role in carrying electrical impulses in the nervous system.

3. Which of the following is a dense, interconnected mass of nerve cells located outside the central nervous system?

• A. ganglion
• B. dendrite
• C. cranial nerve
• D. pons

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A ganglion is a dense, interconnected mass of nerve cells located outside the central nervous system. Ganglia serve as relay points where nerve cells communicate and integrate signals. They are found along peripheral nerves, processing sensory information and coordinating motor responses. Choice B, dendrite, refers to a part of a neuron that receives signals, not a mass of nerve cells. Choice C, cranial nerve, is a bundle of nerves that emerge from the brain, not a mass of nerve cells. Choice D, pons, is a part of the brainstem, which is within the central nervous system, not located outside of it.

4. Which element shares the same group (family) on the periodic table with helium (He)?

• A. Neon (Ne)
• B. Boron (B)
• C. Carbon (C)
• D. Oxygen (O)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Elements within the same group share similar electron configurations in their outermost shells, resulting in comparable chemical properties. Helium and Neon both belong to Group 18 (Noble Gases), explaining their similarities. Boron, Carbon, and Oxygen are not in the same group as Helium on the periodic table. Boron is in Group 13, Carbon is in Group 14, and Oxygen is in Group 16, which are different from Helium's Group 18.

5. Which cells myelinate neurons in the PNS?

• A. Oligodendrocytes
• B. Astrocytes
• C. Schwann cells
• D. Microglia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Schwann cells are the glial cells responsible for myelinating neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). They form the myelin sheath around axons, which helps in the conduction of electrical impulses. Oligodendrocytes, on the other hand, myelinate neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes primarily provide support for neuronal function by regulating the chemical environment around neurons and maintaining the blood-brain barrier. Microglia are part of the immune response in the CNS, where they act as the resident macrophages, playing a role in immune surveillance and response to injury or disease. Therefore, the correct answer is Schwann cells (Choice C) as they specifically myelinate neurons in the PNS, differentiating them from the other cell types mentioned in the choices.

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