Nursing Elites

1. How can the peripheral nervous system be further divided?

• A. Sensory and motor
• B. Sympathetic and parasympathetic
• C. Myelinated and unmyelinated
• D. Central and peripheral

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The peripheral nervous system can be further divided into sensory (afferent) neurons that carry information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system and motor (efferent) neurons that carry information from the central nervous system to muscles and glands. Choice A, 'Sensory and motor,' is the correct answer as it accurately identifies the two main functional divisions of the peripheral nervous system. Choices B, 'Sympathetic and parasympathetic,' are divisions of the autonomic nervous system, not the peripheral nervous system. Choice C, 'Myelinated and unmyelinated,' refers to the structural classification of nerve fibers rather than functional divisions. Choice D, 'Central and peripheral,' contrasts the central nervous system with the peripheral nervous system, not further dividing the peripheral nervous system itself.

2. What is the term for the particles moving within a substance?

• A. Ions
• B. Atoms
• C. Molecules
• D. Kinetic energy

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The term for the particles moving within a substance is typically 'molecules' or 'atoms,' depending on the state of matter. In this context, 'molecules' represent the particles moving around within a substance, especially in the liquid and gas states, while 'atoms' are the fundamental building blocks of matter. 'Ions' are charged particles that can be present in a substance but are not necessarily the primary particles in motion. 'Kinetic energy' is not a term used to describe the particles themselves but rather the energy associated with their motion.

3. What controls muscles by sending electrical impulses to the muscles?

• A. Blood vessels
• B. Nerves
• C. Hormones
• D. Neurons

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Nerves control muscles by transmitting electrical impulses that initiate muscle contractions. Blood vessels are responsible for transporting blood, not controlling muscles. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands to regulate bodily functions, not specifically controlling muscles. Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system that transmit signals, but nerves are the specific structures that control muscles by sending electrical impulses.

4. The average life expectancy at birth in the United States at the beginning of the 21st century was about 75 years. The average life expectancy at birth in the middle of the 19th century was only about 40 years. Which of the following factors are likely to have contributed to the longer life expectancy in the 21st century? (Select the one that does not apply)

• A. The human body has evolved to become more resilient to its environment.
• B. There have been numerous advances in medical technology and treatments.
• C. Higher standards of basic cleanliness have helped people avoid illness.
• D. The creation of vaccines has nearly eliminated certain diseases that were once deadly.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Medical advances, higher standards of cleanliness, and the creation of vaccines have all significantly contributed to the increase in life expectancy over time. While human evolution plays a role in adaptation to the environment over millennia, it is not a primary factor that has led to the substantial increase in life expectancy within a few centuries. The human body's evolution is a slow process that occurs over generations, while the advancements in medical technology, cleanliness, and vaccines have had a more immediate and direct impact on improving life expectancy.

5. What is the primary function of the myelin sheath that surrounds some axons in the nervous system?

• A. To initiate nerve impulses
• B. To transmit sensory information
• C. To speed up the transmission of nerve impulses
• D. To connect neurons at synapses

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary function of the myelin sheath is to speed up the transmission of nerve impulses. The myelin sheath acts as an insulating layer around the axon, allowing for faster conduction of electrical impulses along the nerve fiber. This insulation prevents the electrical signal from dissipating or 'leaking' out, which helps in the rapid and efficient transmission of nerve impulses along the axon. Choice A is incorrect because the myelin sheath does not initiate nerve impulses; it helps in conducting them. Choice B is incorrect as the myelin sheath's main role is not in transmitting sensory information but rather in facilitating the transmission of nerve impulses. Choice D is incorrect because the myelin sheath's function is not to connect neurons at synapses; instead, it is primarily involved in enhancing the speed of nerve impulse transmission.

Similar Questions