Nursing Elites

1. Where is the primary site for nutrient absorption from digested food in the human digestive system?

• A. Esophagus
• B. Large intestine
• C. Small intestine
• D. Stomach

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption in the human digestive system. It is where the majority of digestion and absorption of nutrients from food occurs. The walls of the small intestine are lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area available for absorption. Nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and into the bloodstream to be transported to cells throughout the body for energy and other functions. The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and plays a role in swallowing, not nutrient absorption. The large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes from the remaining indigestible food matter after the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. The stomach mainly functions in the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food through muscular contractions and the secretion of digestive enzymes.

2. Which vitamin plays a crucial role in calcium absorption in the small intestine?

• A. Vitamin A
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Vitamin D
• D. Vitamin E

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is Vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium absorption in the small intestine by enhancing the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. This helps in regulating the levels of these minerals in the body, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin A (Choice A) is important for vision and immune function, but it is not directly related to calcium absorption. Vitamin C (Choice B) is primarily known for its role in collagen synthesis and antioxidant functions, not calcium absorption. Vitamin E (Choice D) acts as an antioxidant and is not directly involved in calcium absorption in the small intestine.

3. Which of the following units is used to express concentration as a mass of solute per unit volume of solution?

• A. Molality (m)
• B. Molarity (M)
• C. Weight percent (%)
• D. Parts per million (ppm)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Molality (m) is the unit used to express concentration as a mass of solute per unit volume of solution. It is calculated by dividing the mass of solute in grams by the mass of the solvent in kilograms. Molality is preferred over molarity when there are large temperature variations as it is temperature-independent, making it a more accurate measure of concentration. Molarity (B) is the unit used to express concentration as moles of solute per liter of solution, weight percent (C) is the mass of solute per 100 parts of the total mass of the solution, and parts per million (D) is used to express very small concentrations where 1 ppm is equivalent to 1 mg of solute per liter of solution.

4. At which of the following ages would ossification most likely take place to replace cartilage at the growth plate?

• A. 5
• B. 18
• C. 42
• D. 91

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Ossification, the process where cartilage is replaced by bone, typically occurs during adolescence, around the age of 18. This is when the growth plates in the bones close, and the bones stop growing in length, leading to the replacement of cartilage with bone tissue. Choice A (5) is incorrect because ossification primarily occurs during adolescence, not early childhood. Choice C (42) is incorrect as ossification is completed well before this age, usually during the late teens or early twenties. Choice D (91) is incorrect as ossification is a process that occurs earlier in life, typically during adolescence, and is not a process that occurs in advanced age.

5. What is the primary function of ribosomes in a cell?

• A. Protein synthesis
• B. DNA replication
• C. Cell division
• D. Lipid synthesis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Protein synthesis. Ribosomes are the cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis. They read the messenger RNA (mRNA) and translate the genetic information into specific proteins. This process is essential for building and maintaining the structures and functions of the cell. Choice B, DNA replication, is incorrect because ribosomes are not involved in replicating DNA; that process occurs in the nucleus. Choice C, cell division, is incorrect as ribosomes are not directly involved in cell division but rather in protein synthesis. Choice D, lipid synthesis, is also incorrect as ribosomes are not responsible for synthesizing lipids, which primarily occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum and other organelles.

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