Nursing Elites

1. What condition might result from a lack of vitamin C?

• A. Kwashiorkor
• B. Pellagra
• C. Rickets
• D. Scurvy

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Scurvy is the correct answer. Scurvy is a condition caused by a deficiency of vitamin C in the diet. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, and its deficiency leads to symptoms such as weakness, swollen and bleeding gums, joint pain, fatigue, and easy bruising. If left untreated, scurvy can lead to more severe complications. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition due to insufficient protein intake, pellagra is caused by a deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3), and rickets results from a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate.

2. What is the function of the stomach in digestion?

• A. To absorb nutrients
• B. To break down food
• C. To secrete digestive enzymes
• D. To store glucose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To break down food.' The stomach's primary function in digestion is to break down food mechanically and chemically. It accomplishes this by mixing food with gastric acid and digestive enzymes, resulting in the formation of chyme, a semi-liquid mixture that moves on to further digestion in the small intestine. Choice A is incorrect because the absorption of nutrients occurs mainly in the small intestine, not in the stomach. Choice C is incorrect because while the stomach does secrete digestive enzymes like pepsin, its primary role is not just limited to enzyme secretion. Choice D is incorrect because the storage of glucose primarily occurs in the liver and muscles, not in the stomach.

3. Which vitamin is important for vision?

• A. Vitamin A
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Vitamin D
• D. Vitamin K

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Vitamin A. Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining healthy vision, particularly in low-light conditions. It plays a key role in the health of the retina and is necessary for the proper functioning of the eye. Deficiency in Vitamin A can lead to night blindness and other vision problems. Vitamin C is important for the immune system and skin health, not specifically for vision. Vitamin D is essential for bone health and overall well-being, but it is not directly related to vision. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting, but it is not specifically linked to vision.

4. When are gallstones most problematic?

• A. When they block a duct
• B. When they contain cholesterol
• C. When they contain bilirubin
• D. When they begin to dissolve

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Gallstones become most problematic when they block a duct, such as the bile duct or cystic duct. This blockage can lead to various complications, including inflammation, infection, and even damage to the gallbladder or liver. In severe cases, a blocked duct can cause intense pain, jaundice, and other serious symptoms that require medical intervention. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the presence of cholesterol or bilirubin in gallstones or the process of dissolution do not necessarily indicate when gallstones become most problematic. The critical issue arises when the stones obstruct a duct, leading to complications.

5. Which hormone is produced by the pancreas?

• A. Insulin
• B. Glucagon
• C. Somatostatin
• D. Cortisol

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Insulin is the correct answer. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels. It facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells, helping to lower blood sugar levels. Glucagon, on the other hand, is also produced by the pancreas but functions to raise blood glucose levels by stimulating the release of glucose from the liver. Somatostatin is another hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate the endocrine system. Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, plays a role in stress response and metabolism, not by the pancreas.

Similar Questions