Nursing Elites

1. What is an electrically charged atom called?

• A. Ion
• B. Isotope
• C. Molecule
• D. Compound

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An ion is an atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge, making it electrically charged. This term specifically refers to atoms with a net electrical charge. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, not electrically charged. Molecules are formed when atoms bond together, but they are not necessarily charged. Compounds are substances composed of different elements bonded together, but they may not be electrically charged.

2. What is insulin, where is it produced, and what is its function?

• A. Produced in the liver, regulates fat storage
• B. Produced in the pancreas, regulates blood sugar
• C. Produced in the stomach, aids in digestion
• D. Produced in the kidneys, controls hydration

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. Its primary function is to regulate blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose by cells for energy. The other choices are incorrect as insulin is not produced in the liver (Choice A), stomach (Choice C), or kidneys (Choice D), and its function is not related to fat storage, digestion, or hydration. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

3. Neurotransmitters send chemical messages across the gap between one neuron and another through which of the following structures?

• A. Schwann cell
• B. ganglion
• C. synapse
• D. axon

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Neurotransmitters send chemical messages across the gap between one neuron and another through a structure called the synapse. The synapse is a specialized junction where the axon of one neuron meets the dendrite or cell body of another neuron. Neurotransmitters are released from the axon terminal of the presynaptic neuron and travel across the synaptic cleft to bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, transmitting the signal between the two neurons. Choice A, Schwann cell, is incorrect as Schwann cells are responsible for producing myelin sheath around axons in the peripheral nervous system, not for transmitting neurotransmitters between neurons. Choice B, ganglion, is incorrect as ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system and do not directly participate in the transmission of chemical messages between neurons. Choice D, axon, is incorrect as the axon is a long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body and towards the axon terminals, where neurotransmitters are released into the synapse, but it is not the structure across which neurotransmitters travel to communicate between neurons.

4. Which hormone, produced by the ovaries, is responsible for the development of the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle and supports early pregnancy?

• A. Estrogen
• B. Progesterone
• C. Testosterone
• D. Prolactin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Progesterone, produced by the ovaries, is responsible for the development of the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle and supports early pregnancy. While estrogen also plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle, progesterone is specifically known for its role in preparing the uterus for pregnancy and maintaining the uterine lining. Testosterone is primarily a male sex hormone and not directly involved in these processes. Prolactin is a hormone that is mainly associated with milk production and not related to the development of the uterine lining or early pregnancy.

5. Why are isotopes of the same element chemically similar?

• A. They have the same number of protons.
• B. They have the same number of electrons.
• C. Their chemical properties are identical.
• D. They share the same electron configuration.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Isotopes of the same element are chemically similar because they have the same number of protons. The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number, which is the defining characteristic of an element. Since chemical reactions primarily involve interactions between the electrons of atoms, having the same number of protons means the atoms have the same basic chemical properties. While isotopes may differ in the number of neutrons, it is the number of protons that dictates the element's identity and chemical behavior. Therefore, choice A is correct because the number of protons directly influences an element's chemical properties, making isotopes of the same element chemically similar despite potentially having different numbers of neutrons. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because isotopes of the same element can have different numbers of electrons, their chemical properties are not identical due to potential differences in neutron numbers, and although they may have similarities in electron configurations, it is the number of protons that is the key factor determining chemical behavior.

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