Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary function of the epiglottis in the respiratory system?

• A. Filtration of air
• B. Production of mucus
• C. Prevention of food entering the trachea
• D. Oxygen exchange in the alveoli

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary function of the epiglottis in the respiratory system is to prevent food from entering the trachea. During swallowing, the epiglottis covers the opening of the trachea, guiding food down the esophagus to the stomach and preventing it from entering the airway. This mechanism safeguards the respiratory system from foreign objects, ensuring proper air passage and avoiding potential choking hazards. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: A) Filtration of air is mainly performed by the nasal hairs and the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. B) Production of mucus is primarily carried out by the mucous glands in the respiratory system to trap particles and humidify the air. D) Oxygen exchange in the alveoli occurs in the lungs and is related to the process of respiration, not the function of the epiglottis.

2. 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.

3. Following successful heart transplant surgery, the patient's body will need to take medications to:

• A. Suppress the immune system and prevent rejection of the new heart.
• B. Reduce overall blood pressure.
• C. Dissolve any remaining blood clots.
• D. Stimulate the growth of new heart tissue.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: After heart transplant surgery, the patient's body will need to take medications to suppress the immune system and prevent rejection of the new heart. This is essential to ensure that the body does not identify the transplanted heart as a foreign entity and mount an immune response against it, which could lead to transplant rejection and failure. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because post-heart transplant medications primarily focus on preventing rejection by suppressing the immune system, rather than reducing blood pressure, dissolving blood clots, or stimulating the growth of new heart tissue.

4. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism that can directly cause evolution by natural selection?

• A. Mutations in genes
• B. Differential survival and reproduction based on traits
• C. Inheritance of acquired characteristics (like strong muscles from working out)
• D. Competition for resources in an environment

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Mutations in genes can introduce new genetic variations into a population, which can be acted upon by natural selection. B) Differential survival and reproduction based on traits is a key component of natural selection, as individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation. C) Inheritance of acquired characteristics, also known as Lamarckism, is not a mechanism of evolution by natural selection. Traits acquired during an individual's lifetime (such as strong muscles from working out) are not passed on to offspring. D) Competition for resources in an environment can drive natural selection by favoring individuals with traits that help them better compete for limited resources. Therefore, the correct answer is C) Inheritance of acquired characteristics (like strong muscles from working out), as it is not a mechanism that can directly cause evolution by natural selection.

5. What is the name for the process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells?

• A. Meiosis
• B. Mitosis
• C. Fission
• D. Binary fission

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Mitosis is the correct process by which a cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells. Meiosis involves two rounds of cell division resulting in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Fission refers to the division of a single-celled organism into two separate organisms, while binary fission specifically describes the division of prokaryotic cells. Therefore, the correct answer is Mitosis as it accurately represents the process of a cell dividing into two daughter cells.

Similar Questions