Nursing Elites

1. Which element is used in fire extinguishers to smother flames by displacing oxygen?

• A. Nitrogen
• B. Carbon dioxide
• C. Helium
• D. Argon

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Carbon dioxide is the correct answer. It is used in fire extinguishers because it displaces oxygen, which is necessary for combustion. When carbon dioxide is released onto a fire, it reduces the oxygen concentration around the flames, effectively smothering the fire. This disruption of oxygen availability interrupts the chemical reaction that sustains the fire. Nitrogen (Choice A), helium (Choice C), and argon (Choice D) are not typically used in fire extinguishers for smothering flames by displacing oxygen. Nitrogen is an inert gas that can displace oxygen but is not as effective as carbon dioxide in fire suppression.

2. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans utilize a key property of positrons for medical imaging. What is this property?

• A. High mass
• B. Positive charge
• C. Extreme stability
• D. Identical behavior to electrons

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Positron emission tomography (PET) scans utilize the property of positrons having a positive charge. Positrons are the antimatter counterpart of electrons, having the same mass but opposite charge. When a positron collides with an electron, they annihilate each other, producing gamma rays that can be detected by the PET scanner to create images of the body's internal structures and functions. Choice A is incorrect because positrons have the same mass as electrons. Choice C is incorrect as positrons are not extremely stable due to their tendency to annihilate when they encounter electrons. Choice D is incorrect as positrons exhibit different behavior than electrons due to their opposite charges.

3. Which of the following is NOT an element of the respiratory system?

• A. Ribs
• B. Trachea
• C. Diaphragm
• D. Alveoli

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ribs. The ribs are part of the skeletal system, providing structure and protection to the thoracic cavity. The trachea, diaphragm, and alveoli are all essential components of the respiratory system. The trachea carries air to and from the lungs, the diaphragm aids in breathing by contracting and relaxing to change the volume of the thoracic cavity, and the alveoli are tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs in the lungs. Therefore, ribs do not play a direct role in the respiratory process and are not considered a part of the respiratory system.

4. Which hormone, produced by the pancreas, acts in opposition to insulin by increasing blood sugar levels?

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Glucagon is the correct answer. Produced by the pancreas, glucagon acts in opposition to insulin by increasing blood sugar levels. Glucagon promotes the breakdown of glycogen into glucose in the liver, leading to the release of glucose into the bloodstream. Insulin, on the other hand, lowers blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, not the pancreas, and is involved in stress response and metabolism. Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland and is primarily responsible for regulating metabolism.

5. Which orbital can hold a maximum of 8 electrons?

• A. s orbital
• B. p orbital
• C. d orbital
• D. f orbital

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the p orbital. Each p orbital can hold a maximum of 6 electrons (2 electrons in each of the 3 p orbitals), totaling 18 possible electrons when considering all three p orbitals. The s orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, the d orbital can hold a maximum of 10 electrons, and the f orbital can hold a maximum of 14 electrons. Therefore, the p orbital is the orbital that can hold a maximum of 8 electrons, making it the correct choice.

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