Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is a component of the immune system?

• A. Red blood cells
• B. White blood cells
• C. Platelets
• D. Plasma

Correct answer: B

Rationale: White blood cells are a crucial component of the immune system as they play a key role in fighting infections and foreign invaders. Red blood cells are primarily involved in oxygen transport, platelets are important for blood clotting, and plasma is the liquid component of blood that carries various substances but is not directly involved in the immune response.

2. Where does most of the chemical digestion take place?

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Most of the chemical digestion occurs in the small intestine. Enzymes in the small intestine break down nutrients into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body. The stomach plays a role in digestion by breaking down food mechanically and initiating some chemical digestion, but the majority of nutrient breakdown and absorption happens in the small intestine. The large intestine mainly absorbs water and salts, with little to no digestion taking place there. The esophagus is a muscular tube that helps move food from the mouth to the stomach and does not participate in digestion.

3. What is the primary hormone released by the parathyroid glands?

• A. Insulin
• B. Calcitonin
• C. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• D. Thyroxine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary hormone released by the parathyroid glands is parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the body by increasing calcium levels in the blood through various mechanisms, such as promoting calcium release from bones and increasing calcium absorption in the intestines. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and regulates blood sugar levels, calcitonin is produced by the thyroid gland and helps lower blood calcium levels, and thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they are not the primary hormone released by the parathyroid glands.

4. What are the microscopic units responsible for muscle contraction called?

• A. Neurons
• B. Myofibrils
• C. Tendons
• D. Sarcomeres

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Sarcomeres are the fundamental contractile units of skeletal muscles and are responsible for muscle contraction. They consist of actin and myosin filaments that slide past each other during muscle contraction. Neurons are responsible for transmitting signals to and from muscles but are not directly involved in muscle contraction. Myofibrils are composed of sarcomeres and are the structures within muscle cells where muscle contractions take place. Tendons are connective tissues that attach muscles to bones and are not directly involved in muscle contraction.

5. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting which neurotransmitter?

• A. Dopamine
• B. Acetylcholine
• C. Serotonin
• D. Glutamate

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in coordinating movement. The reduction of dopamine levels leads to the characteristic motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Choice B, acetylcholine, is involved in functions like muscle contraction and autonomic nervous system regulation but is not primarily affected in Parkinson's disease. Serotonin (Choice C) is involved in mood regulation and sleep, not the main neurotransmitter affected in Parkinson's disease. Glutamate (Choice D) is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and is not primarily implicated in Parkinson's disease pathophysiology.

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