Nursing Elites

1. What is the function of the epiglottis?

• A. Produces saliva
• B. Senses taste
• C. Prevents food from entering the windpipe
• D. Filters blood

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage located at the base of the tongue that covers the opening of the windpipe (trachea) during swallowing to prevent food and liquids from entering the airway. This action ensures that food and liquids are directed to the esophagus and down into the stomach, rather than entering the respiratory system, which could lead to choking or aspiration pneumonia. The other options (A) Produces saliva, (B) Senses taste, and (D) Filters blood are functions of other structures in the body and are not related to the role of the epiglottis.

2. What is the Pauli exclusion principle?

• A. The principle that electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy.
• B. The principle that electrons cannot be in the same orbital with the same spin.
• C. The principle that the maximum number of electrons in an orbital is 2n^2, where n is the energy level of the orbital.
• D. The principle that the attractive force between an electron and the nucleus is inversely proportional to the distance between them.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers. This means that electrons in the same orbital must have opposite spins, which is why they cannot be in the same orbital with the same spin. Option A refers to the Aufbau principle, option C refers to the maximum number of electrons in an orbital based on the formula 2n^2, and option D refers to Coulomb's law, which describes the electrostatic force between charged particles.

3. 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: The correct answer is B: 'Positive charge.' Positron emission tomography (PET) scans rely on the fact that positrons are positively charged particles. When a positron is emitted during radioactive decay, it quickly collides with an electron, resulting in annihilation and the release of two gamma rays in opposite directions. These gamma rays are detected by the PET scanner to create detailed images of the body's internal organs and tissues. The positive charge of positrons is crucial for this process to occur, making option B the correct choice.

4. Bile, a yellowish-green fluid, is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine during digestion. What is the primary function of bile in digestion?

• A. Break down carbohydrates
• B. Break down proteins
• C. Emulsify fats
• D. Neutralize stomach acid

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary function of bile in digestion is to emulsify fats. Bile contains bile salts that help break down large fat globules into smaller droplets, which increases the surface area for enzymes to work on and aids in the absorption of fats in the small intestine. This process is essential for the digestion and absorption of dietary fats. Bile does not directly break down carbohydrates or proteins, and it is not involved in neutralizing stomach acid, making option C the correct answer.

5. Which sentence avoids a comma splice?

• A. The wind howled, the branches swayed, and rain lashed against the windows.
• B. He packed his bags, he checked the weather forecast, and then hit the road.
• C. The movie was entertaining, it was also thought-provoking.
• D. Tired and hungry, she stopped for a quick bite at the cafe.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Option C uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, avoiding a comma splice.

6. How does RNA polymerase differ from DNA polymerase?

• A. Both enzymes are identical in function and structure.
• B. RNA polymerase does not require a primer to initiate RNA synthesis.
• C. RNA polymerase can synthesize both RNA and DNA.
• D. RNA polymerase can only synthesize RNA, unlike DNA polymerase.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: A) This statement is incorrect. RNA polymerase and DNA polymerase are not identical in function and structure. They have different roles in the cell. B) This statement is correct. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase does not require a primer to initiate RNA synthesis. RNA polymerase can start the synthesis of RNA de novo. C) This statement is incorrect. RNA polymerase is specialized for synthesizing RNA, not DNA. DNA polymerase is responsible for synthesizing DNA. D) This statement is correct. RNA polymerase can only synthesize RNA, while DNA polymerase is responsible for synthesizing DNA.

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