Nursing Elites

1. An uncharged atom has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 and a mass number of 14. How many protons does it have?

• A. 14
• B. 6
• C. 8
• D. 12

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B (6 protons). The electron configuration provided corresponds to the element carbon, which has 6 protons. The mass number does not affect the number of protons in an atom, so despite the mass number of 14, the atom still contains 6 protons. Choice A (14) is incorrect because the mass number does not determine the number of protons. Choices C (8) and D (12) are incorrect as they do not match the number of protons in a carbon atom.

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. Which hormone stimulates the release of calcium from bones and increases blood calcium levels?

• A. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• B. Calcitonin
• C. Growth hormone
• D. Testosterone

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the correct answer. PTH stimulates the release of calcium from bones, leading to increased blood calcium levels. It acts on the bones to release calcium into the bloodstream, facilitates the kidneys' reabsorption of calcium, and triggers vitamin D activation to boost calcium absorption from the intestines. Choice B, Calcitonin, is incorrect as it works in opposition to PTH by decreasing blood calcium levels through inhibiting calcium release from bones. Choices C and D, Growth hormone and Testosterone, are not directly involved in calcium homeostasis and do not regulate blood calcium levels through bone calcium release mechanisms.

4. What is the bottom number in a blood pressure reading?

• A. Diastolic pressure
• B. Systolic pressure
• C. Pulse rate
• D. Mean arterial pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Diastolic pressure. The bottom number in a blood pressure reading represents the diastolic pressure, which indicates the lowest pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats. This value is important in understanding the overall health of the cardiovascular system. Choice B, Systolic pressure, is the top number in a blood pressure reading and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting. Choice C, Pulse rate, refers to the number of times the heart beats in a minute. Choice D, Mean arterial pressure, is a calculated value using both systolic and diastolic pressures to provide an average pressure in the arteries during a cardiac cycle, but it is not the bottom number in a blood pressure reading.

5. What causes varicose veins to occur?

• A. Atherosclerosis.
• B. Incompetent valves.
• C. Loss of skin turgor.
• D. Loss of blood vessel elasticity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Varicose veins occur when the valves within the veins become incompetent, leading to blood pooling in the veins instead of being efficiently pumped back to the heart. This causes the veins to become enlarged, twisted, and visible under the skin. Factors such as genetics, aging, pregnancy, and prolonged standing or sitting can contribute to the development of incompetent valves and the resulting varicose veins. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in arteries, not veins, and does not directly cause varicose veins. Loss of skin turgor is related to skin elasticity and not a direct cause of varicose veins. Loss of blood vessel elasticity is a general term and does not specifically address the mechanism behind varicose veins, which is primarily due to incompetent valves.

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