Nursing Elites

1. What term describes a series of muscle contractions that transports food down the digestive tract in a wave-like fashion?

• A. digestion
• B. deglutition
• C. defecation
• D. peristalsis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Peristalsis is the correct term for the series of muscle contractions that move food down the digestive tract in a wave-like manner. This process helps propel food through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, facilitating digestion and nutrient absorption. Digestion (Choice A) refers to the breakdown of food into smaller components, deglutition (Choice B) is the act of swallowing, and defecation (Choice C) is the elimination of waste from the body. Therefore, peristalsis is the most appropriate term to describe the described muscle contractions in the digestive system.

2. What type of bond is present in salt?

• A. Ionic
• B. Nonpolar covalent
• C. Polar covalent
• D. Peptide

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Ionic.' Ionic bonds are formed in salts through the transfer of electrons between atoms, leading to the attraction between positively and negatively charged ions. This results in a stable ionic compound, such as common table salt (sodium chloride). Nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, and peptide bonds are not typically found in salts. Nonpolar covalent bonds involve the equal sharing of electrons, polar covalent bonds involve unequal sharing of electrons, and peptide bonds are specific to proteins, not salts.

3. Which of the following is responsible for maintaining the body's circadian rhythm?

• A. Thyroid gland
• B. Pineal gland
• C. Pancreas
• D. Hypothalamus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The pineal gland is responsible for maintaining the body's circadian rhythm by producing melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and is essential in controlling the body's internal clock. The thyroid gland, although important for metabolism, is not directly involved in regulating circadian rhythms. The pancreas plays a role in blood sugar regulation through insulin production, not in controlling circadian rhythms. The hypothalamus is involved in regulating various bodily functions, but the pineal gland is specifically responsible for the circadian rhythm.

4. What are the phases of bacterial growth and infection?

• A. Lag, exponential, stationary, death
• B. Exponential, stationary, lag, death
• C. Stationary, exponential, lag, death
• D. Lag, stationary, exponential, death

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lag, exponential, stationary, death. The phases of bacterial growth start with the lag phase where bacteria acclimate to their environment, followed by the exponential phase characterized by rapid growth. This is then followed by the stationary phase where growth slows as resources deplete, and finally, the death phase where the population declines. Choice B is incorrect as it has the order of phases mixed up. Choice C is incorrect as it also has the order of phases mixed up. Choice D is incorrect as it has the stationary phase occurring before the exponential phase, which is inaccurate.

5. What determines the defining characteristic of an element?

• A. Neutrons in its nucleus
• B. Electrons surrounding the nucleus
• C. Protons in its nucleus
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The defining characteristic of an element is determined by the number of protons in its nucleus, which is referred to as the atomic number. The number of protons uniquely identifies an element. The correct answer is choice C because the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom defines its elemental identity, as different elements have a unique number of protons. Neutrons and electrons do play essential roles in the atom, but they do not determine the defining characteristic of an element. Neutrons contribute to the stability of the nucleus and isotopes of an element, while electrons are involved in chemical bonding and the reactivity of an atom.

Similar Questions