Nursing Elites

1. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues. What is a potential cause of autoimmune diseases?

• A. Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals
• B. Exposure to environmental toxins
• C. Breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Autoimmune diseases result from a breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms, leading to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy body tissues. While deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals or exposure to environmental toxins can impact overall health, they are not direct causes of autoimmune diseases. Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals may weaken the immune system, making it more susceptible to various health issues but does not directly cause autoimmune diseases. Exposure to environmental toxins can trigger immune responses, but autoimmune diseases specifically stem from the breakdown of self-tolerance mechanisms within immune cells. Therefore, the correct answer is a breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms.

2. 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.

3. What is the term for an organism with two different alleles for a gene?

• A. Homozygous
• B. Heterozygous
• C. Dominant
• D. Recessive

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Homozygous refers to an organism with two identical alleles for a gene, either both dominant or both recessive. Heterozygous, the correct answer, refers to an organism with two different alleles for a gene, one dominant and one recessive. Dominant and recessive describe the relationship between alleles, where dominant alleles are expressed over recessive alleles in heterozygous individuals. Therefore, the term for an organism with two different alleles for a gene is 'heterozygous.'

4. What is the primary function of the liver related to digestion?

• A. Produces bile
• B. Stores bile
• C. Converts waste ammonia into urea
• D. Filters and detoxifies digestion byproducts

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The primary function of the liver related to digestion is to filter and detoxify byproducts of digestion, including toxins and metabolic waste products. While the liver does produce bile and convert waste ammonia into urea, these functions are not directly related to digestion. Storing bile is mainly done by the gallbladder, not the liver.

5. Where is the primary site for nutrient absorption from digested food in the human digestive system?

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption in the human digestive system. It is where the majority of digestion and absorption of nutrients from food occurs. The walls of the small intestine are lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area available for absorption. Nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals are absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and into the bloodstream to be transported to cells throughout the body for energy and other functions. The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and plays a role in swallowing, not nutrient absorption. The large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes from the remaining indigestible food matter after the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. The stomach mainly functions in the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food through muscular contractions and the secretion of digestive enzymes.

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