Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary function of B cells in the immune system?

• A. Directly attacking and engulfing pathogens
• B. Producing antibodies specific to a pathogen
• C. Destroying infected body cells
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: B

Rationale: B cells are a type of white blood cell that primarily functions by producing antibodies specific to a pathogen. These antibodies play a crucial role in marking pathogens for destruction by other immune cells. While B cells are essential for the immune response, they do not directly attack and engulf pathogens or destroy infected body cells. These functions are carried out by other immune cells like macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. Therefore, the correct answer is B, as it accurately reflects the primary role of B cells in the immune system.

2. Which of the following organs is responsible for churning and mechanically breaking down food?

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, the stomach. The stomach is responsible for churning and mechanically breaking down food. It contains muscles that contract and relax to mix food with digestive juices, breaking it down into smaller particles. This mechanical digestion process helps prepare the food for further digestion and absorption in the small intestine. The small intestine is primarily responsible for the absorption of nutrients, not for mechanical digestion. The large intestine absorbs water and salts, and the esophagus is a muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach, not involved in churning or breaking down food.

3. What is glucagon, where is it produced, and what is its function?

• A. Produced in the liver, releases glucose
• B. Produced in the pancreas, raises blood sugar
• C. Produced in the pancreas, lowers blood sugar
• D. Produced in the adrenal glands, regulates stress response

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Glucagon is a hormone produced in the pancreas and functions to raise blood sugar levels. It does so by signaling the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. Therefore, the correct answer is B, 'Produced in the pancreas, raises blood sugar.' Choices A, C, and D describe functions or locations of other hormones, not glucagon. Glucagon is specifically released by alpha cells in the pancreas, making option B the correct choice.

4. What is the neural pathway that triggers a reflex action?

• A. Reflex loop
• B. Reflex arc
• C. Neural pathway
• D. Reflex reaction

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Reflex arc.' A reflex arc is the neural pathway that triggers an automatic, involuntary reflex action in response to a stimulus. It involves sensory neurons, interneurons in the spinal cord, and motor neurons, allowing for a rapid response without conscious thought. Choice A, 'Reflex loop,' is incorrect as the term commonly used is 'Reflex arc' to describe this neural pathway. Choice C, 'Neural pathway,' is too general and does not specifically refer to the pathway involved in reflex actions. Choice D, 'Reflex reaction,' is not the commonly accepted term to describe the neural pathway that triggers reflex actions.

5. Where does most of the chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients occur?

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

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The small intestine is the primary site for both chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients in the digestive system. The lining of the small intestine is equipped with villi and microvilli, which significantly increase the surface area available for absorption. Enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver play crucial roles in further breaking down food into absorbable molecules that can pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. While the stomach assists in mechanical breakdown and initial protein digestion, it is not the main site of nutrient absorption. The large intestine, on the other hand, mainly absorbs water and electrolytes from undigested food particles. The mouth aids in initial mechanical breakdown and some carbohydrate digestion, but the majority of nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine, making it the correct answer.

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