Nursing Elites

1. During normal breathing, which muscle is the primary driver of inhalation by contracting and flattening to increase the volume of the thoracic cavity?

• A. Diaphragm
• B. Intercostal muscles
• C. Abdominal muscles
• D. Pectoral muscles

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The diaphragm is the primary muscle responsible for inhalation during normal breathing. When it contracts, it flattens, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating a negative pressure that allows air to flow into the lungs. Intercostal muscles also play a role in expanding the chest cavity during inhalation, but the diaphragm is the main driver of the process. Abdominal muscles are primarily involved in exhalation by pushing the diaphragm upward to expel air from the lungs. Pectoral muscles are involved in movements of the arms and shoulders, not in breathing, making them incorrect choices for this question.

2. Where does gas exchange take place in the lungs?

• A. Bronchi
• B. Trachea
• C. Alveoli
• D. Pleura

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Gas exchange in the lungs occurs in the alveoli. Alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the alveoli to be exhaled. The bronchi are the main airways that branch off from the trachea, which is the windpipe connecting the larynx to the bronchi. The pleura is a membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the chest cavity, providing protection and lubrication for the lungs but not directly involved in gas exchange.

3. 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 number of protons in an atom is determined by the atomic number, which is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. The electron configuration given corresponds to carbon (C) with 6 protons. The atomic number of an element is the same as the number of protons in its nucleus, so in this case, the atom has 6 protons. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not correspond to the correct number of protons for an atom with the given electron configuration and mass number. Therefore, option B, 6 protons, is the correct answer.

4. Which of the following is NOT one of the major types of bones in the human body?

• A. Dense bone
• B. Long bone
• C. Short bone
• D. Irregular bone

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Dense bone'. Dense bone is not a classification of bone types in the human body. The major types of bones include long, short, flat, and irregular bones. Long bones, like the femur, are characterized by being longer than they are wide. Short bones, such as those in the wrist (carpals) and ankle (tarsals), are generally cube-shaped. Flat bones, like the skull or scapula, are thin and provide protection. Irregular bones, such as the vertebrae, have complex shapes that do not fit into the other categories.

5. When light interacts with a perfectly smooth surface, like a mirror, the dominant interaction is:

• A. Refraction
• B. Diffraction
• C. Total internal reflection
• D. Specular reflection

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When light interacts with a perfectly smooth surface like a mirror, the dominant interaction is specular reflection. Specular reflection occurs when light rays are reflected off a smooth surface at the same angle as the incident angle, resulting in a clear and sharp reflection. Refraction, which involves the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, is not the dominant interaction with a perfectly smooth surface. Diffraction, the bending of light waves around obstacles, is not the dominant interaction with smooth surfaces. Total internal reflection occurs when light is reflected back into a medium due to encountering a boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle, but it is not the dominant interaction on a perfectly smooth surface like a mirror.

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