Nursing Elites

1. The adrenal cortex produces a group of steroid hormones called corticosteroids. What is a MAJOR function of corticosteroids?

• A. Regulate insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels
• B. Control blood pressure and electrolyte balance
• C. Stimulate the immune system and inflammatory response
• D. Promote growth and development during puberty

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Corticosteroids, produced by the adrenal cortex, primarily function to control blood pressure and electrolyte balance. One of the key corticosteroids, aldosterone, plays a crucial role in regulating sodium and potassium levels in the body. This regulation is essential for maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because corticosteroids do not primarily regulate insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels, stimulate the immune system and inflammatory response, or promote growth and development during puberty. While corticosteroids can have effects on insulin sensitivity, immune response, and growth, their major role is in maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte balance.

2. Where does bile, a substance that aids in digesting fats, originate from?

• A. Stomach
• B. Pancreas
• C. Liver
• D. Gallbladder

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Bile is produced by the liver to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats. The liver produces bile, which is then stored and concentrated in the gallbladder before being released into the small intestine to facilitate fat digestion. The stomach (option A) is responsible for the initial digestion of food through gastric juices but does not produce bile. The pancreas (option B) secretes digestive enzymes like lipase to further break down fats in the small intestine but does not produce bile. The gallbladder (option D) stores and concentrates bile but does not produce it.

3. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood sugar levels?

• A. Glucagon
• B. Insulin
• C. Adrenaline
• D. Cortisol

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Insulin is the hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar levels. It is produced by the pancreas and facilitates the entry of glucose into cells, thereby reducing blood sugar levels. Glucagon, adrenaline, and cortisol have roles in increasing blood sugar levels through various mechanisms. Glucagon raises blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose, adrenaline increases blood sugar in fight-or-flight responses, and cortisol raises blood sugar levels as part of the stress response. Therefore, in the context of lowering blood sugar levels, insulin is the correct answer.

4. Which of the following chambers of the heart receives blood returning from the lungs during pulmonary circulation?

• A. left atrium
• B. right atrium
• C. left ventricle
• D. right ventricle

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, the left atrium. During pulmonary circulation, oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the heart and enters the left atrium through the pulmonary veins. The left atrium then contracts, pushing this oxygen-rich blood into the left ventricle. The left ventricle subsequently pumps this oxygenated blood out to the rest of the body through the aorta. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body, the left ventricle receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium, and the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, respectively.

5. In a chemical reaction, the total amount of:

• A. Matter remains the same
• B. Matter increases
• C. Matter decreases
• D. Energy remains the same

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The Law of Conservation of Mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, only rearranged. This principle implies that the total amount of matter before and after a chemical reaction must remain constant, supporting the correct answer choice A. Choice B is incorrect because the total amount of matter does not increase in a chemical reaction; it is conserved. Choice C is incorrect as the total amount of matter does not decrease in a chemical reaction; it is conserved. Choice D is incorrect since the conservation of energy is a different principle and does not directly relate to the total amount of matter in a chemical reaction.

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