Nursing Elites

1. How many neurons typically comprise a sensory pathway?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A sensory pathway generally consists of three neurons: a first-order neuron, a second-order neuron, and a third-order neuron. The first-order neuron carries sensory information from the periphery to the spinal cord or brainstem. The second-order neuron then transmits this information to the thalamus or cerebellum. Finally, the third-order neuron projects the sensory input to the cerebral cortex for processing and perception. Therefore, the correct answer is 3 (C). Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the typical structure of a sensory pathway involving three neurons.

2. Which of the following lists the structures found beneath the rib in descending order?

• A. Nerve → Artery → Vein
• B. Vein → Nerve → Artery
• C. Vein → Artery → Nerve
• D. Artery → Nerve → Vein

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct order of structures found beneath the rib in descending order is Vein → Artery → Nerve. This sequence is important to remember for medical procedures like inserting a chest tube to ensure precision and avoid complications. Choice A is incorrect because the nerve is not typically the structure closest to the rib. Choice B is incorrect as the vein is usually closer to the rib than the nerve. Choice D is incorrect as the artery is usually closer to the rib than the nerve.

3. What is the primary function of red blood cells?

• A. To transport nutrients
• B. To transport oxygen
• C. To fight infection
• D. To produce antibodies

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To transport oxygen. Red blood cells play a crucial role in carrying oxygen from the lungs to all the tissues and organs in the body. This oxygen transport is essential for cellular respiration, where oxygen is used in the production of energy. Red blood cells do not primarily transport nutrients, fight infection, or produce antibodies. Choice A is incorrect because while red blood cells do carry some nutrients, their primary function is to transport oxygen. Choice C is incorrect because immune cells, not red blood cells, are responsible for fighting infections. Choice D is incorrect as antibody production is mainly carried out by specialized white blood cells, not red blood cells.

4. When testing how quickly a rat dies based on the amount of poison it eats, which of the following is the independent variable and which is the dependent variable?

• A. How quickly the rat dies is the independent variable; the amount of poison is the dependent variable.
• B. The amount of poison is the independent variable; how quickly the rat dies is the dependent variable.
• C. Whether the rat eats the poison is the independent variable; how quickly the rat dies is the dependent variable.
• D. The cage the rat is kept in is the independent variable; the amount of poison is the dependent variable.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. In this experiment, the independent variable is the amount of poison because it is what is being manipulated by the researcher. The dependent variable is how quickly the rat dies, as it is the outcome that is being measured based on the different amounts of poison administered. Choice A is incorrect because the independent variable should be what is being manipulated or changed, which is the amount of poison in this case. Choice C is incorrect because whether the rat eats the poison is not being varied or controlled by the researcher. Choice D is incorrect because the cage the rat is kept in is not relevant to the relationship being studied between the amount of poison and the rat's survival time.

5. Most catalysts found in biological systems are which of the following?

• A. Special lipids called cofactors.
• B. Special proteins called enzymes.
• C. Special lipids called enzymes.
• D. Special proteins called cofactors.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Enzymes are special proteins that act as catalysts in biological systems. They accelerate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. Enzymes play a critical role in the regulation of metabolic pathways and are essential for various biological processes. While some enzymes may require cofactors for activity, the enzymes themselves are the catalysts in biological systems. Therefore, choice B, special proteins called enzymes, is the most suitable answer. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because enzymes, not lipids, are the primary catalysts in biological systems.

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