Nursing Elites

1. How might vitamin D deficiency present?

• A. As bleeding gums
• B. As swollen extremities
• C. As red patches
• D. As crooked bones

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Vitamin D deficiency can present as crooked bones in children due to a condition called rickets. This is because vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium absorption and bone health. Inadequate levels of vitamin D can lead to soft and weak bones, resulting in skeletal deformities such as bow legs or knock knees. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as bleeding gums are more commonly associated with vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), swollen extremities could be a sign of various conditions like edema, and red patches are not typically a direct manifestation of vitamin D deficiency.

2. When the pulmonary valve and aortic valves are open, where can blood flow?

• A. Between the two ventricles of the heart
• B. From atrium to ventricle within the heart
• C. Between the heart and the rest of the body
• D. Between the atria in the heart

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When the pulmonary valve and aortic valves are open, blood can flow between the heart and the rest of the body. The pulmonary valve allows blood to flow from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation, while the aortic valve permits blood to flow from the left ventricle to the rest of the body for distribution of oxygen and nutrients. This circulation pathway ensures that oxygen-rich blood is pumped to the body tissues. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because when the pulmonary valve and aortic valves are open, blood is not flowing between the ventricles, from atrium to ventricle, or between the atria; instead, it is being pumped out of the heart to the lungs and the rest of the body.

3. What is the main function of white blood cells?

• A. To carry oxygen
• B. To fight infections
• C. To carry nutrients
• D. To remove waste products

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main function of white blood cells, also known as leukocytes, is to fight infections and foreign invaders to protect the body from harm. They play a crucial role in the immune system by identifying and destroying pathogens like bacteria and viruses, essential for maintaining the body's health and overall immunity. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as carrying oxygen is primarily done by red blood cells, carrying nutrients is a function of various body systems, and removing waste products is mainly the role of the kidneys and liver, not white blood cells.

4. Which hormone regulates the sleep-wake cycle?

• A. Melatonin
• B. Insulin
• C. Cortisol
• D. Thyroxine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, is the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Its secretion is influenced by light exposure, with levels typically rising in the evening to promote sleep and falling in the morning to encourage wakefulness. Insulin is involved in regulating blood sugar levels, not the sleep-wake cycle. Cortisol plays a role in the body's stress response and circadian rhythm but is not the primary hormone regulating sleep-wake cycles. Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism, not the sleep-wake cycle.

5. How do the intercostal muscles between the ribs assist with respiration?

• A. By protecting the delicate bronchioles and alveoli
• B. By signaling a decrease in intra-alveolar pressure
• C. By enlarging and reducing the space in the thorax
• D. By maintaining a medial separation between pleurae

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The intercostal muscles located between the ribs play a crucial role in respiration by aiding in the enlargement and reduction of the space in the thorax. During inspiration, these muscles contract, lifting the rib cage, which increases the volume of the thoracic cavity and allows the lungs to expand and fill with air. This process directly relates to the expansion of the thorax rather than protecting bronchioles and alveoli (Choice A), signaling intra-alveolar pressure changes (Choice B), or maintaining the separation between pleurae (Choice D). Therefore, the correct answer is C.

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