Nursing Elites

1. Where do nearly all of the gaseous exchanges between air and blood take place in the lungs?

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

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Nearly all gaseous exchanges between air and blood take place in the alveoli of the lungs. The walls of the alveoli are thin and surrounded by an extensive network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Oxygen from the air diffuses through the alveoli walls and into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide, a waste product, diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled out of the body. This process is essential for respiration and providing oxygen to the body's cells. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Pleura is the membrane surrounding the lungs, trachea is the windpipe that carries air to the lungs, and bronchioles are the smaller air passages in the lungs. However, the primary site for gaseous exchange is the alveoli due to their structure and function.

2. What is the function of the kidneys in the urinary system?

• A. To filter blood and remove waste
• B. To produce red blood cells
• C. To regulate blood pressure
• D. To absorb water

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'To filter blood and remove waste.' The kidneys play a crucial role in the urinary system by filtering blood to remove waste products and excess fluids, which are then excreted as urine. This process helps maintain the body's internal balance by regulating electrolyte levels and controlling blood pressure. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the kidneys do not produce red blood cells (bone marrow does), regulate blood pressure directly (although they indirectly influence it through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system), or absorb water (they regulate water balance but do not absorb water).

3. What is the primary role of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

• A. Carrying oxygen
• B. Carrying nutrients
• C. Carrying carbon dioxide
• D. Carrying waste products

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Carrying oxygen. Hemoglobin's primary function in red blood cells is to bind with oxygen in the lungs and transport it to the body's tissues and cells. This process is crucial for cellular respiration and the overall oxygenation of the body. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because hemoglobin primarily carries oxygen, not nutrients, carbon dioxide, or waste products.

4. Which organ system is primarily responsible for preventing water loss?

• A. The nervous system
• B. The integumentary system
• C. The lymphatic system
• D. The urinary system

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The integumentary system. The integumentary system, which includes the skin, is primarily responsible for preventing water loss from the body. The skin acts as a barrier that helps regulate moisture and prevent excessive water loss through a process known as transepidermal water loss. The nervous system (choice A) is responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body, the lymphatic system (choice C) is responsible for the immune response and fluid balance, and the urinary system (choice D) is responsible for filtering blood and producing urine, but they do not primarily prevent water loss like the integumentary system.

5. Which hormone is released by the pancreas to lower blood glucose levels?

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Insulin is the hormone released by the pancreas to lower blood glucose levels. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells, helping to decrease blood glucose levels and store excess glucose for energy or future use. Glucagon, on the other hand, raises blood glucose levels by promoting the breakdown of glycogen into glucose. Cortisol and somatostatin do not directly regulate blood glucose levels in the same manner as insulin and glucagon.

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