Nursing Elites

1. Radioactive isotopes are frequently used in medicine. What kind of half-life would a medical isotope probably have?

• A. Seconds-long
• B. Days-long
• C. Years-long
• D. Many years long

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Medical isotopes used in diagnosis and treatment need to have a relatively short half-life to minimize radiation exposure to patients. If the half-life were too long (such as many years) or even years-long, the radiation would persist for too long and could be harmful to the patient. Seconds-long half-lives would not provide enough time for the isotope to be effective. Days-long half-lives strike a balance between providing enough time for the isotope to be used effectively and minimizing radiation exposure.

2. What is the primary function of enzymes?

• A. To provide energy for reactions
• B. To speed up reactions
• C. To decrease activation energy
• D. To act as a catalyst

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Enzymes function to speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. They act as biological catalysts, providing an alternative pathway for the reaction to proceed more rapidly without being consumed in the process. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because enzymes do not provide energy for reactions (they do not generate energy), their primary function is not to decrease activation energy (though they do lower it), and while they act as catalysts, the primary function is to speed up reactions by lowering activation energy.

3. What distinguishes one allotrope from another?

• A. Arrangement of atoms
• B. Gram atomic mass
• C. Physical state
• D. Stability

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Allotropes are different forms of the same element that exist in the same physical state but have different structures. The arrangement of atoms is what distinguishes one allotrope from another, determining their unique properties and characteristics. Gram atomic mass (Choice B) is a constant value for a specific element and does not change between different allotropes. Physical state (Choice C) refers to whether a substance is a solid, liquid, or gas, which can be the same for different allotropes of an element. Stability (Choice D) can vary between different allotropes, but it is not what always differentiates one allotrope from another. Therefore, the correct answer is the arrangement of atoms, as it is the key factor that varies across different allotropes.

4. What are the two types of chemical bonding?

• A. Covalent & hydrogen
• B. Ionic & covalent
• C. Ionic & hydrogen
• D. Covalent & metallic

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ionic & covalent. Ionic bonding involves the transfer of electrons between atoms, resulting in the formation of positive and negative ions attracted to each other. Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons between atoms to achieve a stable electron configuration. Choice A is incorrect as hydrogen bonding is a type of intermolecular force, not a primary type of chemical bonding. Choice C is incorrect as hydrogen bonding is not a primary type of chemical bonding. Choice D is incorrect as metallic bonding involves the sharing of electrons in a 'sea of electrons' within a metal lattice, not covalent bonding.

5. Which element has the highest electronegativity?

• A. Fluorine
• B. Chlorine
• C. Nitrogen
• D. Oxygen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Fluorine has the highest electronegativity among the elements listed. Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond. Fluorine, being the most electronegative element on the periodic table, has the strongest ability to attract electrons towards itself compared to chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen. Therefore, fluorine is the correct answer. Chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen have lower electronegativities compared to fluorine, making them incorrect choices for the element with the highest electronegativity.

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