Nursing Elites

1. The average life expectancy at birth in the United States at the beginning of the 21st century was about 75 years. The average life expectancy at birth in the middle of the 19th century was only about 40 years. Which of the following factors are likely to have contributed to the longer life expectancy in the 21st century? (Select the one that does not apply)

• A. The human body has evolved to become more resilient to its environment.
• B. There have been numerous advances in medical technology and treatments.
• C. Higher standards of basic cleanliness have helped people avoid illness.
• D. The creation of vaccines has nearly eliminated certain diseases that were once deadly.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Medical advances, higher standards of cleanliness, and the creation of vaccines have all significantly contributed to the increase in life expectancy over time. While human evolution plays a role in adaptation to the environment over millennia, it is not a primary factor that has led to the substantial increase in life expectancy within a few centuries. The human body's evolution is a slow process that occurs over generations, while the advancements in medical technology, cleanliness, and vaccines have had a more immediate and direct impact on improving life expectancy.

2. What is the muscular tube that connects the outer surface to the cervix in a woman's birth canal referred to as?

• A. The uterus
• B. The cervix
• C. The vagina
• D. The ovaries

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'The vagina.' The muscular tube that connects the outer surface to the cervix in a woman's birth canal is called the vagina. The vagina serves as the passageway for menstrual flow, sexual intercourse, and childbirth. The cervix, not the uterus, connects the vagina to the uterus. The ovaries, on the other hand, are the organs responsible for producing eggs and female hormones, but they are not the muscular tube connecting the outer surface to the cervix in the birth canal.

3. Which cells myelinate neurons in the CNS?

• A. Schwann cells
• B. Astrocytes
• C. Microglia
• D. Oligodendrocytes

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes are responsible for myelinating neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Schwann cells, found in the peripheral nervous system, are responsible for myelinating neurons there. Astrocytes support and maintain the neuronal environment, while microglia function as immune cells in the CNS, participating in immune responses and cellular debris clearance. Therefore, choices A, B, and C are incorrect for myelination of CNS neurons.

4. Where does the maturation of T-cells and the production of T-cell receptors occur?

• A. Thymus
• B. Spleen
• C. Lymph nodes
• D. Bone marrow

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the Thymus. T-cells mature and develop their receptors in the thymus gland, making it a vital organ for the immune system. The thymus provides the necessary environment for T-cells to differentiate and acquire their specific receptors and functions, which are essential for their role in the adaptive immune response. The spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow are all important components of the immune system, but they do not primarily serve as sites for T-cell maturation and T-cell receptor production.

5. How does the human eye focus light?

• A. Cornea
• B. Iris
• C. Lens
• D. Retina

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The human eye focuses light by adjusting the shape of its lens. The lens changes shape to allow the eye to focus on objects at different distances, a process known as accommodation. The cornea is the transparent outer covering of the eye that helps to focus light but does not change shape like the lens. The iris controls the size of the pupil to regulate the amount of light entering the eye. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that receives and processes images but does not adjust the focus of light.

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