Nursing Elites

1. During swallowing, what is the role of the epiglottis, a small flap of cartilage located near the base of the tongue?

• A. Initiates the swallowing reflex
• B. Grinds food into smaller pieces
• C. Covers the trachea to prevent food aspiration
• D. Stores saliva for lubrication

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The epiglottis plays a crucial role during swallowing by covering the trachea to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway, which could lead to aspiration. By acting as a lid over the trachea, it ensures that food passes down the esophagus to the stomach, preventing it from entering the lungs. Choice A is incorrect as the swallowing reflex is a coordinated muscular action involving the tongue and throat muscles. Choice B is incorrect as grinding food into smaller pieces is primarily the function of the teeth and the initial stages of digestion. Choice D is incorrect as the storage of saliva for lubrication is not a function of the epiglottis, but rather involves salivary glands.

2. What accurately describes the Linnaean system of classification?

• A. It focuses on evolutionary relationships between organisms.
• B. It uses dichotomous keys for identification.
• C. It groups organisms based on shared functions.
• D. It emphasizes a hierarchical ranking system.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Linnaean system of classification, developed by Carl Linnaeus, is based on a hierarchical ranking system where organisms are grouped into categories based on shared characteristics. This system organizes organisms into a hierarchy of increasingly specific categories, from broad to narrow, such as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. The emphasis on a hierarchical ranking system allows for systematic organization and classification of a wide variety of organisms based on their similarities and differences, making it easier to study and understand the diversity of life forms. Choice A is incorrect because the Linnaean system is not primarily focused on evolutionary relationships but rather on shared characteristics for classification. Choice B is incorrect because dichotomous keys are tools used for identifying organisms, not the fundamental basis of the Linnaean system. Choice C is incorrect as the Linnaean system categorizes organisms based on shared characteristics, not shared functions.

3. Which structure in the skin is responsible for producing hair?

• A. Sudoriferous gland
• B. Sebaceous gland
• C. Melanocyte
• D. Hair follicle

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hair follicle. Hair follicles are structures in the skin responsible for producing hair. They are specialized structures that contain the hair root and the bulb, where hair growth originates. Sudoriferous glands produce sweat, sebaceous glands produce sebum, and melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives hair and skin their color. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because sudoriferous glands produce sweat, sebaceous glands produce sebum, and melanocytes produce melanin, respectively, but they are not responsible for producing hair.

4. During which developmental process does the first trimester of gestation roughly correspond?

• A. Embryogenesis
• B. Fertilization
• C. Meiosis
• D. Menstruation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Embryogenesis. The first trimester of gestation involves the process of embryogenesis, where the basic structures of the embryo are formed. This period is critical for the development of major organ systems and the establishment of the embryo's overall body plan. Fertilization occurs at the beginning of pregnancy when the sperm fertilizes the egg, marking the start of embryonic development. Meiosis is a cell division process that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells) with half the number of chromosomes. Menstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining when pregnancy does not occur.

5. T cells in the immune system can be categorized into different types. What type of T cell directly kills infected body cells?

• A. Helper T cells
• B. Cytotoxic T cells
• C. Regulatory T cells
• D. Memory T cells

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cytotoxic T cells directly kill infected body cells by recognizing specific antigens on the surface of infected cells and releasing cytotoxic substances to induce cell death, eliminating the infected cells. Helper T cells assist in coordinating the immune response, regulatory T cells help maintain immune tolerance, and memory T cells mount a faster and stronger response upon re-exposure to a previously encountered antigen. Therefore, the correct answer is cytotoxic T cells as they play a crucial role in directly targeting and destroying infected cells.

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