Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary function of the spleen, an organ associated with the lymphatic system?

• A. Regulating blood sugar levels
• B. Filtering blood and destroying old red blood cells
• C. Producing digestive enzymes
• D. Secreting hormones

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The spleen is primarily responsible for filtering blood and destroying old or damaged red blood cells. It also aids in storing blood and producing specific types of white blood cells, contributing to maintaining blood quality and immune system function. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the spleen is not involved in regulating blood sugar levels, producing digestive enzymes, or secreting hormones. These functions are carried out by other organs in the body.

2. Which muscle is voluntary, striated, and found attached to bones?

• A. Smooth muscle
• B. Skeletal muscle
• C. Cardiac muscle
• D. Epithelial muscle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is both voluntary and striated, as well as attached to bones, allowing for movement. Smooth muscle, on the other hand, is involuntary and typically found in the walls of internal organs, controlling functions like digestion. Cardiac muscle is also striated, but it is involuntary and specifically found in the heart, responsible for cardiac contractions to pump blood. 'Epithelial muscle' is an incorrect term; epithelial tissue is a type of tissue that forms the linings of various body surfaces and structures, not a muscle type.

3. From an anterior view, which of the following vessels carries blood away from the heart?

• A. Left common carotid artery
• B. Pulmonary trunk
• C. Subclavian arteries
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'All of the above.' When viewed from an anterior perspective, the left common carotid artery, pulmonary trunk, and subclavian arteries all carry blood away from the heart. The left common carotid artery supplies oxygenated blood to the head and neck, the pulmonary trunk carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, and the subclavian arteries transport blood to the upper extremities. Therefore, all the vessels listed in the choices are correct as they function to carry blood away from the heart when viewed anteriorly.

4. Which hormone, produced by the adrenal glands, plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress, including the regulation of salt and water balance?

• A. Aldosterone
• B. Epinephrine
• C. Cortisol
• D. Insulin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Aldosterone is the correct answer. It is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress by regulating salt and water balance. Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to increase the reabsorption of sodium and water, helping to maintain blood pressure and electrolyte balance during stressful situations. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and cortisol are other hormones produced by the adrenal glands, but they have different functions in the stress response. Epinephrine primarily acts to increase heart rate and blood flow in response to stress, while cortisol helps regulate metabolism, immune response, and inflammation. Insulin, on the other hand, is produced by the pancreas and is involved in regulating blood sugar levels, not salt and water balance.

5. Homologous structures are those that:

• A. Have the same function but different origins
• B. Have different functions but the same origin
• C. Are similar in appearance and function due to shared ancestry
• D. Are identical in both appearance and function

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Homologous structures are defined as anatomical features that are similar in appearance and function due to shared ancestry. This means that these structures are inherited from a common ancestor and may have evolved to fulfill different functions in different species. Option A, which mentions structures with the same function but different origins, describes analogous structures, not homologous ones. Option B, which refers to structures with different functions but the same origin, actually characterizes vestigial structures. Option D, stating that structures are identical in appearance and function, does not necessarily imply homology; such structures could result from convergent evolution rather than shared ancestry. Understanding homologous structures provides insights into the evolutionary relationships between different species and supports the concept of common descent.

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