Nursing Elites

1. Which white blood cell type is responsible for the initial attack on pathogens?

• A. Red blood cells
• B. Platelets
• C. Phagocytes
• D. Lymphocytes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Phagocytes are a type of white blood cell that is crucial in the initial attack on pathogens. These cells have the ability to engulf and digest foreign particles such as bacteria and viruses, thereby preventing infections. Red blood cells primarily function in oxygen transport, platelets are vital for blood clotting, and lymphocytes are involved in the immune response. However, phagocytes are specifically designed to provide the initial defense against pathogens by directly attacking and eliminating them.

2. 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.

3. Which of the following is the cardiac muscle layer that forms the bulk of the heart?

• A. Endocardium
• B. Epicardium
• C. Fibrous skeleton
• D. Myocardium

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Myocardium. The myocardium is the cardiac muscle layer that comprises the majority of the heart's muscle mass. It is responsible for the heart's contractions, allowing it to pump blood throughout the body. The endocardium is the innermost layer of the heart lining the chambers, while the epicardium is the outermost layer covering the heart. The fibrous skeleton provides structural support and serves as an attachment point for cardiac muscle fibers. Therefore, choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not represent the primary muscle layer of the heart.

4. Which of the following neurotransmitters slows down the activity of neurons to prevent overexcitation?

• A. Acetylcholine
• B. Dopamine
• C. GABA
• D. Serotonin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that slows down neuronal activity, helping to prevent overexcitation in the brain. It counterbalances the effects of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of neuronal activity in the brain. Acetylcholine (Choice A) is primarily an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in muscle movement and cognitive functions. Dopamine (Choice B) plays a role in reward-motivated behavior and motor control. Serotonin (Choice D) is involved in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep but is not primarily responsible for slowing down neuronal activity to prevent overexcitation.

5. What are glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream without ducts called?

• A. Exocrine glands
• B. Endocrine glands
• C. Apocrine glands
• D. Merocrine glands

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream without the use of ducts. This allows the hormones to be distributed throughout the body to target organs or tissues. Exocrine glands, on the contrary, release their secretions through ducts to the external environment or onto a surface, such as sweat glands. Apocrine and merocrine glands are both types of exocrine glands that release their secretions through different mechanisms. Apocrine glands release their secretions along with portions of the cell itself, while merocrine glands release their secretions through exocytosis without loss of cellular material.

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