Nursing Elites

1. Water is capable of dissolving many substances that organisms need to carry out life functions. Which of the properties of water listed below is responsible for its ability to dissolve important nutrients like ionic salt compounds?

• A. adhesion
• B. cohesion
• C. high specific heat
• D. high polarity

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The property of water that is responsible for its ability to dissolve important nutrients like ionic salt compounds is its high polarity. Water is a polar molecule with a positive and negative end, which allows it to attract and surround individual ions from salt compounds, causing them to dissociate and dissolve in water. This property makes water an excellent solvent for various substances necessary for life functions. Adhesion refers to the ability of water molecules to stick to other substances, cohesion is the attraction between water molecules themselves, and high specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of water. While these properties are important characteristics of water, they are not directly responsible for its ability to dissolve ionic salt compounds.

2. Which of the following is unique to covalent bonds?

• A. Most covalent bonds are formed between the elements H, F, N, and O.
• B. Covalent bonds are dependent on forming dipoles.
• C. Bonding electrons are shared between two or more atoms.
• D. Molecules with covalent bonds tend to have a crystalline solid structure.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Bonding electrons are shared between two or more atoms.' This statement is unique to covalent bonds. In covalent bonds, atoms share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, which leads to the formation of a bond. This sharing of electrons is a fundamental characteristic of covalent bonds and distinguishes them from other types of chemical bonds, such as ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred rather than shared. Choices A, B, and D do not represent unique characteristics of covalent bonds. Choice A describes some common elements involved in covalent bonds, choice B refers to the concept of dipoles, which can also exist in other types of bonds, and choice D describes a property of molecules (crystalline solid structure) that is not exclusive to covalent bonds.

3. What is surgically altered during a vasectomy?

• A. Vas deferens
• B. Glans penis
• C. Prostate
• D. Urethra

Correct answer: A

Rationale: During a vasectomy, the vas deferens is surgically altered or cut to prevent the transport of sperm from the testicles to the urethra. This procedure is a form of permanent male sterilization. The glans penis, prostate, and urethra are not surgically altered during a vasectomy. Therefore, the correct answer is the vas deferens (Choice A), as it is the structure specifically targeted and modified in this procedure. The glans penis (Choice B) is the sensitive tip of the penis, the prostate (Choice C) is a gland vital for semen production but not involved in a vasectomy, and the urethra (Choice D) is the tube that carries urine and semen but is not surgically altered in a vasectomy.

4. Which of the following is an example of an aromatic hydrocarbon?

• A. Ethane
• B. Benzene
• C. Propane
• D. Butene

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Benzene is indeed an example of an aromatic hydrocarbon. Aromatic hydrocarbons are characterized by having a cyclic structure with alternating single and double bonds (pi bonds). Benzene fits this description, making it aromatic. On the other hand, ethane, propane, and butene are aliphatic hydrocarbons, which do not have the distinct cyclic structure of aromatic hydrocarbons. Ethane, propane, and butene are aliphatic hydrocarbons, which contain only single bonds and are not cyclic in nature. Therefore, they are not examples of aromatic hydrocarbons.

5. Which process is characterized by nuclear fission?

• A. A heavy nucleus capturing a neutron and releasing energy
• B. The fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element
• C. A lighter element emitting an alpha particle through radioactive decay
• D. An electron being absorbed by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy nucleus, like uranium-235, captures a neutron, leading to its division into two lighter nuclei. This process releases a substantial amount of energy in the form of heat and gamma rays. It is utilized in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs due to its capacity to produce significant energy. Choices B, C, and D describe different nuclear processes: fusion of two nuclei to form a heavier element, emission of alpha particles from a lighter element through radioactive decay, and absorption of an electron by the nucleus with the release of a gamma ray, respectively. These processes are distinct from nuclear fission and do not involve the splitting of heavy nuclei into lighter ones.

Similar Questions