Nursing Elites

1. What is the neural pathway that triggers a reflex action?

• A. Reflex loop
• B. Reflex arc
• C. Neural pathway
• D. Reflex reaction

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Reflex arc.' A reflex arc is the neural pathway that triggers an automatic, involuntary reflex action in response to a stimulus. It involves sensory neurons, interneurons in the spinal cord, and motor neurons, allowing for a rapid response without conscious thought. Choice A, 'Reflex loop,' is incorrect as the term commonly used is 'Reflex arc' to describe this neural pathway. Choice C, 'Neural pathway,' is too general and does not specifically refer to the pathway involved in reflex actions. Choice D, 'Reflex reaction,' is not the commonly accepted term to describe the neural pathway that triggers reflex actions.

2. When you push a book across a table, the book experiences an equal and opposite force from the table. Why doesn't the table move as well?

• A. The table is much heavier than the book.
• B. The force on the book acts in a different direction.
• C. The table has a much larger surface area, distributing the force over a wider area.
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The table is much heavier than the book, so it requires a much larger force to accelerate it. The book is lighter and easier to move, so the force applied to it causes it to move without significantly affecting the table due to the table's greater mass. Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, the force exerted on the book by the table is countered by an equal force exerted on the table by the book, but the table's greater mass resists movement. Choice B is incorrect because the forces are equal and opposite, acting in the same direction. Choice C is incorrect as the surface area does not affect the movement of the table in this scenario. Therefore, the correct answer is A, as the table's greater mass prevents it from moving easily when a force is applied.

3. How does AIDS impair the immune system?

• A. AIDS targets and destroys Helper T-Cells, preventing the activation of Cytotoxic T-Cells or B-Cells.
• B. IgE stimulates mast cells to release excessive histamine.
• C. IgE inhibits mast cells from releasing sufficient histamine.
• D. Helper T-Cells deceive the body into attacking itself.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: AIDS targets and destroys Helper T-Cells, which play a crucial role in coordinating the immune response. By affecting these cells, AIDS prevents the activation of other important immune cells like Cytotoxic T-Cells or B-Cells. This disruption in the immune system's communication and response mechanisms leads to immune system failure and increased vulnerability to infections. Choices B and C are incorrect because they refer to the role of IgE in allergic reactions, which is not directly related to how AIDS impairs the immune system. Choice D is also incorrect as Helper T-Cells being destroyed in AIDS is not about deceiving the body into attacking itself, but rather the direct impact on immune system function.

4. What is the primary function of the stomach?

• A. To store food and break it down into smaller pieces
• B. To absorb nutrients into the bloodstream
• C. To produce enzymes that assist in digesting food
• D. To eliminate waste products from the body

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The main function of the stomach is to store food, churn it, and break it down into smaller pieces through mechanical digestion. This process is facilitated by the mixing of food with gastric juices, including stomach acid. The mechanical breakdown in the stomach helps initiate the digestion of food before it progresses to the small intestine for further digestion and nutrient absorption. Absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream primarily occurs in the small intestine, not the stomach. Enzymes that aid in digesting food are primarily produced in the pancreas and small intestine, not in the stomach. The elimination of waste products from the body mainly occurs through the large intestine and rectum, not the stomach.

5. Which of the following is a dense, interconnected mass of nerve cells located outside the central nervous system?

• A. ganglion
• B. dendrite
• C. cranial nerve
• D. pons

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A ganglion is a dense, interconnected mass of nerve cells located outside the central nervous system. Ganglia serve as relay points where nerve cells communicate and integrate signals. They are found along peripheral nerves, processing sensory information and coordinating motor responses. Choice B, dendrite, refers to a part of a neuron that receives signals, not a mass of nerve cells. Choice C, cranial nerve, is a bundle of nerves that emerge from the brain, not a mass of nerve cells. Choice D, pons, is a part of the brainstem, which is within the central nervous system, not located outside of it.

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