what is the function of the respiratory system
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Nursing Elites

HESI A2

HESI A2 Practice Test Anatomy and Physiology

1. What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The primary function of the respiratory system is to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the bloodstream. Oxygen is taken in during inhalation and transported to cells, while carbon dioxide is removed during exhalation as a waste product of cellular metabolism. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the primary function of the respiratory system. Regulating body temperature is mainly controlled by the thermoregulatory system, fighting infections is a function of the immune system, and producing energy is primarily done by the metabolic system.

2. Which type of joint allows for rotational movement?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A pivot joint, such as the one found in the neck, allows for rotational movement, enabling the head to turn from side to side. This type of joint provides a specific axis of rotation, allowing for a turning motion around that axis. Choice A, the hinge joint, primarily allows movement in one plane, like the elbow joint's flexion and extension. Choice C, the ball and socket joint, allows for a wide range of motion in multiple directions, but it is not primarily known for rotational movement. Choice D, the saddle joint, allows for movements like bending, straightening, and limited rotation, but it is not primarily designed for rotational movement like the pivot joint.

3. What is the name of the structure that prevents food from entering the airway?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The epiglottis is the structure that prevents food from entering the airway. It acts as a lid over the trachea during swallowing, directing food to the esophagus instead of the windpipe (trachea). The trachea (Choice A) is the windpipe that allows air to pass into the lungs, the esophagus (Choice B) is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, and the diaphragm (Choice C) is a muscle involved in breathing and not in preventing food passage.

4. Which cellular structure is responsible for producing energy?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Mitochondria are the organelles responsible for producing energy in the cell through a process called cellular respiration. They are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell due to their role in generating ATP, the cell's energy currency. The nucleus is not involved in energy production but houses the cell's genetic material. Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, not energy production. The Golgi apparatus is involved in processing and packaging proteins for secretion, not energy production.

5. Which hormone is responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, regulates the sleep-wake cycle by responding to light and darkness in the environment. It plays a crucial role in signaling the body when it's time to sleep and wake up, helping to establish and maintain a healthy circadian rhythm. Thyroxine, Insulin, and Cortisol do not directly regulate the sleep-wake cycle, making them incorrect choices for this question.

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