Nursing Elites

1. What is the main function of the epiglottis?

• A. To store bile
• B. To absorb nutrients
• C. To prevent food from entering the trachea
• D. To produce digestive enzymes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage located at the base of the tongue that covers the opening of the trachea during swallowing to prevent food and liquids from entering the airway. This action helps direct food and liquids into the esophagus, which leads to the stomach for digestion, while also protecting the respiratory system from potential blockages that could lead to choking or aspiration pneumonia. Options A, B, and D are incorrect as the epiglottis is not involved in storing bile, absorbing nutrients, or producing digestive enzymes. Understanding the role of the epiglottis in the swallowing process is crucial for maintaining proper respiratory and digestive functions.

2. What type of epithelium lines the inner surface of blood vessels?

• A. Simple squamous epithelium
• B. Simple columnar epithelium
• C. Stratified squamous epithelium
• D. Stratified columnar epithelium

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is simple squamous epithelium (Choice A). The inner surface of blood vessels is lined by a single layer of flattened cells, known as simple squamous epithelium. This epithelium type is thin and allows for efficient diffusion and filtration, which is essential for the exchange of gases and nutrients across blood vessel walls. Simple columnar epithelium (Choice B) is typically found in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract and is responsible for absorption and secretion. Stratified squamous epithelium (Choice C) is commonly found in the skin, providing protection against mechanical stress. Stratified columnar epithelium (Choice D) is not a characteristic epithelium type found in the lining of blood vessels, as it is more commonly present in specific regions of the body like parts of the male urethra and the conjunctiva of the eye.

3. What is the fatty sheath that insulates some nerve fibers and speeds up signal transmission called?

• A. Myelin sheath
• B. Dura mater
• C. Pia mater
• D. Arachnoid mater

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that surrounds and insulates some nerve fibers, facilitating the rapid transmission of signals along the nerve fibers. Choices B, C, and D (Dura mater, Pia mater, and Arachnoid mater) are layers of the meninges, protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The primary function of the meninges is to protect and support the central nervous system, not to insulate nerve fibers for signal transmission.

4. Which statement is true regarding the process of digestion?

• A. Digestion of starch begins in the mouth.
• B. Amylase is produced by the stomach to help break down food in the upper intestine.
• C. The di- and tri-saccharides produced in early digestion are absorbed through the intestinal wall.
• D. Proteases are responsible for breaking down starches.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The statement 'Digestion of starch begins in the mouth' is correct. Salivary amylase, an enzyme produced in the salivary glands, initiates the breakdown of starch into simpler sugars like maltose in the mouth before further digestion in the stomach. This initial breakdown of starch is crucial in the digestion of carbohydrates, marking the beginning of the digestive process. Choice B is incorrect because amylase is produced in the salivary glands, not the stomach. Choice C is incorrect because di- and tri-saccharides are further broken down into monosaccharides before absorption. Choice D is incorrect because proteases are enzymes that break down proteins, not starches.

5. How are kidney stones formed?

• A. Due to excess water not being reabsorbed
• B. When minerals crystallize in the urine
• C. When electrolytes become too concentrated
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Kidney stones are formed when minerals in the urine crystallize and stick together to form solid masses. Excess water not being reabsorbed (option A) does not directly contribute to kidney stone formation. Similarly, electrolytes becoming too concentrated (option C) is not a direct cause of kidney stone formation. The correct answer is B because the crystallization of minerals in the urine leads to the formation of kidney stones.

Similar Questions