Nursing Elites

1. What is the main function of the epiglottis, a small flap of cartilage located above the larynx?

• A. To warm and humidify inhaled air
• B. To control the passage of food and air
• C. To produce sound vibrations for speech
• D. To sense the presence of foreign objects

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main function of the epiglottis is to control the passage of food and air. It acts as a cover for the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway. This mechanism ensures that food safely travels down the esophagus to the stomach, while air simultaneously enters the trachea and moves into the lungs for respiration. Choice A is incorrect as the warming and humidifying of inhaled air primarily occur in the nasal cavity. Choice C is incorrect because sound production for speech involves structures like the vocal cords rather than the epiglottis. Choice D is incorrect as sensing foreign objects is not a primary function of the epiglottis; instead, this role is typically associated with sensory receptors in the respiratory tract.

2. What is the term for the inflammation of the airways in the lungs, often causing wheezing and difficulty breathing?

• A. Pneumonia
• B. Emphysema
• C. Asthma
• D. Pleurisy

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation of the airways in the lungs, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, leading to symptoms like fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by damage to the air sacs in the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath and a chronic cough. Pleurisy, on the other hand, is inflammation of the lining around the lungs, causing chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing. Therefore, the correct term for the inflammation of the airways in the lungs with symptoms of wheezing and difficulty breathing is Asthma.

3. What is the role of the pancreas in the digestive system?

• A. To store bile
• B. To secrete digestive enzymes
• C. To digest proteins
• D. To absorb nutrients

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To secrete digestive enzymes.' The pancreas plays a crucial role in the digestive system by secreting digestive enzymes that aid in breaking down food in the small intestine. These enzymes help in the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, facilitating the absorption of nutrients from the digested food. Choice A is incorrect because the pancreas is not responsible for storing bile; the gallbladder stores bile. Choice C is incorrect because the pancreas secretes enzymes for protein digestion but does not digest proteins itself. Choice D is incorrect as the absorption of nutrients primarily occurs in the small intestine, not in the pancreas.

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

• A. To digest food
• B. To transport nutrients
• C. To exchange gases
• D. To regulate body temperature

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: To exchange gases. The primary function of the respiratory system is to facilitate the exchange of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the body and the environment. This process is essential for cellular respiration, where oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is removed. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Digesting food is primarily the function of the digestive system, transporting nutrients is the role of the circulatory system, and regulating body temperature is primarily managed by the integumentary system and the nervous system, not the respiratory system.

5. Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:

• A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
• B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
• C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
• D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.

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