Nursing Elites

1. What is the main target organ for insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas?

• A. Liver
• B. Kidneys
• C. Muscles
• D. Brain

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The main target organ for insulin is muscles. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating glucose metabolism by promoting the uptake of glucose into muscle cells. This glucose can then be utilized for energy production or stored for later use. Therefore, muscles are the primary site where insulin exerts its effects on glucose uptake and utilization. The liver primarily responds to insulin by regulating glucose storage and release, but the main target for insulin-mediated glucose uptake is muscles. Kidneys are not a target organ for insulin action in glucose metabolism. The brain does not heavily rely on insulin for glucose uptake as it primarily uses glucose independently of insulin for energy production.

2. Which term refers to a position toward the head? Example: The hand is part of the superior extremity.

• A. Superior
• B. Inferior
• C. Medial
• D. Lateral

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Superior.' 'Superior' refers to a position toward the head, while 'inferior' is the term for a position toward the feet. In the given example, the hand belongs to the superior extremity, which includes structures closer to the head. 'Inferior' is incorrect as it refers to a position away from the head or toward the feet. 'Medial' describes a position closer to the midline of the body, while 'lateral' refers to a position farther away from the midline.

3. In the 18th century, women were more likely to die in childbirth compared to the 21st century. What is a possible explanation for why women are less likely to die in childbirth in the present age?

• A. Doctors are better equipped to perform cesarean sections.
• B. Doctors have more tools to monitor mothers during childbirth, enabling earlier detection of complications.
• C. Doctors practice good hand hygiene to prevent the transfer of germs and infections.
• D. All of the statements above provide reasonable explanations for the decrease in mortality during childbirth.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: All options are valid explanations for the decrease in maternal mortality during childbirth in modern times. Improved medical knowledge and technology have enabled doctors to perform cesarean sections more effectively, monitor mothers more closely for early detection of complications, and maintain better hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infections. Therefore, all the given statements collectively contribute to the reduction in maternal mortality rates in the 21st century.

4. How does the developing fetus primarily eliminate metabolic wastes?

• A. The developing fetus does not produce metabolic wastes.
• B. Fetal waste is excreted as feces, which pass into the mother's anus.
• C. Fetal waste is passed down the umbilical cord to the mother's circulatory system.
• D. Fetal waste is passed down the umbilical cord and leaves the mother's body via the vagina.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Metabolic wastes produced by the developing fetus are eliminated primarily by being passed down the umbilical cord to the mother's circulatory system. Once in the mother's blood, these wastes are then filtered and excreted by the mother's kidneys. Choice A is incorrect because the developing fetus does produce metabolic wastes. Choice B is incorrect as fetal waste does not pass into the mother's anus. Choice D is incorrect as fetal waste does not leave the mother's body via the vagina.

5. What is the significance of studying pedigrees in human genetics?

• A. Predicting the exact outcome of genetic crosses in humans.
• B. Tracing the inheritance of complex traits with multiple contributing genes.
• C. Identifying carriers of dominant genetic disorders.
• D. Determining the risk of acquiring a specific mutation de novo.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pedigrees are diagrams that show the relationships within a family and can be used to track the inheritance patterns of specific traits or diseases. While pedigrees can provide information on the inheritance of single gene disorders (such as identifying carriers of dominant genetic disorders, as mentioned in option C), their primary significance lies in studying complex traits with multiple contributing genes. These traits do not follow simple Mendelian inheritance patterns and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. By analyzing pedigrees, researchers can identify patterns of inheritance for complex traits, such as polygenic diseases or traits influenced by gene-environment interactions. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice as it captures the main significance of studying pedigrees in human genetics.

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