Nursing Elites

1. What is the name of the cartilage flap that covers the trachea during swallowing, preventing food from entering the airway?

• A. Epiglottis
• B. Glottis
• C. Larynx
• D. Pharynx

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Epiglottis. The epiglottis is a cartilage flap located at the base of the tongue that covers the trachea during swallowing. Its primary function is to prevent food and liquids from entering the airway and instead directs them towards the esophagus. The glottis (choice B) refers to the space between the vocal cords in the larynx. The larynx (choice C) is the voice box containing the vocal cords responsible for phonation. The pharynx (choice D) is the throat region connecting the mouth and the esophagus, playing a role in both digestion and respiration.

2. Which fibrous connective tissue connects a muscle to a bone, allowing movement at a joint?

• A. Tendon
• B. Ligament
• C. Cartilage
• D. Bursa

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Tendons, the correct answer, are fibrous connective tissues that connect muscles to bones, enabling movement at joints. They play a crucial role in transmitting the force generated by muscles to the bones, facilitating movement. Ligaments (option B) connect bone to bone, providing stability to joints. Cartilage (option C) is a flexible tissue that acts as a cushion, reducing friction between bones in joints. Bursae (option D) are fluid-filled sacs located near joints that help reduce friction between tissues such as tendons and bones.

3. What controls muscles by sending electrical impulses to the muscles?

• A. Blood vessels
• B. Nerves
• C. Hormones
• D. Neurons

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Nerves control muscles by transmitting electrical impulses that initiate muscle contractions. Blood vessels are responsible for transporting blood, not controlling muscles. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands to regulate bodily functions, not specifically controlling muscles. Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system that transmit signals, but nerves are the specific structures that control muscles by sending electrical impulses.

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

• A. Filtration of air
• B. Production of mucus
• C. Prevention of food entering the trachea
• D. Oxygen exchange in the alveoli

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary function of the epiglottis in the respiratory system is to prevent food from entering the trachea. During swallowing, the epiglottis covers the opening of the trachea, guiding food down the esophagus to the stomach and preventing it from entering the airway. This mechanism safeguards the respiratory system from foreign objects, ensuring proper air passage and avoiding potential choking hazards. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: A) Filtration of air is mainly performed by the nasal hairs and the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. B) Production of mucus is primarily carried out by the mucous glands in the respiratory system to trap particles and humidify the air. D) Oxygen exchange in the alveoli occurs in the lungs and is related to the process of respiration, not the function of the epiglottis.

5. Which organelle is responsible for packaging and secreting proteins into the extracellular space?

• A. Golgi apparatus
• B. Mitochondria
• C. Ribosomes
• D. Endoplasmic reticulum

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A) Golgi apparatus: The Golgi apparatus is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins into vesicles for secretion outside the cell or for use within the cell. It acts as a distribution and shipping department for the cell, ensuring proteins are properly processed and sent to their correct destinations like the extracellular space. Golgi apparatus is the correct answer because it directly handles the packaging and secretion of proteins. B) Mitochondria: Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell and are responsible for generating energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. They are not involved in packaging and secreting proteins into the extracellular space. C) Ribosomes: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, where they translate mRNA into proteins. They are not involved in packaging and secreting proteins into the extracellular space. D) Endoplasmic reticulum: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a role in protein synthesis and folding, but it is the rough ER specifically that is involved in synthesizing proteins that are then transported to the Golgi apparatus for further processing and packaging. The Golgi apparatus is primarily responsible for packaging and secreting proteins, making it the correct answer for this question.

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