Nursing Elites

1. What is the name of the master gland that regulates the function of many other endocrine glands?

• A. Thyroid gland
• B. Pituitary gland
• C. Hypothalamus
• D. Adrenal gland

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The pituitary gland is commonly referred to as the master gland because it controls the functions of numerous other endocrine glands in the body. It secretes various hormones that are essential for regulating processes like growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response. The thyroid gland (Choice A) primarily regulates metabolism and does not oversee other endocrine glands. The hypothalamus (Choice C) plays a role in regulating the pituitary gland but is not the master gland. The adrenal gland (Choice D) produces hormones related to stress response but is not considered the master gland that regulates other endocrine glands.

2. What happens to the potential energy of an object as it falls freely near the Earth's surface?

• A. Potential energy decreases
• B. Potential energy increases
• C. Potential energy remains constant
• D. Potential energy becomes zero

Correct answer: A

Rationale: As an object falls freely near the Earth's surface, its potential energy decreases. This decrease occurs because the gravitational potential energy is being converted into kinetic energy as the object accelerates due to gravity. According to the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant in the absence of non-conservative forces like air resistance. Choice B ('Potential energy increases') is incorrect because the object's potential energy is being converted into kinetic energy, leading to a decrease. Choice C ('Potential energy remains constant') is incorrect as the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy results in a decrease in potential energy. Choice D ('Potential energy becomes zero') is incorrect because potential energy is not reduced to zero but is transformed into kinetic energy as the object falls.

3. Which of the following is an effect of high blood pressure?

• A. Smoking
• B. Excessive dietary salt
• C. Renal vessel damage
• D. Older age

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Renal vessel damage. High blood pressure can lead to damage in blood vessels throughout the body, including the kidneys. When blood vessels in the kidneys are affected, it can impair kidney function and potentially lead to kidney disease. Smoking (Choice A) and excessive dietary salt (Choice B) can contribute to high blood pressure but are not direct effects of high blood pressure itself. Older age (Choice D) is a risk factor for developing high blood pressure but is not a direct effect of high blood pressure.

4. What is the smallest unit that can encode for a trait?

• A. A codon
• B. A gene
• C. A nucleotide
• D. A chromosome

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B - a gene. Genes are the smallest units that can encode for a trait as they contain the specific instructions for producing a particular characteristic or protein. While codons are sequences of nucleotides that code for specific amino acids in a protein, they are not the smallest unit that encodes for a trait. Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, and chromosomes are made up of DNA and proteins, containing many genes.

5. What is the main function of calcitonin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland?

• A. Stimulate metabolism and heat production
• B. Increase calcium absorption from the intestines
• C. Enhance bone growth and development
• D. Lower blood calcium levels

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that primarily functions to lower blood calcium levels. It achieves this by inhibiting bone breakdown and promoting calcium excretion by the kidneys. Therefore, the correct answer is D as it reflects the main role of calcitonin in calcium homeostasis. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not align with the primary function of calcitonin. Calcitonin does not stimulate metabolism and heat production (Choice A), increase calcium absorption from the intestines (Choice B), or enhance bone growth and development (Choice C).

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