Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary function of the small intestine?

• A. To absorb water
• B. To absorb nutrients
• C. To store waste
• D. To produce enzymes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "To absorb nutrients." The small intestine's primary function is to absorb nutrients from digested food. It plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, which are essential for the body's functions and energy production. Choice A, "To absorb water," is incorrect because the absorption of water primarily occurs in the large intestine. Choice C, "To store waste," is incorrect as waste is stored in the large intestine before elimination. Choice D, "To produce enzymes," is incorrect because while the small intestine does receive enzymes from other organs to aid in digestion, its primary role is not enzyme production.

2. What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

• A. Mitosis produces haploid cells, while meiosis produces diploid cells
• B. Mitosis involves crossing over, while meiosis does not.
• C. Mitosis results in four daughter cells, while meiosis results in two
• D. Mitosis is responsible for sexual reproduction, while meiosis is responsible for asexual reproduction.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: - Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Therefore, mitosis results in two daughter cells. - Meiosis is a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This reduction in chromosome number is essential for sexual reproduction. - Option A is incorrect because mitosis produces diploid cells (cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell), while meiosis produces haploid cells (cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell). - Option B is incorrect because crossing over, the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes, occurs during meiosis and not during mitosis. - Option D is incorrect because mitosis is not responsible for sexual reproduction; it is a process of asexual reproduction and

3. The average life expectancy at birth in the United States at the beginning of the 21st century was about 75 years. The average life expectancy at birth in the middle of the 19th century was only about 40 years. Which of the following factors are likely to have contributed to the longer life expectancy in the 21st century? (Select the one that does not apply)

• A. The human body has evolved to become more resilient to its environment.
• B. There have been numerous advances in medical technology and treatments.
• C. Higher standards of basic cleanliness have helped people avoid illness.
• D. The creation of vaccines has nearly eliminated certain diseases that were once deadly.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Medical advances, higher standards of cleanliness, and the creation of vaccines have all significantly contributed to the increase in life expectancy over time. While human evolution plays a role in adaptation to the environment over millennia, it is not a primary factor that has led to the substantial increase in life expectancy within a few centuries. The human body's evolution is a slow process that occurs over generations, while the advancements in medical technology, cleanliness, and vaccines have had a more immediate and direct impact on improving life expectancy.

4. What are the tiny contractile units within muscle cells called?

• A. Myocytes
• B. Myofibrils
• C. Sarcomeres
• D. Tendons

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Sarcomeres are the smallest contractile units within muscle cells. They consist of overlapping filaments of actin and myosin proteins, which interact to produce muscle contractions. Myocytes are the entire muscle cells, myofibrils are bundles of protein filaments found within muscle cells, and tendons are tough connective tissues that connect muscles to bones. Therefore, sarcomeres specifically represent the contractile units responsible for muscle contraction, making them the correct answer in this context.

5. What is the purpose of an electrocardiogram?

• A. Indicate the rate of blood flow
• B. Display the heart's rate and rhythm
• C. Identify a person's blood group type
• D. Determine cell type in a blood sample

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is used to measure and display the heart's rate and rhythm. It provides valuable information about the electrical activity of the heart, allowing healthcare providers to assess the heart's health, detect abnormalities in the heart's rhythm, and diagnose various cardiac conditions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect because an ECG does not indicate the rate of blood flow but rather focuses on the heart's electrical activity. Choice C is incorrect because identifying a person's blood group type is typically done through blood typing tests, not ECG. Choice D is incorrect because determining cell type in a blood sample is unrelated to the purpose of an ECG.

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