Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary hormone released by the parathyroid glands?

• A. Insulin
• B. Calcitonin
• C. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• D. Thyroxine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary hormone released by the parathyroid glands is parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the body by increasing calcium levels in the blood through various mechanisms, such as promoting calcium release from bones and increasing calcium absorption in the intestines. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and regulates blood sugar levels, calcitonin is produced by the thyroid gland and helps lower blood calcium levels, and thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they are not the primary hormone released by the parathyroid glands.

2. Where would a nonpregnant patient with normal anatomy most commonly have pain in acute appendicitis?

• A. Right upper quadrant.
• B. Left upper quadrant.
• C. Right lower quadrant.
• D. Left lower quadrant.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In acute appendicitis, nonpregnant patients with normal anatomy commonly experience pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. The pain usually starts around the umbilicus or epigastric area and then migrates to the right lower quadrant as inflammation progresses in the appendix. This classic migration of pain is known as McBurney's point tenderness and is a key clinical feature in diagnosing appendicitis.

3. Which test is commonly used to assess kidney function?

• A. Complete blood count (CBC)
• B. Blood sugar test
• C. Urinalysis
• D. Creatinine clearance test

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The creatinine clearance test is commonly used to assess kidney function. Creatinine, a waste product produced by muscles, is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. The creatinine clearance test measures how efficiently the kidneys clear creatinine from the blood. Abnormal levels of creatinine in the blood can indicate kidney dysfunction, making this test crucial for evaluating kidney function. Choice A, a complete blood count (CBC), provides information about different blood cells and is not a specific test for kidney function. Choice B, a blood sugar test, assesses glucose levels in the blood and is not directly related to kidney function. Choice C, a urinalysis, evaluates the contents of urine and can provide information about kidney health but is not as specific for assessing kidney function as the creatinine clearance test.

4. Which digestive enzyme is primarily responsible for breaking down proteins?

• A. Pepsin
• B. Lipase
• C. Amylase
• D. Maltase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Pepsin. Pepsin is primarily responsible for breaking down proteins in the stomach. It is produced in an inactive form called pepsinogen, which becomes activated by the acidic environment in the stomach. Pepsin functions by breaking down proteins into smaller peptides, which are further digested by other enzymes in the small intestine. Lipase is responsible for breaking down fats, amylase for carbohydrates, and maltase for converting maltose into glucose. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are associated with breaking down fats, carbohydrates, and converting maltose, respectively, not proteins.

5. What is the Aufbau principle?

• A. The principle that electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy.
• B. The principle that electrons cannot occupy the same orbital with the same spin.
• C. The principle that the maximum number of electrons in an orbital is 2n^2, where n is the energy level of the orbital.
• D. The principle that the attractive force between an electron and the nucleus is inversely proportional to the distance between them.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The Aufbau principle states that electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy. This principle helps to explain the electron configuration of atoms and how electrons are distributed within the energy levels and sublevels of an atom. By following the Aufbau principle, one can determine the electron configuration of an atom by sequentially adding electrons to orbitals in order of their increasing energy levels, starting with the lowest energy level. Choice B is incorrect as it describes the Pauli Exclusion Principle, which states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same four quantum numbers. Choice C is incorrect as it refers to the formula for calculating the maximum number of electrons that can occupy an energy level. Choice D is incorrect as it relates to Coulomb's law, which describes the electrostatic interaction between charged particles.

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