Nursing Elites

1. What is the process of converting ammonia, a byproduct of protein digestion, into a less toxic form?

• A. Deamination
• B. Transamination
• C. Decarboxylation
• D. Hydrolysis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Deamination is the correct answer. It is the process of removing an amino group from a molecule, like converting ammonia (NH3) into a less toxic form such as urea. Ammonia, a byproduct of protein digestion, must be converted into a less toxic form for excretion. Deamination is a crucial step that mainly occurs in the liver through the urea cycle. Transamination involves transferring an amino group from one molecule to another, not removing it as in deamination. Decarboxylation is the removal of a carboxyl group from a molecule, and hydrolysis is the breakdown of a compound by adding water.

2. A light ray travels from air (refractive index 1.00) into water (refractive index 1.33). What happens to its speed and direction?

• A. Speed increases, direction bends towards the normal.
• B. Speed increases, direction bends away from the normal.
• C. Speed decreases, direction bends towards the normal.
• D. Speed and direction remain unchanged.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a light ray travels from air (lower refractive index) to water (higher refractive index), its speed decreases due to the change in the medium. This is because light travels slower in denser mediums. As the light ray enters the denser medium, water in this case, it bends towards the normal (the line perpendicular to the surface of the water). This phenomenon is known as refraction. Choice A is incorrect as the speed of light decreases when entering a denser medium. Choice B is incorrect as the direction bends towards the normal, not away from it. Choice D is incorrect as the speed and direction of the light ray do change when moving from air to water.

3. What is the term for the pressure exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels?

• A. Heart rate
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Cardiac output
• D. Stroke volume

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Blood pressure is the term for the pressure exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and consists of two numbers: systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number). Heart rate (A) is the number of times the heart beats per minute, cardiac output (C) is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, and stroke volume (D) is the volume of blood pumped by the heart in one contraction. Understanding blood pressure is crucial in assessing cardiovascular health and the risk of various conditions like hypertension.

4. Which hormone, produced by the thyroid gland, regulates calcium levels in the blood by enhancing calcium absorption in the intestines and reducing calcium loss in the kidneys?

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Calcitonin is the hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates calcium levels in the blood. It enhances calcium absorption in the intestines and reduces calcium loss in the kidneys. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) operates oppositely to calcitonin by increasing calcium levels in the blood. Thyroxine is a thyroid gland hormone that primarily regulates metabolism, not calcium levels. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, is responsible for controlling blood sugar levels, not calcium levels. Therefore, the correct answer is Calcitonin as it specifically targets calcium regulation in the body.

5. Which hormone, produced by the pancreas, is involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels by inhibiting the release of insulin and promoting the release of glucose into the bloodstream?

• A. Insulin
• B. Glucagon
• C. Cortisol
• D. Somatostatin

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Somatostatin. Somatostatin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by inhibiting the release of insulin and promoting the release of glucose into the bloodstream. It acts as a counterbalance to insulin, preventing excess insulin secretion and ensuring the availability of glucose when needed. Therefore, somatostatin helps maintain blood sugar balance in the body. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Insulin is responsible for lowering blood sugar levels, while glucagon and cortisol have roles that differ from the functions described in the question.

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