Nursing Elites

1. What is the purpose of sodium bicarbonate when released into the lumen of the small intestine?

• A. It works to chemically digest fats in the chyme.
• B. It decreases the pH of the chyme to prevent harm to the intestine.
• C. It works to chemically digest proteins in the chyme.
• D. It increases the pH of the chyme to prevent harm to the intestine.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Sodium bicarbonate, when released into the lumen of the small intestine, functions to increase the pH of the acidic chyme coming from the stomach. This increase in pH helps neutralize the acidity of the chyme, creating a more optimal environment for the digestive enzymes in the small intestine to function properly. Maintaining a slightly basic pH in the small intestine is crucial for overall digestion and absorption of nutrients. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Sodium bicarbonate does not chemically digest fats or proteins in the chyme, and it does not decrease the pH of the chyme as it actually increases the pH to prevent harm to the intestine.

2. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans utilize a key property of positrons for medical imaging. What is this property?

• A. High mass
• B. Positive charge
• C. Extreme stability
• D. Identical behavior to electrons

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Positron emission tomography (PET) scans utilize the property of positrons having a positive charge. Positrons are the antimatter counterpart of electrons, having the same mass but opposite charge. When a positron collides with an electron, they annihilate each other, producing gamma rays that can be detected by the PET scanner to create images of the body's internal structures and functions. Choice A is incorrect because positrons have the same mass as electrons. Choice C is incorrect as positrons are not extremely stable due to their tendency to annihilate when they encounter electrons. Choice D is incorrect as positrons exhibit different behavior than electrons due to their opposite charges.

3. Where in the cell are proteins modified, sorted, and packaged for transport?

• A. Ribosomes
• B. Golgi apparatus
• C. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
• D. Lysosomes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Golgi apparatus is the cellular organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for transport within the cell or for secretion outside the cell. Ribosomes are not involved in modifying, sorting, or packaging proteins; they are responsible for protein synthesis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is primarily involved in protein synthesis and folding, rather than modification and packaging for transport. Lysosomes function in breaking down cellular waste rather than modifying, sorting, or packaging proteins for transport.

4. The van't Hoff factor (i) accounts for the number of particles a solute dissociates into in solution. For a compound that dissociates completely in water, i would be...

• A. 0
• B. Less than 1
• C. 1
• D. More than 1

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The van't Hoff factor (i) represents the number of particles a solute dissociates into in solution. For a compound that dissociates completely in water, i would be more than 1 because it breaks apart into more particles than the original compound. This is due to complete dissociation leading to an increase in the number of particles in solution, resulting in i being greater than 1. Choice A is incorrect as a compound that dissociates completely will not have an i value of 0. Choice B is incorrect because when a compound dissociates completely, the van't Hoff factor is not less than 1. Choice C is incorrect as a compound that dissociates completely will not have an i value of 1, but rather more than 1 due to the increased number of particles in solution.

5. The liver plays a vital role in digestion. What is one of the main functions of the liver in the digestive system?

• A. Physical breakdown of food
• B. Production of digestive enzymes
• C. Storage and processing of nutrients
• D. Elimination of waste products

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Storage and processing of nutrients. The liver plays a crucial role in processing nutrients absorbed from the small intestine, storing glycogen, vitamins, and minerals, and regulating blood sugar levels by releasing or storing glucose as needed. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the physical breakdown of food primarily occurs in the mouth and stomach, the production of digestive enzymes is mainly carried out by the pancreas and small intestine, and the elimination of waste products is primarily managed by the large intestine and kidneys, not the liver.

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