Nursing Elites

1. What is the role of bile in digestion?

• A. To break down carbohydrates
• B. To emulsify fats
• C. To neutralize stomach acid
• D. To absorb proteins

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Bile emulsifies fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets for easier digestion.

2. Which of the following blood vessels carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?

• A. Pulmonary vein
• B. Pulmonary artery
• C. Aorta
• D. Vena cava

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pulmonary vein. The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart. It is essential to distinguish between the pulmonary vein (A) and the pulmonary artery (B) in this context. The pulmonary vein transports oxygenated blood, while the pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. The aorta (C) functions as the main artery that delivers oxygenated blood from the heart to the body's tissues, while the vena cava (D) returns deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart.

3. What is the function of the pituitary gland?

• A. Produces hormones that regulate growth and metabolism
• B. Filters blood and removes waste products
• C. Stores and releases bile
• D. Produces red blood cells

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Produces hormones that regulate growth and metabolism. The pituitary gland is often referred to as the 'master gland' because it produces and releases hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response. It does not filter blood or remove waste products (option B), store and release bile (option C), or produce red blood cells (option D). The pituitary gland's primary role is in hormone production and regulation, influencing many essential functions in the body.

4. Which part of the digestive system is primarily responsible for absorbing nutrients?

• A. Stomach
• B. Small intestine
• C. Esophagus
• D. Large intestine

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption in the digestive system. It is lined with specialized cells that facilitate the absorption of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals into the bloodstream for distribution throughout the body. While the stomach plays a role in digestion by breaking down food with acid and enzymes, the actual absorption of nutrients occurs mainly in the small intestine. The esophagus is responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach, but it does not absorb nutrients. The large intestine primarily absorbs water and electrolytes, not nutrients.

5. Which statement is true regarding the process of digestion?

• A. Digestion of starch begins in the mouth.
• B. Amylase is produced by the stomach to help break down food in the upper intestine.
• C. The di- and tri-saccharides produced in early digestion are absorbed through the intestinal wall.
• D. Proteases are responsible for breaking down starches.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The statement 'Digestion of starch begins in the mouth' is correct. Salivary amylase, an enzyme produced in the salivary glands, initiates the breakdown of starch into simpler sugars like maltose in the mouth before further digestion in the stomach. This initial breakdown of starch is crucial in the digestion of carbohydrates, marking the beginning of the digestive process. Choice B is incorrect because amylase is produced in the salivary glands, not the stomach. Choice C is incorrect because di- and tri-saccharides are further broken down into monosaccharides before absorption. Choice D is incorrect because proteases are enzymes that break down proteins, not starches.

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