Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary function of the small intestine in the digestive system?

• A. To secrete digestive enzymes
• B. To absorb nutrients
• C. To break down food
• D. To absorb water

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To absorb nutrients. The small intestine's main role in the digestive system is to absorb nutrients from digested food. It has specialized structures, such as villi and microvilli, that increase its surface area for efficient absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. Choice A is incorrect because the small intestine does not primarily secrete digestive enzymes; that role is mainly carried out by the pancreas and other digestive organs. Choice C is incorrect because the small intestine primarily absorbs nutrients rather than breaking down food. Choice D is incorrect because the absorption of water primarily occurs in the large intestine, not the small intestine.

2. Which chamber of the heart is the strongest and largest?

• A. Left atrium
• B. Right atrium
• C. Right ventricle
• D. Left ventricle

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The left ventricle is the largest and most powerful chamber of the heart. It receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium and pumps it out to the body through the aorta, providing the body's tissues with vital oxygen and nutrients. The left atrium primarily acts as a receiving chamber for oxygenated blood from the lungs. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body, while the right ventricle pumps this blood to the lungs for oxygenation. Therefore, the correct answer is the left ventricle, as it is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body.

3. Which part of the brain controls involuntary actions such as breathing and heart rate?

• A. Cerebrum
• B. Cerebellum
• C. Medulla oblongata
• D. Hypothalamus

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The medulla oblongata, located at the base of the brainstem, controls essential involuntary actions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It plays a crucial role in maintaining vital functions necessary for survival. The cerebrum is responsible for voluntary actions, conscious thought, and sensory processing, making it an incorrect choice. The cerebellum primarily coordinates movement, balance, and posture, not involuntary actions like breathing and heart rate. The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, thirst, hunger, and controls the endocrine system, but it is not directly responsible for controlling breathing and heart rate.

4. Which type of muscle tissue is voluntary?

• A. Cardiac muscle
• B. Skeletal muscle
• C. Smooth muscle
• D. Striated muscle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is a type of voluntary muscle tissue, allowing conscious control over its movement. Unlike smooth and cardiac muscle, which are involuntary, skeletal muscle is under direct voluntary control. Cardiac muscle (choice A) is involuntary and found in the heart. Smooth muscle (choice C) is also involuntary and found in the walls of internal organs. While skeletal muscle is striated (contains stripes), choice D is not the best answer as it does not specifically address the voluntary nature of skeletal muscle.

5. How does the skeletal system work with the nervous system?

• A. The bones transmit signals about body position to the brain.
• B. Pain nerves within bones notify the brain of injuries.
• C. The vertebrae of the spine protect the spinal cord.
• D. Bone marrow generates and houses nerve cells.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The skeletal system collaborates with the nervous system by providing protection and support for critical nervous system components. The vertebrae of the spine play a crucial role in safeguarding the spinal cord, a key component of the nervous system responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the body. Protecting the spinal cord is essential to prevent neurological complications. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because while bones do play a role in body position and can sense pain, the primary focus of the skeletal system's interaction with the nervous system is to protect vital components like the spinal cord, rather than generating nerve cells.

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