Nursing Elites

1. What is the scientific term for the study of genes and their role in disease?

• A. Molecular biology
• B. Biochemistry
• C. Evolutionary biology
• D. Genomic medicine

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Genomic medicine is the scientific discipline that specifically focuses on the study of genes and their involvement in disease processes. It seeks to understand how variations in an individual's genes can influence their predisposition to certain diseases or affect their response to treatment. This field plays a crucial role in personalized medicine by utilizing genetic information to tailor healthcare decisions and interventions to individual patients. Molecular biology, biochemistry, and evolutionary biology, while related to genetics in various ways, do not have the primary focus on the role of genes in disease as genomic medicine does.

2. Which part of the brain is responsible for processing vision?

• A. Occipital lobe
• B. Frontal lobe
• C. Temporal lobe
• D. Parietal lobe

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The occipital lobe is the part of the brain responsible for processing visual information. Located at the back of the brain, the occipital lobe contains the primary visual cortex, which plays a crucial role in interpreting visual stimuli received from the eyes. The frontal lobe is primarily involved in higher cognitive functions, decision-making, and motor control, not vision processing. The temporal lobe is responsible for auditory processing, memory, and emotion, not vision. The parietal lobe is involved in sensory integration, spatial awareness, and perception of stimuli, but not specifically for visual processing.

3. What is the bottom number in a blood pressure reading?

• A. Diastolic pressure
• B. Systolic pressure
• C. Pulse rate
• D. Mean arterial pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Diastolic pressure. The bottom number in a blood pressure reading represents the diastolic pressure, which indicates the lowest pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats. This value is important in understanding the overall health of the cardiovascular system. Choice B, Systolic pressure, is the top number in a blood pressure reading and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting. Choice C, Pulse rate, refers to the number of times the heart beats in a minute. Choice D, Mean arterial pressure, is a calculated value using both systolic and diastolic pressures to provide an average pressure in the arteries during a cardiac cycle, but it is not the bottom number in a blood pressure reading.

4. During embryonic development, most vertebrates exhibit structures called pharyngeal pouches. These pouches eventually develop into different structures in various vertebrate groups, such as the human jaw and inner ear. Pharyngeal pouches are an example of:

• A. Analogous structures with different evolutionary origins but similar functions
• B. Homologous structures with a common evolutionary origin but diverse functions
• C. Vestigial structures that no longer serve a vital function in some organisms
• D. Atavisms, the reappearance of a trait absent in recent generations

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pharyngeal pouches in vertebrates are an example of homologous structures because they share a common evolutionary origin. Despite developing into different structures in various vertebrate groups, such as the jaw and inner ear in humans, these structures originated from the same ancestral feature. This concept of homology highlights the evolutionary relationship between different species and how structures can be modified over time to serve different functions while retaining a common origin. Choice A is incorrect because analogous structures have similar functions but different evolutionary origins, which does not apply to pharyngeal pouches. Choice C is incorrect as vestigial structures are remnants of features that were functional in ancestors but have reduced or lost their original function, which is not the case for pharyngeal pouches. Choice D is incorrect because atavisms refer to the reappearance of traits absent in recent generations, which is not the characteristic of pharyngeal pouches.

5. What is kwashiorkor, a protein deficiency disease, characterized by?

• A. Muscle wasting
• B. Night blindness
• C. Scurvy
• D. Rickets

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Kwashiorkor is a severe acute malnutrition condition resulting from insufficient dietary protein intake. It is characterized by symptoms such as edema, skin lesions, an enlarged liver with fatty infiltrates, and notably, muscle wasting. Muscle wasting occurs as the body breaks down muscle tissue to obtain essential amino acids for vital functions. Night blindness (option B) is associated with vitamin A deficiency, scurvy (option C) results from a lack of vitamin C, and rickets (option D) is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate.

Similar Questions