Nursing Elites

1. What mineral is essential for muscle function and can cause cramps if deficient?

• A. Sodium
• B. Calcium
• C. Potassium
• D. Magnesium

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Potassium is essential for muscle function, including muscle contraction. A deficiency in potassium can lead to muscle weakness and cramps. While sodium, calcium, and magnesium are also important minerals for muscle function, potassium is specifically known for its role in preventing muscle cramps by regulating muscle contractions and nerve signals.

2. Which deadly disease was eliminated through an intensive vaccination program?

• A. AIDS
• B. Smallpox
• C. Diabetes type 1
• D. Rheumatoid arthritis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Smallpox was eradicated globally through an intensive vaccination program. The World Health Organization (WHO) led a successful global campaign to vaccinate people against smallpox, ultimately leading to its eradication in 1980. AIDS, diabetes type 1, and rheumatoid arthritis are serious conditions, but they were not eliminated through vaccination programs like smallpox. Therefore, the correct answer is B, Smallpox. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and remains a significant global health issue. Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells, leading to high blood sugar levels. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that primarily affects the joints, causing inflammation and pain.

3. Which structure in the female reproductive system is responsible for producing eggs (ova)?

• A. Fallopian tubes
• B. Ovaries
• C. Uterus
• D. Vagina

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the ovaries. Ovaries are the primary reproductive organs in females responsible for producing eggs (ova) through a process known as oogenesis. Ova are released from the ovaries during ovulation and can be fertilized by sperm in the fallopian tubes. The uterus is where a fertilized egg implants and develops into a fetus, while the vagina serves as the birth canal and a site for sexual intercourse. Fallopian tubes are responsible for transporting eggs from the ovaries to the uterus and are the site where fertilization typically occurs. Therefore, while important for the reproductive process, the fallopian tubes do not produce eggs.

4. 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.

5. What is the ultimate end product of glucose breakdown in glycolysis?

• A. ATP
• B. NADPH
• C. Pyruvic acid
• D. Oxygen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The ultimate end product of glucose breakdown in glycolysis is pyruvic acid. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvic acid through a series of enzymatic reactions. ATP is produced as an energy carrier during glycolysis, but it is not the final end product. NADPH is not a direct product of glycolysis; it is mainly produced in the pentose phosphate pathway. Oxygen is not a product of glycolysis but is used as an electron acceptor in the electron transport chain of cellular respiration.

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