Nursing Elites

1. Which hormone is produced by the pancreas to lower blood sugar levels?

• A. Glucagon
• B. Insulin
• C. Adrenaline
• D. Melatonin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and plays a crucial role in lowering blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production or storage. Glucagon, which is also produced by the pancreas, functions to increase blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of stored glucose. Adrenaline, produced by the adrenal glands, is involved in the fight-or-flight response and does not directly regulate blood sugar levels. Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, primarily regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is not involved in blood sugar level control.

2. What is the primary function of the atrioventricular (AV) node within the heart?

• A. Generate the electrical impulse for contraction (pacemaker function)
• B. Transmit the electrical impulse from the atria to the ventricles, regulating the timing of contraction.
• C. Increase blood pressure within the ventricles during systole.
• D. Separate oxygenated and deoxygenated blood flow in the heart.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Transmit the electrical impulse from the atria to the ventricles, regulating the timing of contraction. The primary function of the atrioventricular (AV) node is to coordinate the transmission of electrical signals between the atria and the ventricles. It ensures proper timing between atrial and ventricular contractions, allowing for efficient blood pumping through the heart. Choice A is incorrect because the AV node does not generate the initial electrical impulse; that role is typically attributed to the sinoatrial (SA) node. Choice C is incorrect as the AV node does not directly influence blood pressure within the ventricles. Choice D is also incorrect as the separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood is primarily achieved by the anatomical structure of the heart (e.g., atria and ventricles) and not the AV node.

3. Which organelle in the cell is responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP?

• A. Nucleus
• B. Mitochondria
• C. Ribosome
• D. Golgi apparatus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mitochondria. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell and are responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. ATP is the primary energy currency of the cell, powering various cellular activities. The nucleus (choice A) is responsible for housing the cell's genetic material but is not involved in ATP production. Ribosomes (choice C) are involved in protein synthesis, not energy production. The Golgi apparatus (choice D) is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion, not for ATP production.

4. What is the small repeating unit in the contractile apparatus of skeletal muscle?

• A. Myofibril
• B. Actin
• C. Sarcomere
• D. Myosin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Sarcomere.' The sarcomere is the smallest repeating unit within myofibrils and is responsible for muscle contraction in skeletal muscle. It consists of overlapping actin and myosin filaments arranged in a highly organized structure that allows for the sliding of filaments during muscle contraction. 'Myofibril' (choice A) is incorrect because it is a larger structure composed of sarcomeres. 'Actin' (choice B) and 'Myosin' (choice D) are incorrect as they are individual proteins that are components of the sarcomere, not the smallest repeating unit itself.

5. What is the term for the process of exchanging gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the blood and the tissues?

• A. Inhalation
• B. Exhalation
• C. External respiration
• D. Internal respiration

Correct answer: C

Rationale: External respiration is the correct term for the process of exchanging gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the blood and the tissues. It specifically refers to the exchange of gases that occurs in the lungs, where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is released from the bloodstream to be exhaled. Inhalation and exhalation, choices A and B, are phases of the breathing process that involve the intake and expulsion of air into and out of the lungs, respectively. Internal respiration, choice D, is the process of gas exchange that happens at the cellular level between the blood and body tissues, not between the blood and the lungs or tissues as in external respiration. Therefore, external respiration is the most appropriate term for the described gas exchange process in the question.

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