Nursing Elites

1. Which hormone, produced by the ovaries, is responsible for the development of the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle and supports early pregnancy?

• A. Estrogen
• B. Progesterone
• C. Testosterone
• D. Prolactin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Progesterone, produced by the ovaries, is responsible for the development of the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle and supports early pregnancy. While estrogen also plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle, progesterone is specifically known for its role in preparing the uterus for pregnancy and maintaining the uterine lining. Testosterone is primarily a male sex hormone and not directly involved in these processes. Prolactin is a hormone that is mainly associated with milk production and not related to the development of the uterine lining or early pregnancy.

2. Which structure of the respiratory system bifurcates into the primary bronchi?

• A. Trachea
• B. Alveoli
• C. Bronchioles
• D. Larynx

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The trachea is the structure that bifurcates into the primary bronchi. The trachea is a tube that carries air to and from the lungs. It divides into the left and right primary bronchi at a specific point called the carina, which then further divide into secondary and tertiary bronchi, leading to the bronchioles. The alveoli are the tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles where gas exchange occurs, not the structure that bifurcates into the primary bronchi. Bronchioles are smaller airway branches that come after the bronchi but do not bifurcate into them. The larynx, also known as the voice box, is located above the trachea and is responsible for sound production, not the bifurcation into primary bronchi. Therefore, the correct answer is the trachea.

3. What causes varicose veins to occur?

• A. Atherosclerosis.
• B. Incompetent valves.
• C. Loss of skin turgor.
• D. Loss of blood vessel elasticity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Varicose veins occur when the valves within the veins become incompetent, leading to blood pooling in the veins instead of being efficiently pumped back to the heart. This causes the veins to become enlarged, twisted, and visible under the skin. Factors such as genetics, aging, pregnancy, and prolonged standing or sitting can contribute to the development of incompetent valves and the resulting varicose veins. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in arteries, not veins, and does not directly cause varicose veins. Loss of skin turgor is related to skin elasticity and not a direct cause of varicose veins. Loss of blood vessel elasticity is a general term and does not specifically address the mechanism behind varicose veins, which is primarily due to incompetent valves.

4. The Gram stain is a differential staining technique used to classify bacteria based on their cell wall composition. Gram-positive bacteria appear

• A. Pink
• B. Blue
• C. Red
• D. Purple

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Gram stain is a differential staining technique that categorizes bacteria into two groups based on their cell wall composition: Gram-positive and Gram-negative. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, which retains the crystal violet stain used in the Gram staining procedure. Consequently, Gram-positive bacteria appear purple under the microscope after staining. On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria possess a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane that can be penetrated by the counterstain safranin, leading them to appear pink or red. Blue is not typically used to describe the color of bacteria in a Gram stain, making it an incorrect choice.

5. What is the role of RNA interference in silencing genes?

• A. Increases protein production
• B. Promotes gene mutation
• C. Inhibits the expression of specific genes
• D. Repairs damaged DNA

Correct answer: C

Rationale: RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process that involves the silencing of gene expression by inhibiting the translation of mRNA or by degrading mRNA molecules. This mechanism plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and can be used to selectively silence specific genes. By interfering with the expression of specific genes, RNAi can downregulate protein production from those genes. Therefore, option C, 'Inhibits the expression of specific genes,' is the correct role of RNA interference in silencing genes. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because RNA interference does not increase protein production, promote gene mutation, or repair damaged DNA; its primary function is to inhibit gene expression by degrading or interfering with mRNA.

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