Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following body processes is not dependent upon the presence of calcium in the body fluids?

• A. blood clotting
• B. transport of oxygen in the blood
• C. muscle contractions
• D. transmission of nerve impulses

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The transport of oxygen in the blood is carried out by hemoglobin, which does not require calcium; instead, calcium is essential for blood clotting, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission.

2. Which set of guidelines is intended to assess nutrient adequacy or plan intakes of population groups, not individuals?

• A. Old Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)
• B. Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
• C. New Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)
• D. Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) is specifically designed to assess nutrient adequacy or plan intakes for population groups, not for individuals. The Old and New Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) are meant for individuals, not groups, as they provide guidelines for specific nutrient intake levels for healthy individuals. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is used to set the highest level of nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects for most individuals in a group, which is different from assessing nutrient adequacy for groups.

3. When taking a blood pressure reading, where should the cuff be positioned?

• A. The cuff should be deflated fully before immediately starting a second reading for the same patient
• B. The cuff should be deflated quickly after being inflated to 180 mmHg
• C. The cuff should be large enough to wrap around the upper arm of the adult patient, positioned 1 cm above the brachial artery
• D. The cuff should be inflated to 30 mmHg above the estimated systolic BP based on palpation of the radial or brachial artery

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When measuring blood pressure, the cuff should be inflated to 30 mmHg above the estimated systolic blood pressure based on palpation of the radial or brachial artery. This ensures an accurate blood pressure measurement. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Deflating the cuff fully before starting a second reading (Choice A) does not directly relate to the position of the cuff during a reading. Deflating the cuff quickly after inflating to 180 mmHg (Choice B) is not recommended because it can potentially lead to inaccurate readings. While ensuring the cuff is large enough to wrap around the upper arm positioned 1 cm above the brachial artery is important (Choice C), this alone does not guarantee an accurate blood pressure reading. The correct inflation based on palpation is the key element for accuracy, which is why Choice D is correct.

4. Dental hygienists are in a key position to assess and detect signs and symptoms of systemic disease because more than one third of the patients treated in a dental office frequently do not interact with a general health care provider.

• A. Both the statement and the reason are correct and related
• B. Both the statement and the reason are correct but are not related
• C. The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct
• D. The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Dental hygienists often see patients more regularly than general healthcare providers, allowing them to identify systemic issues early.

5. Each statement is true of calcium within saliva, except one. Which is the exception?

• A. Saliva is supersaturated with calcium.
• B. Saliva is a source of calcium to mineralize an immature or demineralized enamel surface.
• C. Calcium and phosphate in saliva provide a buffering action.
• D. Calcium within saliva increases dental caries.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Calcium within saliva does not increase dental caries; in fact, the buffering action provided by calcium and phosphate in saliva inhibits caries formation by preventing the dissolution of enamel by plaque biofilm. Choice A is correct as saliva is indeed supersaturated with calcium. Choice B is correct as saliva serves as a source of calcium to mineralize an immature or demineralized enamel surface. Choice C is correct as calcium and phosphate in saliva do provide a buffering action to protect teeth from acids.

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