Nursing Elites

1. What is the main function of the small intestine?

• A. To store food and break it down into smaller pieces
• B. To absorb nutrients into the bloodstream
• C. To produce enzymes that help digest food
• D. To eliminate waste products from the body

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The small intestine is a crucial part of the digestive system responsible for absorbing nutrients into the bloodstream. This absorption primarily occurs through the villi lining the small intestine, which increases the surface area available for nutrient absorption. Nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals are absorbed into the bloodstream to support various bodily functions such as energy production, growth, and repair. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately depict the primary function of the small intestine, which is nutrient absorption.

2. Which blood vessels carry deoxygenated blood from the body back to the right atrium of the heart?

• A. Arteries
• B. Veins
• C. Capillaries
• D. Venules

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Veins are the blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart. Arteries transport oxygenated blood away from the heart. Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels where gas exchange occurs between blood and tissues. Venules are small veins that connect capillaries to larger veins, but they do not directly carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

3. Which of the following structures is responsible for producing insulin?

• A. Liver
• B. Pancreas
• C. Gallbladder
• D. Spleen

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pancreas. The pancreas is the organ responsible for producing insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing cells to take in glucose from the bloodstream. The liver (choice A) plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels through glycogen storage and release but does not produce insulin. The gallbladder (choice C) stores bile produced by the liver to aid in digestion and has no direct involvement in insulin production. The spleen (choice D) is involved in immune function and blood storage but not in the production of insulin.

4. How does ingested food move through the digestive tract?

• A. Chewing, digestion, absorption
• B. Swallowing, peristalsis, segmentation
• C. Swallowing, mastication, defecation
• D. Digestion, absorption, excretion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Swallowing, peristalsis, segmentation. Food moves through the digestive tract by first being swallowed, then undergoing peristalsis (wave-like movements that propel food along the digestive tract), and finally undergoing segmentation (mixing movements in the intestines). Chewing and digestion occur in the mouth and stomach, respectively, while absorption and excretion happen later in the digestive process. Choice A is incorrect as absorption is a later stage in the process. Choice C is incorrect because defecation is the elimination of waste, not the movement of food. Choice D is incorrect as excretion is the elimination of waste products, not the movement of ingested food through the digestive tract.

5. Which of the following structures is responsible for gas exchange in the lungs?

• A. Bronchi
• B. Alveoli
• C. Trachea
• D. Diaphragm

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into the blood vessels surrounding the alveoli, while carbon dioxide from the blood is released into the alveoli to be exhaled. The bronchi are air passages that carry air into the lungs but do not participate in gas exchange. The trachea is the windpipe that connects the larynx to the bronchi and serves as an airway for breathing. The diaphragm is a muscle that aids in the breathing process by contracting and relaxing to change the volume of the chest cavity.

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