Nursing Elites

1. What is the most powerful stimulus for breathing in a healthy person?

• A. Acidosis
• B. Alkalosis
• C. Increase in CO2
• D. Loss of O2

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is an increase in CO2. In a healthy individual, the primary drive to breathe is regulated by the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. When CO2 levels increase, it triggers the body to increase the rate and depth of breathing to eliminate excess CO2 and restore the balance. This response is more powerful than other stimuli such as acidosis, alkalosis, or loss of oxygen. While acidosis and alkalosis can affect breathing, an increase in CO2 has a more direct and immediate impact. Loss of oxygen (hypoxia) is a potent stimulus, but the body's response to increased CO2 levels is generally more pronounced and immediate in healthy individuals.

2. Which blood type is known as the universal donor?

• A. Type A
• B. Type B
• C. Type AB
• D. Type O

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Type O blood is known as the universal donor because it lacks antigens on the surface of red blood cells. This characteristic makes it compatible with all blood types during transfusions. Type A, Type B, and Type AB blood types have specific antigens that can cause adverse reactions if transfused to an incompatible recipient.

3. Which term describes a substance's ability to undergo a change that transforms it into a different substance?

• A. Density
• B. Mass
• C. Reactivity
• D. Volume

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Reactivity refers to a substance's ability to undergo a change that transforms it into a different substance through a chemical reaction. In this context, reactivity specifically refers to the chemical behavior of a substance. Density, mass, and volume are physical properties of a substance and do not describe its ability to undergo a chemical change. Density is the mass per unit volume, mass is the amount of matter in an object, and volume is the amount of space occupied by an object. Therefore, reactivity is the most appropriate term to describe a substance's ability to undergo a transformation into a different substance.

4. What is the oxidation state of carbon in CH4?

• A. +1
• B. -1
• C. +2
• D. -4

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In CH4 (methane), carbon is bonded to four hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1. Since the overall charge of CH4 is 0, the oxidation state of carbon must be -4 to balance the charges. Each hydrogen contributes an oxidation state of +1, resulting in a total of +4 from hydrogen atoms. To achieve a total oxidation state of 0 for the molecule, carbon must have an oxidation state of -4 to offset the contribution from hydrogen. Therefore, the correct answer is -4. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect: +1 is the oxidation state of hydrogen, -1 is not the oxidation state of carbon in methane, and +2 is not the correct oxidation state of carbon in CH4.

5. Which hormone, produced by the pancreas, is released in response to low blood sugar levels and stimulates the release of glucose into the bloodstream?

• A. Insulin
• B. Glucagon
• C. Cortisol
• D. Thyroxine

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Glucagon is the hormone produced by the pancreas that is released in response to low blood sugar levels. It acts to stimulate the release of glucose into the bloodstream by promoting the breakdown of glycogen in the liver. Insulin, conversely, is released in response to high blood sugar levels and promotes the uptake of glucose by cells. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates metabolism and the immune response. Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism but is not involved in responding to low blood sugar levels.

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