Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following statements is true regarding a supersaturated solution?

• A. It is unstable and tends to crystallize
• B. It contains more solute than it could dissolve
• C. It has a higher concentration than a saturated solution
• D. It is rarely encountered in everyday solutions

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A supersaturated solution is unstable and tends to crystallize because it contains more solute than it could dissolve at a given temperature. This excess solute is in a metastable state and can precipitate out if disturbed, leading to the formation of crystals. Option B is incorrect because a supersaturated solution does contain more solute than it could normally dissolve, but it becomes unstable due to this excess solute. Option C is incorrect because while a supersaturated solution does have a higher concentration than a saturated solution, the defining characteristic related to its instability is the excess solute. Option D is incorrect as supersaturated solutions can be encountered in various everyday scenarios, such as certain sugar solutions used in cooking or rock candy production.

2. How do vaccines stimulate the immune system to develop memory without causing full-blown illness? What type of molecule in a vaccine typically triggers the immune response?

• A. Toxins produced by the pathogen
• B. Live, attenuated (weakened) forms of the pathogen
• C. Inactivated (dead) forms of the pathogen
• D. Antigens (specific molecules) from the pathogen

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Vaccines work by triggering the immune system to develop memory without causing illness. They typically contain antigens, which are specific molecules from the pathogen. These antigens stimulate the immune system to produce a targeted immune response without causing full-blown sickness. By presenting these antigens, vaccines help the immune system create memory cells that remember the pathogen. This memory allows the immune system to respond more effectively if it encounters the pathogen in the future. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because vaccines do not typically contain toxins, live pathogens, or inactivated forms of the pathogen. Instead, vaccines primarily rely on specific molecules (antigens) to induce an immune response.

3. 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.

4. What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

• A. Both are double-stranded.
• B. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA contains ribose sugar.
• C. RNA contains the nitrogenous base uracil, while DNA contains thymine.
• D. Both are identical molecules.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A) Incorrect. DNA is double-stranded, but RNA is typically single-stranded. B) Correct. DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, which lacks an oxygen atom on the 2' carbon of the sugar ring, while RNA contains ribose sugar, which has an additional hydroxyl group on the 2' carbon. C) Incorrect. RNA contains the nitrogenous base uracil, while DNA contains thymine. D) Incorrect. DNA and RNA have distinct structures and functions, so they are not identical molecules.

5. What property of a substance remains constant regardless of changes in its shape or size?

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and remains constant regardless of changes in its shape or size. Weight, density, and volume can all change depending on the conditions, but mass remains the same. For example, if you have a piece of clay and you shape it into a ball or flatten it into a pancake, the amount of clay (mass) will remain the same, even though the shape and size have changed. Weight is the force acting on an object due to gravity, which can vary depending on the gravitational pull. Density is the mass per unit volume, so it changes with variations in volume. Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object, which can change if the shape or size of the object is altered.

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