Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following structures prevents food from entering the windpipe?

• A. Pharynx
• B. Esophagus
• C. Larynx
• D. Epiglottis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The epiglottis is the structure that prevents food from entering the windpipe by covering the trachea during swallowing. When food is swallowed, the epiglottis folds over the opening of the trachea to ensure that food goes down the esophagus and not into the airway. The pharynx is a shared pathway for both food and air, leading to the esophagus and larynx respectively. The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. The larynx is responsible for producing sound and protecting the airway during swallowing, but the epiglottis is specifically designed to prevent food from entering the windpipe.

2. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an example of:

• A. Convergent evolution
• B. Divergent evolution
• C. Microevolution
• D. Macroevolution

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a classic example of microevolution (option C). Microevolution refers to changes in allele frequencies within a population over a relatively short period of time. In the case of antibiotic resistance, bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics through the natural selection of pre-existing resistant strains. This process does not involve the formation of new species or higher taxonomic groups, which are associated with macroevolution (option D). Convergent evolution (option A) involves different species independently evolving similar traits in response to similar environmental pressures, which is not the case with antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Divergent evolution (option B) refers to related species becoming more dissimilar over time, which also does not apply to the scenario of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

3. Which structure of the nervous system carries an action potential in the direction of a synapse?

• A. Cell body
• B. Axon
• C. Neuron
• D. Myelin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the axon. The axon is the elongated, threadlike part of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body towards other neurons or target cells, such as muscles or glands, in the direction of a synapse. Action potentials travel along the axon as electrical signals to communicate with neighboring cells. The cell body (choice A) contains the nucleus and organelles but does not transmit action potentials. Neuron (choice C) is a broad term that includes the entire nerve cell, not a specific structure. Myelin (choice D) is a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates axons, aiding in the conduction of nerve impulses, but it does not directly carry the action potential towards a synapse.

4. Which of the following is NOT a common route of transmission for a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

• A. Unprotected sexual contact
• B. Sharing contaminated needles
• C. Deep kissing
• D. Mother to child during childbirth

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Unprotected sexual contact is a common route of transmission for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as many STIs are spread through genital, anal, or oral sex without the use of barrier protection such as condoms. B) Sharing contaminated needles can also transmit STIs such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, especially among individuals who inject drugs. C) Deep kissing, while it can transmit certain infections like herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) or cytomegalovirus (CMV), is not a common route of transmission for most STIs. Although some STIs can be transmitted through saliva, deep kissing is not a primary mode of transmission for most STIs. D) Mother to child transmission during childbirth can occur with certain STIs such as HIV, syphilis, and herpes, where the infection can be passed from the mother to the baby during delivery. Therefore, deep kissing (option C) is the correct answer as it is not a typical route of transmission for most STIs.

5. Which blood component is chiefly responsible for clotting?

• A. Platelets
• B. Red blood cells
• C. Antigens
• D. Plasma cells

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Platelets. Platelets are small cell fragments in the blood that play a crucial role in clotting. When there is an injury, platelets adhere to the site and release chemicals that help form a clot to prevent excessive bleeding. Red blood cells transport oxygen, antigens are substances that trigger an immune response, and plasma cells are a type of white blood cell involved in producing antibodies, none of which are primarily responsible for clotting.

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