Nursing Elites

1. Which statement is TRUE about valence electrons?

• A. They are located in the innermost electron shell.
• B. They have the highest binding energy to the nucleus.
• C. They are most likely to participate in chemical bonding.
• D. They have no influence on the element's chemical properties.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Valence electrons are the outermost electrons in an atom's electron cloud and are crucial in forming chemical bonds with other atoms. These electrons determine the reactivity and chemical properties of an element, making option C the correct statement. Option A is incorrect as valence electrons are found in the outer shell, not the innermost shell. Option B is incorrect because valence electrons have lower binding energy compared to inner electrons. Option D is incorrect since valence electrons play a significant role in an element's chemical behavior.

2. The sheer number of people in the audience overwhelmed the actress as she peeked through the curtain before scene one. Which of the following correctly describes an error in the sentence above?

• A. The homophone 'sheer' should be 'shear.'
• B. The homophone 'peaked' should be 'peeked.'
• C. The homophone 'through' should be 'threw.'
• D. The homophone 'scene' should be 'seen.'

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. In this context, 'peaked' should be 'peeked,' meaning to take a quick look. The other choices are incorrect: A is wrong because 'sheer' is the correct term referring to the absolute or complete number of people; C is incorrect as 'through' is the right term indicating looking by going across something; D is inaccurate as 'scene' is the correct term for a part of a play or film.

3. The adaptive immune system has two main branches: humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Which type of immune cell is primarily responsible for antibody production?

• A. Helper T cells
• B. Cytotoxic T cells
• C. B cells
• D. Natural killer cells

Correct answer: C

Rationale: B cells are primarily responsible for antibody production in the adaptive immune system. When activated, B cells differentiate into plasma cells, which are specialized to produce antibodies. Helper T cells play a crucial role in activating B cells, but they do not directly produce antibodies. Cytotoxic T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity by killing infected cells, while natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system and target virus-infected and cancerous cells. Therefore, the correct answer is C (B cells) as they are directly involved in the production of antibodies, essential for humoral immunity.

4. In an oxidation reaction,

• A. an oxidizing agent gains electrons.
• B. an oxidizing agent loses electrons.
• C. a reducing agent gains electrons.
• D. a reducing agent loses electrons.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In an oxidation reaction, the substance being oxidized loses electrons, not gains them. An oxidizing agent is responsible for causing oxidation in another substance by accepting electrons, hence it undergoes reduction and loses electrons. Therefore, the correct statement is 'an oxidizing agent loses electrons,' making choice B the correct answer. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because in an oxidation reaction, the oxidizing agent does not gain electrons, a reducing agent does not gain electrons, and a reducing agent does not lose electrons.

5. How does the stability of an atom's nucleus influence its radioactive decay?

• A. Stable nuclei never undergo radioactive decay.
• B. Unstable nuclei are more likely to decay through various processes.
• C. Decay releases energy, making stable nuclei more prone to it.
• D. The element's position on the periodic table determines its decay rate.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Unstable nuclei are more likely to decay through various processes. The stability of an atom's nucleus is a crucial factor in determining whether it will undergo radioactive decay. Unstable nuclei have an excess of either protons or neutrons, causing an imbalance in the nucleus. To achieve a more stable configuration, these nuclei will undergo radioactive decay by emitting particles or energy. On the contrary, stable nuclei are less likely to undergo radioactive decay as they possess a balanced number of protons and neutrons. Choice A is incorrect because stable nuclei can still undergo radioactive decay, albeit less frequently. Choice C is incorrect as decay does not make stable nuclei more prone to it; rather, it stabilizes them. Choice D is incorrect because an element's decay rate is primarily determined by the nucleus's stability, not its position on the periodic table.

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