Nursing Elites

1. Which term refers to the relaxation of the heart muscle?

• A. Diastole
• B. Systole
• C. Asystole
• D. Cardiastole

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Diastole. Diastole is the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes, allowing the chambers to fill with blood. Systole, on the other hand, refers to the contraction phase of the heart when it pumps blood out. Asystole is the absence of heart contractions, often referred to as cardiac arrest. Cardiastole is not a recognized medical term in relation to heart muscle relaxation, making it an incorrect choice.

2. What generates action potentials, the all-or-nothing electrical signals traveling along neurons?

• A. Glucose
• B. Sodium and potassium ions
• C. Neurotransmitters
• D. Myelin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Action potentials, the all-or-nothing electrical signals traveling along neurons, are generated by the movement of sodium and potassium ions across the neuronal membrane. This movement creates changes in the membrane potential, leading to the propagation of the electrical signal along the neuron. Glucose is a source of energy for neurons but is not directly involved in generating action potentials. Neurotransmitters are involved in communication between neurons but do not directly generate action potentials. Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates and speeds up the conduction of action potentials but does not generate them.

3. What is the term for the reaction between an acid and a base to produce water and a salt?

• A. Combustion
• B. Neutralization
• C. Oxidation
• D. Decomposition

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Neutralization is the correct term for the reaction between an acid and a base to produce water and a salt. During neutralization, the hydrogen ions from the acid react with the hydroxide ions from the base to form water, and the remaining ions combine to form a salt. Combustion involves a reaction with oxygen, oxidation is the loss of electrons, and decomposition is the breakdown of a compound into simpler substances. These processes do not accurately describe the reaction between an acid and a base to produce water and a salt.

4. Which of the following hormones is produced by the adrenal medulla and prepares the body for a stressful situation?

• A. Testosterone
• B. Cortisol
• C. Epinephrine (adrenaline)
• D. Growth hormone

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Epinephrine (adrenaline). Epinephrine is produced by the adrenal medulla and is responsible for preparing the body for a stressful situation. It increases heart rate, dilates airways, and mobilizes energy stores to help the body respond to a fight-or-flight scenario. Testosterone (Choice A) is a sex hormone produced by the testes in males and in smaller amounts by the ovaries in females, not by the adrenal medulla. Cortisol (Choice B) is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, not the adrenal medulla. Growth hormone (Choice D) is produced by the pituitary gland and is involved in growth, metabolism, and various bodily functions, not by the adrenal medulla.

5. Which cells myelinate neurons in the PNS?

• A. Oligodendrocytes
• B. Astrocytes
• C. Schwann cells
• D. Microglia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Schwann cells are the glial cells responsible for myelinating neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). They form the myelin sheath around axons, which helps in the conduction of electrical impulses. Oligodendrocytes, on the other hand, myelinate neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes primarily provide support for neuronal function by regulating the chemical environment around neurons and maintaining the blood-brain barrier. Microglia are part of the immune response in the CNS, where they act as the resident macrophages, playing a role in immune surveillance and response to injury or disease. Therefore, the correct answer is Schwann cells (Choice C) as they specifically myelinate neurons in the PNS, differentiating them from the other cell types mentioned in the choices.

Similar Questions