Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
Plasma electrolytes include
A. fibrinogen, globulins, and albumin
Fibrinogen, globulins, and albumin: those are plasma proteins, not electrolytes (they’re large molecules, not ions).
B. bicarbonate, magnesium, chloride, and potassium ions
Bicarbonate, magnesium, chloride, and potassium ions: these are ions dissolved in plasma and are classically considered electrolytes.
C. monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils
Monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils: those are white blood cells (formed elements), not electrolytes.
D. creatinine, urea, and uric acid
Creatinine, urea, and uric acid: those are nitrogenous waste/metabolites present in plasma, not electrolytes.
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Full Explanation
A. Fibrinogen, globulins, and albumin: those are plasma proteins, not electrolytes (they’re large molecules, not ions).
B. Bicarbonate, magnesium, chloride, and potassium ions: these are ions dissolved in plasma and are classically considered electrolytes.
C. Monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils: those are white blood cells (formed elements), not electrolytes.
D. Creatinine, urea, and uric acid: those are nitrogenous waste/metabolites present in plasma, not electrolytes.
Similar Questions
Biliverdin and bilirubin are pigments that result from the breakdown of
A. leukocytes
Leukocytes: leukocytes are white blood cells; their breakdown does not produce biliverdin/bilirubin.
B. hemoglobin
Hemoglobin: the heme portion of hemoglobin is degraded to biliverdin and then bilirubin (these are heme-breakdown pigments).
C. foreign pathogens
Foreign pathogens: pathogen breakdown is not the source of these pigments.
D. erythropoietin
Erythropoietin: erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates RBC production; it is not broken down into biliverdin/bilirubin.
Full Explanation
A. Leukocytes: leukocytes are white blood cells; their breakdown does not produce biliverdin/bilirubin.
B. Hemoglobin: the heme portion of hemoglobin is degraded to biliverdin and then bilirubin (these are heme-breakdown pigments).
C. Foreign pathogens: pathogen breakdown is not the source of these pigments.
D. Erythropoietin: erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates RBC production; it is not broken down into biliverdin/bilirubin.
Abnormal red blood cell counts have what consequences on health?
A. Altered oxygen-carrying capability of blood
Altered oxygen-carrying capability of blood: RBCs (via hemoglobin) are the primary carriers of oxygen; too few (anemia) or dysfunctional RBCs reduce O₂ delivery, too many (polycythemia) can alter flow.
B. Altered ability to clot blood
Altered ability to clot blood: clotting is primarily mediated by platelets and clotting factors, not by RBC count (RBCs can influence viscosity but are not the main clotting elements).
C. Altered ability to fight infection
Altered ability to fight infection: fighting infection is mainly the role of leukocytes (WBCs), not RBCs.
D. Altered heart rate and contractility
Altered heart rate and contractility: significant changes in RBC number (especially anemia) can cause compensatory increases in heart rate and contractility to maintain oxygen delivery; polycythemia can also change cardiac workload.
Full Explanation
A. Altered oxygen-carrying capability of blood: RBCs (via hemoglobin) are the primary carriers of oxygen; too few (anemia) or dysfunctional RBCs reduce O₂ delivery, too many (polycythemia) can alter flow.
B. Altered ability to clot blood: clotting is primarily mediated by platelets and clotting factors, not by RBC count (RBCs can influence viscosity but are not the main clotting elements).
C. Altered ability to fight infection: fighting infection is mainly the role of leukocytes (WBCs), not RBCs.
D. Altered heart rate and contractility: significant changes in RBC number (especially anemia) can cause compensatory increases in heart rate and contractility to maintain oxygen delivery; polycythemia can also change cardiac workload.
What is diapedesis?
A. The movement of white blood cells through blood vessel walls.
The movement of white blood cells through blood vessel walls: diapedesis (transmigration) is when leukocytes squeeze between endothelial cells to leave the bloodstream and enter tissues.
B. The formation of platelets from megakaryocytes.
The formation of platelets from megakaryocytes: that process is thrombopoiesis (platelet production), not diapedesis.
C. The squeezing of red blood cells through narrow capillaries.
The squeezing of red blood cells through narrow capillaries: RBCs deform to pass through capillaries, but that is not called diapedesis.
D. The filling of red blood cells with hemoglobin.
The filling of red blood cells with hemoglobin: hemoglobin synthesis and RBC maturation are separate processes, not diapedesis.
Full Explanation
A. The movement of white blood cells through blood vessel walls: diapedesis (transmigration) is when leukocytes squeeze between endothelial cells to leave the bloodstream and enter tissues.
B. The formation of platelets from megakaryocytes: that process is thrombopoiesis (platelet production), not diapedesis.
C. The squeezing of red blood cells through narrow capillaries: RBCs deform to pass through capillaries, but that is not called diapedesis.
D. The filling of red blood cells with hemoglobin: hemoglobin synthesis and RBC maturation are separate processes, not diapedesis.