Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
Where are sensory signals from the stomach and small intestine sent to trigger a vomiting reflex?
A. Cerebrum
Cerebrum: the cerebrum is involved in conscious processing; vomiting reflex is coordinated by brainstem centers.
B. Esophagus
Esophagus: the esophagus is a peripheral organ and a route for vomitus, not the control center for the reflex.
C. Pharynx
Pharynx: the pharynx is an anatomical structure involved in expulsion but not the central integrative center for vomiting.
D. Medulla oblongata
Medulla oblongata: the medulla oblongata (brainstem vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone nearby) integrates visceral sensory input and coordinates the vomiting reflex.
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Full Explanation
A. Cerebrum: the cerebrum is involved in conscious processing; vomiting reflex is coordinated by brainstem centers.
B. Esophagus: the esophagus is a peripheral organ and a route for vomitus, not the control center for the reflex.
C. Pharynx: the pharynx is an anatomical structure involved in expulsion but not the central integrative center for vomiting.
D. Medulla oblongata: the medulla oblongata (brainstem vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone nearby) integrates visceral sensory input and coordinates the vomiting reflex.
Similar Questions
Where are nucleic acids chemically digested?
A. In the mouth
In the mouth: little to no chemical digestion of nucleic acids occurs in the mouth.
B. In the small intestine
In the small intestine: pancreatic nucleases (DNase, RNase) and brush-border enzymes in the small intestine chemically digest nucleic acids into nucleotides and bases.
C. In the large intestine
In the large intestine: the large intestine is primarily for water absorption and microbial fermentation, not major nucleic acid digestion.
D. In the stomach
In the stomach: the stomach mainly digests proteins (pepsin) and does not significantly chemically digest nucleic acids.
Full Explanation
A. In the mouth: little to no chemical digestion of nucleic acids occurs in the mouth.
B. In the small intestine: pancreatic nucleases (DNase, RNase) and brush-border enzymes in the small intestine chemically digest nucleic acids into nucleotides and bases.
C. In the large intestine: the large intestine is primarily for water absorption and microbial fermentation, not major nucleic acid digestion.
D. In the stomach: the stomach mainly digests proteins (pepsin) and does not significantly chemically digest nucleic acids.
What is secreted by the parietal cells of gastric glands?
A. Pepsinogen
Pepsinogen: pepsinogen is secreted by chief cells, not parietal cells.
B. Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid: parietal cells secrete HCl, which acidifies the stomach and helps activate pepsinogen.
C. Mucus
Mucus: mucus is secreted by mucous (surface) cells to protect the gastric epithelium, not by parietal cells.
D. Pepsin
Pepsin: pepsin is the active protease formed from pepsinogen by HCl; parietal cells secrete HCl, not active pepsin.
Full Explanation
A. Pepsinogen: pepsinogen is secreted by chief cells, not parietal cells.
B. Hydrochloric acid: parietal cells secrete HCl, which acidifies the stomach and helps activate pepsinogen.
C. Mucus: mucus is secreted by mucous (surface) cells to protect the gastric epithelium, not by parietal cells.
D. Pepsin: pepsin is the active protease formed from pepsinogen by HCl; parietal cells secrete HCl, not active pepsin.
Which enzyme begins digestion of protein in the stomach?
A. pepsin
pepsin: pepsin (activated from pepsinogen) is the primary enzyme that begins protein digestion in the stomach.
B. amylase
amylase: amylase digests carbohydrates, primarily in the mouth/small intestine, not proteins in the stomach.
C. intrinsic factor
intrinsic factor: intrinsic factor (from parietal cells) is needed for vitamin B₁₂ absorption, not protein digestion.
D. lipase
lipase: lipase digests fats; gastric lipase plays a minor role but is not the main stomach protease.
Full Explanation
A. pepsin: pepsin (activated from pepsinogen) is the primary enzyme that begins protein digestion in the stomach.
B. amylase: amylase digests carbohydrates, primarily in the mouth/small intestine, not proteins in the stomach.
C. intrinsic factor: intrinsic factor (from parietal cells) is needed for vitamin B₁₂ absorption, not protein digestion.
D. lipase: lipase digests fats; gastric lipase plays a minor role but is not the main stomach protease.