Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
Which electrolyte is crucial for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions in the body, and is regulated by the kidneys?
A. Calcium
Calcium: Calcium is essential for bone health, neurotransmission, and muscle contraction (especially cardiac muscle), and is regulated by hormones (PTH, calcitonin, vitamin D) with renal involvement -important, but the key ion classically emphasized for fluid balance and skeletal/neuromuscular excitability in this context is potassium.
B. Chloride
Chloride: Chloride is an anion that helps maintain fluid balance and acid–base status (often follows sodium) and is regulated by the kidneys, but it’s less commonly singled out as the primary regulator of nerve and muscle excitability.
C. Potassium
Potassium: Potassium is crucial for maintaining intracellular fluid balance, normal nerve impulse conduction, and skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction; the kidneys are the main regulators of potassium excretion and homeostasis.
D. Phosphate
Phosphate: Phosphate is important for bone mineralization, energy metabolism (ATP), and acid–base buffering; the kidneys regulate phosphate, but phosphate is not the primary electrolyte described for nerve function and muscle contractions in the way potassium is.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II PROCTORED EXAM (ARIZONA COLLEGE). Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. Calcium: Calcium is essential for bone health, neurotransmission, and muscle contraction (especially cardiac muscle), and is regulated by hormones (PTH, calcitonin, vitamin D) with renal involvement -important, but the key ion classically emphasized for fluid balance and skeletal/neuromuscular excitability in this context is potassium.
B. Chloride: Chloride is an anion that helps maintain fluid balance and acid–base status (often follows sodium) and is regulated by the kidneys, but it’s less commonly singled out as the primary regulator of nerve and muscle excitability.
C. Potassium: Potassium is crucial for maintaining intracellular fluid balance, normal nerve impulse conduction, and skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction; the kidneys are the main regulators of potassium excretion and homeostasis.
D. Phosphate: Phosphate is important for bone mineralization, energy metabolism (ATP), and acid–base buffering; the kidneys regulate phosphate, but phosphate is not the primary electrolyte described for nerve function and muscle contractions in the way potassium is.
Similar Questions
The process by which bile breaks down large lipid globules into smaller lipid globules in small intestine is called ______
A. Mastication
Mastication: Mastication is the mechanical chewing of food that occurs in the mouth to break food into smaller pieces -not related to bile emulsifying fats.
B. Peristalsis
Peristalsis: Peristalsis are wave-like smooth muscle contractions that propel contents through the GI tract -helps move chyme but does not chemically/physically disperse fat droplets like bile does.
C. Emulsification
Emulsification: Emulsification is the process by which bile salts surround and break large fat globules into many small droplets, increasing surface area for lipase action.
D. Deglutition
Deglutition: Deglutition is the act of swallowing, moving a bolus from the mouth into the pharynx and esophagus -not the process of bile acting on lipids.
Full Explanation
A. Mastication: Mastication is the mechanical chewing of food that occurs in the mouth to break food into smaller pieces -not related to bile emulsifying fats.
B. Peristalsis: Peristalsis are wave-like smooth muscle contractions that propel contents through the GI tract -helps move chyme but does not chemically/physically disperse fat droplets like bile does.
C. Emulsification: Emulsification is the process by which bile salts surround and break large fat globules into many small droplets, increasing surface area for lipase action.
D. Deglutition: Deglutition is the act of swallowing, moving a bolus from the mouth into the pharynx and esophagus -not the process of bile acting on lipids.
A client presents to the emergency room with difficulty breathing. The nurse understands which of the following is a stimulus for breathing?
A. Buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood
Buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood: Rising arterial CO₂ (hypercapnia) is the primary stimulus for increased ventilation -central chemoreceptors detect CO₂-induced changes and drive respiratory rate/ depth.
B. pH levels in the cerebrospinal fluid
pH levels in the cerebrospinal fluid: Central chemoreceptors in the medulla respond to lowered CSF pH (which reflects increased CO₂) and stimulate breathing -true and closely linked to CO₂ levels (mechanism of the primary drive).
C. Buildup of oxygen levels in the blood
Buildup of oxygen levels in the blood: Increased O₂ is not a stimulus for breathing; in fact, high oxygen reduces the hypoxic drive. Low O₂ (hypoxemia), not a buildup, can stimulate ventilation via peripheral chemoreceptors.
D. Rising blood pressure
Rising blood pressure: Changes in blood pressure are sensed by baroreceptors and influence cardiovascular responses, but rising blood pressure is not a direct major stimulus for ventilation.
Full Explanation
A. Buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood: Rising arterial CO₂ (hypercapnia) is the primary stimulus for increased ventilation -central chemoreceptors detect CO₂-induced changes and drive respiratory rate/ depth.
B. pH levels in the cerebrospinal fluid: Central chemoreceptors in the medulla respond to lowered CSF pH (which reflects increased CO₂) and stimulate breathing -true and closely linked to CO₂ levels (mechanism of the primary drive).
C. Buildup of oxygen levels in the blood: Increased O₂ is not a stimulus for breathing; in fact, high oxygen reduces the hypoxic drive. Low O₂ (hypoxemia), not a buildup, can stimulate ventilation via peripheral chemoreceptors.
D. Rising blood pressure: Changes in blood pressure are sensed by baroreceptors and influence cardiovascular responses, but rising blood pressure is not a direct major stimulus for ventilation.
All the following are functions of the digestive system except:
A. Break down ingested foods
Break down ingested foods: The digestive system performs mechanical and chemical breakdown (e.g., chewing, enzymes) of ingested food.
B. Digest ingested foods to release nutrients
Digest ingested foods to release nutrients: Digestion (chemical breakdown) releases absorbable nutrients (amino acids, monosaccharides, fatty acids).
C. Production of red blood cells
Production of red blood cells: Hematopoiesis (production of RBCs) occurs mainly in bone marrow (and in fetal life the liver/spleen), not as a function of the digestive tract.
D. Excretion of waste products
Excretion of waste products: The digestive system eliminates undigested material and some metabolic wastes as feces.
Full Explanation
A. Break down ingested foods: The digestive system performs mechanical and chemical breakdown (e.g., chewing, enzymes) of ingested food.
B. Digest ingested foods to release nutrients: Digestion (chemical breakdown) releases absorbable nutrients (amino acids, monosaccharides, fatty acids).
C. Production of red blood cells: Hematopoiesis (production of RBCs) occurs mainly in bone marrow (and in fetal life the liver/spleen), not as a function of the digestive tract.
D. Excretion of waste products: The digestive system eliminates undigested material and some metabolic wastes as feces.