1Formulas and methods
Biology for nursing entrance exams
Method
- Name the topic of the question: cell parts, transport, division, DNA and protein synthesis, inheritance, biomolecules, microorganisms or experimental design.
- Recall the key rule: A–T and G–C, diffusion from high to low, water moves towards more solute, mitosis keeps and meiosis halves the chromosome number.
- For crosses, write the parents’ genotypes, list the gametes and fill a Punnett square before counting.
- For experiments, label the independent, dependent and controlled variables, and ask whether the evidence supports or only suggests the conclusion.
- Check each option against the question asked, not just whether it is a true statement.
Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Method
- Identify what is given and asked: particles, a formula, a state change, a concentration, a pH or a mass.
- Use the periodic table: the atomic number gives protons, the group gives valence electrons and the usual ion charge.
- Balance equations with coefficients only, element by element, oxygen and hydrogen last.
- For amounts, go mass → moles → mole ratio → moles → mass, and for solutions use M = mol/L and C₁V₁ = C₂V₂.
- Remember that pH is logarithmic: one unit is a factor of 10.
2Practice problems
1.Human anatomyMedium
Which superficial vein in the front of the elbow is most often used for venepuncture?
- ABrachial vein
- BGreat saphenous vein
- CAxillary vein
- DMedian cubital vein
2.Human anatomyHard
A large central disc prolapse at L4–L5 causes saddle anaesthesia, urinary retention and bilateral leg weakness. Which structure is compressed?
- ASciatic nerve in the buttock
- BFemoral nerve
- CCauda equina
- DThoracic spinal cord
3.Human physiologyMedium
Which ion enters the cell to cause the depolarisation phase of a typical neuronal action potential?
- AChloride (Cl⁻)
- BCalcium (Ca²⁺)
- CSodium (Na⁺)
- DPotassium (K⁺)
4.Human physiologyHard
In primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), which combination is expected?
- AHigh sodium, high potassium and high ACTH
- BLow sodium, low potassium and low ACTH
- CHigh sodium, low potassium and low ACTH
- DLow sodium, high potassium and high ACTH
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
During hard exercise, muscle cells run short of oxygen. What do they produce from glucose instead?
- ALarge amounts of ATP and oxygen
- BAlcohol and carbon dioxide
- CGlycogen and water
- DLactic acid (lactate) and a small amount of ATP
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
A leaf with green and white areas is kept in light and then tested with iodine. Only the green areas turn blue-black. What does this show?
- AWhite areas store more starch than green areas
- BIodine destroys chlorophyll in the leaf
- CLight is not needed for photosynthesis
- DChlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is the percent by mass of salt in a solution made from 15 g of salt and 135 g of water?
- A11%
- B15%
- C90%
- D10%
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Which of these is a weak acid?
- ASulfuric acid
- BNitric acid
- CHydrochloric acid
- DAcetic acid (in vinegar)
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: D · Median cubital vein
Why this is the answer
The median cubital vein crosses the cubital fossa between the cephalic and basilic veins. It is superficial, large and fairly fixed, so it is easy to puncture.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Cauda equina
Why this is the answer
Below L1–L2 the canal holds the cauda equina. Central compression of these lumbar and sacral roots causes cauda equina syndrome, a surgical emergency.
3.Human physiology
Answer: C · Sodium (Na⁺)
Why this is the answer
Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels open and Na⁺ rushes in, depolarising the membrane. K⁺ outflow then repolarises it.
4.Human physiology
Answer: D · Low sodium, high potassium and high ACTH
Why this is the answer
Loss of aldosterone causes sodium loss and potassium retention. Low cortisol removes negative feedback, so ACTH rises and can cause skin pigmentation.
D · Low sodium, high potassium and high ACTH
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Lactic acid (lactate) and a small amount of ATP
Why this is the answer
Without enough oxygen, human muscle cells convert pyruvate to lactate, which gives only a little ATP. Yeast makes ethanol and CO₂ instead.
D · Lactic acid (lactate) and a small amount of ATP
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis
Why this is the answer
Iodine turns blue-black in the presence of starch, a product of photosynthesis. Starch formed only in the green parts, which contain chlorophyll, so chlorophyll is required.
D · Chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · 10%
Why this is the answer
The solution has 15 + 135 = 150 g, so the salt is 15/150 × 100 = 10%. Dividing by the water alone gives 11%.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Acetic acid (in vinegar)
Why this is the answer
Acetic acid releases only a small fraction of its hydrogen ions. HCl, HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ are strong acids that ionise fully.
D · Acetic acid (in vinegar)
This is independent practice material. ExamProblems is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organisation that runs this exam, and the exam name is used only to describe the content. ATI TEAS is a trademark of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC (ATI), which is not affiliated with ExamProblems and does not endorse it or vouch for its accuracy.