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?
- AMedian cubital vein
- BBrachial vein
- CGreat saphenous vein
- DAxillary vein
2.Human anatomyHard
After a difficult delivery with traction on the neck, a baby's arm hangs by the side, internally rotated with the forearm pronated ("waiter's tip"). Which part of the brachial plexus is injured?
- ALower trunk (C8–T1)
- BPosterior cord
- CUpper trunk (C5–C6)
- DMedial cord
3.Human physiologyMedium
Where does the final activation step of vitamin D (1-alpha hydroxylation) take place?
- ALiver
- BSmall intestine
- CSkin
- DKidney
4.Human physiologyHard
Which substance's clearance is used as the gold standard to measure glomerular filtration rate?
- ACreatinine
- BUrea
- CGlucose
- DInulin
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is a chromosomal translocation?
- AA piece of a chromosome is flipped around in place
- BOne DNA base is replaced by another base
- CA piece of one chromosome attaches to a non-matching chromosome
- DA piece of a chromosome is copied twice and stays in the same place
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Starch and cellulose are both made of glucose. Why can humans digest starch but not cellulose?
- AStarch is a protein, and cellulose is a lipid
- BHumans lack an enzyme that breaks the bonds in cellulose
- CCellulose contains no glucose units at all, only fructose
- DCellulose dissolves in water but starch does not
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Water has a high specific heat capacity. How does this help the human body?
- AIt helps keep body temperature stable
- BIt makes the blood more acidic
- CIt makes water a poor solvent for salts
- DIt allows oxygen to dissolve in water more easily
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
A nurse wipes a patient's arm with an alcohol swab and the patient says the skin feels cold. What explains this?
- AThe alcohol reacts with the skin in an endothermic chemical reaction
- BThe alcohol absorbs heat from the skin as it evaporates
- CThe alcohol is stored at a much lower temperature than the room
- DThe alcohol blocks the skin's nerve endings for warmth
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: A · 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 · Upper trunk (C5–C6)
Why this is the answer
Erb's palsy follows stretching of the upper trunk (C5–C6), paralysing deltoid, the external rotators and biceps. Lower trunk injury (Klumpke's) affects the small hand muscles instead.
3.Human physiology
Answer: D · Kidney
Why this is the answer
Vitamin D is made in the skin or eaten, hydroxylated in the liver, and then activated to calcitriol in the kidney. Kidney failure therefore causes vitamin D deficiency.
4.Human physiology
Answer: D · Inulin
Why this is the answer
Inulin is filtered freely and is not reabsorbed or secreted, so its clearance equals GFR exactly. Creatinine is slightly secreted, so it overestimates GFR a little.
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · A piece of one chromosome attaches to a non-matching chromosome
Why this is the answer
In a translocation a segment moves to a non-homologous chromosome. Some translocations are linked to cancers, such as the Philadelphia chromosome in chronic myeloid leukaemia.
C · A piece of one chromosome attaches to a non-matching chromosome
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · Humans lack an enzyme that breaks the bonds in cellulose
Why this is the answer
The glucose units in cellulose are joined by a different type of bond than in starch. Humans make amylase for starch but no enzyme for cellulose. Cows rely on gut microbes that make cellulase.
B · Humans lack an enzyme that breaks the bonds in cellulose
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · It helps keep body temperature stable
Why this is the answer
Water must absorb or lose a lot of energy to change temperature. Because the body is mostly water, its temperature changes slowly, which helps maintain a stable core temperature.
A · It helps keep body temperature stable
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · The alcohol absorbs heat from the skin as it evaporates
Why this is the answer
Evaporation is endothermic: the alcohol takes the energy it needs to vaporise from the skin, lowering skin temperature. Sweating cools the body in the same way.
B · The alcohol absorbs heat from the skin as it evaporates
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