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
Where does the spinal cord normally end in an adult?
- AAt about the level of T10
- BAt about the level of vertebrae L1–L2
- CAt the coccyx
- DAt the level of the sacrum
2.Human anatomyHard
Why can an inflamed gallbladder that irritates the diaphragm cause pain at the tip of the right shoulder?
- AThe gallbladder is attached to the right clavicle
- BThe phrenic nerve shares spinal segments C3–C5 with the skin of the shoulder
- CThe vagus nerve supplies the skin of the shoulder
- DBile travels up the lymphatics to the shoulder
3.Human physiologyMedium
What is the main effect of vagus nerve stimulation on the heart?
- AIt slows the heart rate
- BIt increases ventricular contractility strongly
- CIt increases the heart rate
- DIt constricts the coronary arteries
4.Human physiologyHard
In Graves' disease, what thyroid function results are expected and why?
- ALow T4 and low TSH, because the hypothalamus fails
- BLow T4 and high TSH, because antibodies destroy the gland
- CHigh T4 and low TSH, because antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor
- DHigh T4 and high TSH, because the anterior pituitary gland is overactive
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
After gel electrophoresis, which DNA fragments are found furthest from the wells?
- AThe fragments with the most adenine
- BThe smallest fragments
- CThe fragments with the most guanine
- DThe largest fragments
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Five recovery times in days are 5, 6, 6, 7 and 30. Which value best describes a typical recovery time, and why?
- AThe maximum of 30, because it shows the worst case
- BThe mean of 10.8, because it uses every value
- CThe median of 6, because the outlier pulls the mean up
- DThe range of 25, because it shows the spread
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which statement describes an endothermic process?
- AIt neither absorbs nor releases any energy
- BIt happens only at very high temperatures
- CIt absorbs heat, so the surroundings feel colder
- DIt releases heat, so the surroundings feel warmer
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
A reaction takes in 50 kJ of energy from the surroundings. Which statement is true?
- AIt is endothermic, and the products have less energy than the reactants
- BIt is exothermic, and the products have less energy than the reactants
- CIt is endothermic, and the products have more energy than the reactants
- DNo energy change happened, because energy is conserved
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: B · At about the level of vertebrae L1–L2
Why this is the answer
In adults the cord ends at the conus medullaris near L1–L2. Below that lies the cauda equina, which is why lumbar punctures are done at L3–L4 or L4–L5.
B · At about the level of vertebrae L1–L2
2.Human anatomy
Answer: B · The phrenic nerve shares spinal segments C3–C5 with the skin of the shoulder
Why this is the answer
Diaphragmatic irritation is carried by the phrenic nerve (C3–C5). The brain refers it to skin supplied by the same segments, via the supraclavicular nerves over the shoulder.
B · The phrenic nerve shares spinal segments C3–C5 with the skin of the shoulder
3.Human physiology
Answer: A · It slows the heart rate
Why this is the answer
The vagus releases acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors in the SA and AV nodes, slowing pacemaker firing and AV conduction.
A · It slows the heart rate
4.Human physiology
Answer: C · High T4 and low TSH, because antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor
Why this is the answer
TSH-receptor antibodies stimulate the thyroid independently of TSH. The resulting high T4 and T3 suppress pituitary TSH by negative feedback.
C · High T4 and low TSH, because antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · The smallest fragments
Why this is the answer
Smaller fragments slip through the pores of the gel faster and travel further. Large fragments stay closer to the wells where the samples were loaded.
B · The smallest fragments
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · The median of 6, because the outlier pulls the mean up
Why this is the answer
The mean is (5 + 6 + 6 + 7 + 30) ÷ 5 = 10.8, which is higher than four of the five values because of the outlier. The median, 6, is less affected and better shows the typical value.
C · The median of 6, because the outlier pulls the mean up
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · It absorbs heat, so the surroundings feel colder
Why this is the answer
Endothermic processes take in energy from the surroundings, as when ammonium nitrate dissolves in an instant cold pack.
C · It absorbs heat, so the surroundings feel colder
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · It is endothermic, and the products have more energy than the reactants
Why this is the answer
Energy taken in is stored in the products, so they are higher in energy: an endothermic reaction with a positive ΔH (+50 kJ).
C · It is endothermic, and the products have more energy than the reactants
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