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 nerve supplies the diaphragm?
- AAccessory nerve
- BVagus nerve
- CPhrenic nerve
- DIntercostal nerves
2.Human anatomyHard
Which muscle is the main flexor of the hip joint?
- AAdductor magnus
- BGluteus maximus
- CBiceps femoris
- DIliopsoas
3.Human physiologyMedium
Vital capacity is the sum of which lung volumes?
- ATidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume
- BResidual volume and expiratory reserve volume
- CInspiratory reserve volume and residual volume
- DTidal volume and residual volume
4.Human physiologyHard
Why does a deep sea diver risk decompression sickness when surfacing quickly?
- AThe lungs collapse when the pressure falls
- BNitrogen dissolved at high pressure forms bubbles as the pressure falls
- CCarbon dioxide cannot leave the lungs fast enough
- DOxygen becomes toxic at the surface
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
Why are stains such as iodine or methylene blue added to cells on a microscope slide?
- ATo keep the cells alive for longer
- BTo make the cells larger
- CTo make structures easier to see
- DTo make the cells divide
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Haemophilia is X-linked recessive. A carrier mother (XᴴXʰ) and an unaffected father (XᴴY) have a son. What is the probability that he has haemophilia?
- A1/4
- B1/2
- C1
- D0
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
A magnesium atom loses two electrons. What is the ion formed?
- AMg⁻
- BMg²⁺
- CMg⁺
- DMg²⁻
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Equal volumes of 1 M HCl and 1 M NaOH are mixed. What is the approximate pH of the result?
- A1
- B3.5
- C14
- D7
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Phrenic nerve
Why this is the answer
The phrenic nerve (roots C3–C5) is the motor supply to the diaphragm. High cervical cord injury above C3 therefore stops spontaneous breathing.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: D · Iliopsoas
Why this is the answer
Iliopsoas (psoas major and iliacus) is the strongest hip flexor. Gluteus maximus extends the hip.
3.Human physiology
Answer: A · Tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume
Why this is the answer
Vital capacity = IRV + TV + ERV. It excludes the residual volume, which always stays in the lungs.
A · Tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume
4.Human physiology
Answer: B · Nitrogen dissolved at high pressure forms bubbles as the pressure falls
Why this is the answer
At depth more nitrogen dissolves in the tissues. If pressure falls too fast it comes out of solution as bubbles in tissues and blood, causing "the bends".
B · Nitrogen dissolved at high pressure forms bubbles as the pressure falls
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · To make structures easier to see
Why this is the answer
Most cell parts are colourless, so stains are used to add contrast. Iodine stains starch and nuclei in plant cells, and methylene blue stains the nuclei of animal cells.
C · To make structures easier to see
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · 1/2
Why this is the answer
The son receives Y from the father and one of the mother's two X chromosomes, each with probability 1/2. If it is Xʰ he is affected.
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · Mg²⁺
Why this is the answer
Losing two electrons leaves two more protons than electrons, giving a 2+ charge. Group 2 metals form 2+ ions.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · 7
Why this is the answer
The H⁺ and OH⁻ react completely to give water and NaCl, which is neutral, so the pH is about 7.
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