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
In which part of the nephron does most reabsorption of water and sodium take place?
- ACollecting duct
- BDistal convoluted tubule
- CProximal convoluted tubule
- DLoop of Henle
2.Human anatomyHard
When a patient stands on the right leg only, the left side of the pelvis drops (positive Trendelenburg sign). Which nerve is most likely damaged?
- ALeft superior gluteal nerve
- BRight superior gluteal nerve
- CRight femoral nerve
- DRight inferior gluteal nerve
3.Human physiologyMedium
Vital capacity is the sum of which lung volumes?
- ATidal volume and residual volume
- BResidual volume and expiratory reserve volume
- CTidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume
- DInspiratory reserve volume and residual volume
4.Human physiologyHard
Why does breathing 100% oxygen correct hypoxaemia from a true right-to-left shunt only poorly?
- AThe extra oxygen is all exhaled as CO₂
- BThe shunted blood never comes into contact with alveolar gas
- CShunted blood is already fully saturated
- DPure oxygen damages haemoglobin
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
A tablet contains 2.5 g of a substance. How many milligrams is this?
- A2500 mg
- B25 mg
- C0.0025 mg
- D250 mg
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
A single bacterium divides every 20 minutes. If none die, how many bacteria are there after 2 hours?
- A64
- B32
- C12
- D128
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
An exothermic reaction is at equilibrium. What happens if the temperature is raised?
- AThe equilibrium does not change
- BThe equilibrium shifts toward the reactants
- CThe reaction becomes endothermic
- DThe equilibrium shifts toward the products, raising the yield
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Element A has 1 valence electron and element B has 7 valence electrons, both in period 3. Which statement best compares them?
- AA is a nonmetal and B is a metal
- BA is a reactive metal and B is a reactive nonmetal
- CBoth are metalloids
- DBoth are unreactive because they are in the same period
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Proximal convoluted tubule
Why this is the answer
The proximal convoluted tubule reabsorbs about two thirds of the filtered sodium and water, plus nearly all glucose and amino acids.
C · Proximal convoluted tubule
2.Human anatomy
Answer: B · Right superior gluteal nerve
Why this is the answer
The superior gluteal nerve supplies gluteus medius and minimus. If those of the standing (right) leg are weak, the pelvis sags on the opposite, unsupported side.
B · Right superior gluteal nerve
3.Human physiology
Answer: C · 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.
C · Tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume
4.Human physiology
Answer: B · The shunted blood never comes into contact with alveolar gas
Why this is the answer
Shunted blood bypasses ventilated alveoli and mixes deoxygenated blood into arterial blood. Extra inspired oxygen cannot reach it, unlike in V/Q mismatch or hypoventilation.
B · The shunted blood never comes into contact with alveolar gas
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · 2500 mg
Why this is the answer
To convert grams to milligrams, multiply by 1000: 2.5 × 1000 = 2500 mg.
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · 64
Why this is the answer
Two hours contain 6 periods of 20 minutes, and the number doubles each time: 2⁶ = 64.
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · The equilibrium shifts toward the reactants
Why this is the answer
For an exothermic reaction, heat is like a product. Adding heat shifts the equilibrium backward to absorb it, so the yield of products falls.
B · The equilibrium shifts toward the reactants
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · A is a reactive metal and B is a reactive nonmetal
Why this is the answer
Period 3 with 1 valence electron is sodium, a reactive metal; with 7 it is chlorine, a reactive nonmetal. They react with each other to form the ionic compound NaCl.
B · A is a reactive metal and B is a reactive nonmetal