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
The circle of Willis at the base of the brain connects which two arterial supplies?
- AInternal carotid and vertebrobasilar systems
- BLeft and right external carotid arteries
- CJugular and vertebral systems
- DExternal carotid and subclavian arterial systems
2.Human anatomyHard
A stab wound cuts the left half of the spinal cord at T10. Which pattern of loss is expected below the lesion?
- ALoss of all sensation and movement on the left only
- BLeft-sided weakness and loss of proprioception, right-sided loss of pain and temperature
- CRight-sided weakness and loss of proprioception, left-sided loss of pain and temperature
- DLoss of pain and temperature on both sides only
3.Human physiologyMedium
What is the main effect of aldosterone on the kidney?
- AIncreased filtration in the glomerulus
- BSodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the distal nephron
- CWater reabsorption by inserting aquaporins only
- DGlucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule
4.Human physiologyHard
Why does breathing 100% oxygen correct hypoxaemia from a true right-to-left shunt only poorly?
- AThe shunted blood never comes into contact with alveolar gas
- BThe extra oxygen is all exhaled as CO₂
- CShunted blood is already fully saturated
- DPure oxygen damages haemoglobin
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is the role of oxygen in aerobic respiration?
- AIt breaks pyruvate into lactic acid
- BIt is split to release the energy needed for glycolysis
- CIt accepts electrons at the end of the transport chain
- DIt is built into glucose molecules
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Why can O-negative red blood cells be given to patients of almost any blood type in an emergency?
- AThey carry no A, B or RhD antigens
- BThey carry all of the A, B and RhD antigens
- CTheir plasma contains anti-A and anti-B antibodies
- DThey have no haemoglobin to react with
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
At 20 °C, about 36 g of NaCl dissolves in 100 g of water. If 50 g of NaCl is stirred into 100 g of water at 20 °C, what happens?
- AAbout 36 g dissolves and about 14 g stays undissolved
- BNone of the salt dissolves
- CAbout 14 g dissolves and about 36 g stays undissolved
- DAll 50 g dissolves
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Making ammonia (N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃) is exothermic. A low temperature would give a higher yield, yet factories use a moderately high temperature. Why?
- ALow temperatures would make the ammonia explode
- BAt low temperatures the reaction is too slow to be useful
- CThe catalyst only works when the reaction is endothermic
- DHigher temperatures shift the equilibrium toward more ammonia
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: A · Internal carotid and vertebrobasilar systems
Why this is the answer
The circle of Willis links the internal carotid arteries with the basilar artery (formed by the vertebral arteries), allowing some collateral flow.
A · Internal carotid and vertebrobasilar systems
2.Human anatomy
Answer: B · Left-sided weakness and loss of proprioception, right-sided loss of pain and temperature
Why this is the answer
In Brown-Séquard syndrome the corticospinal tract and dorsal columns are lost on the same side, while the spinothalamic tract, which crosses near entry, causes contralateral pain and temperature loss.
B · Left-sided weakness and loss of proprioception, right-sided loss of pain and temperature
3.Human physiology
Answer: B · Sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the distal nephron
Why this is the answer
Aldosterone acts on the distal tubule and collecting duct to increase Na⁺ reabsorption and K⁺ secretion. Water follows the sodium, raising blood volume.
B · Sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the distal nephron
4.Human physiology
Answer: A · 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.
A · The shunted blood never comes into contact with alveolar gas
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · It accepts electrons at the end of the transport chain
Why this is the answer
Oxygen is the final electron acceptor. It combines with electrons and hydrogen ions to form water. Without oxygen the chain stops, and the cell must rely on glycolysis and fermentation.
C · It accepts electrons at the end of the transport chain
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · They carry no A, B or RhD antigens
Why this is the answer
O-negative red cells lack A, B and RhD antigens, so the recipient's antibodies have nothing to attack. This is why O negative is called the universal red cell donor.
A · They carry no A, B or RhD antigens
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · About 36 g dissolves and about 14 g stays undissolved
Why this is the answer
Only up to the solubility limit (about 36 g per 100 g water) can dissolve. The rest, about 14 g, stays as solid, and the solution above it is saturated.
A · About 36 g dissolves and about 14 g stays undissolved
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · At low temperatures the reaction is too slow to be useful
Why this is the answer
Lowering the temperature favours ammonia at equilibrium, but makes the reaction very slow. A compromise temperature with an iron catalyst gives an acceptable yield quickly. High pressure is also used to favour ammonia.
B · At low temperatures the reaction is too slow to be useful
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