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 two regions of the adult spine normally show a lordosis (curve concave towards the back)?
- AThoracic and lumbar
- BThoracic and sacral
- CCervical and lumbar
- DCervical and thoracic
2.Human anatomyHard
After an injury at the medial epicondyle of the elbow, a patient has numbness of the little finger and weakness of finger abduction. Which nerve is affected?
- AMusculocutaneous nerve
- BRadial nerve
- CUlnar nerve
- DMedian nerve
3.Human physiologyMedium
Which hormone is released by the adrenal cortex in response to ACTH?
- AAldosterone, as the main response
- BAdrenaline
- CCortisol
- DThyroxine
4.Human physiologyHard
Why does left ventricular failure cause pulmonary oedema?
- ARaised left atrial pressure increases pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
- BPlasma oncotic pressure in the lungs rises sharply
- CThe right ventricle pumps less blood into the lungs
- DThe bronchial arteries become blocked
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
A bone marrow transplant can treat some blood cancers. Why does it work?
- AThe donor red cells divide to make more red cells
- BThe donor marrow contains antibiotics that kill cancer
- CThe donor stem cells produce new, healthy blood cells
- DThe transplant replaces the patient's bones
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
A human body cell has 46 chromosomes in G1. How many chromatids does it have at metaphase of mitosis?
- A46
- B23
- C92
- D184
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is nuclear fission?
- AThe loss of electrons from an atom
- BThe splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei
- CThe burning of uranium in oxygen
- DThe joining of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Why are the radioactive tracers used for medical imaging usually chosen to have short half-lives?
- AThey emit only alpha particles, which are harmless inside the body
- BThey give a strong signal for imaging but leave the body's tissues exposed only briefly
- CThey stay active for many years, so a single dose can be used for every future scan
- DShort half-life isotopes are not radioactive
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Cervical and lumbar
Why this is the answer
The cervical and lumbar regions are lordotic (secondary curves). The thoracic and sacral regions are kyphotic (primary curves).
2.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Ulnar nerve
Why this is the answer
The ulnar nerve passes behind the medial epicondyle. It supplies most intrinsic hand muscles, including the interossei, and the skin of the little finger.
3.Human physiology
Answer: C · Cortisol
Why this is the answer
ACTH from the anterior pituitary stimulates cortisol release from the zona fasciculata. Adrenaline comes from the adrenal medulla.
4.Human physiology
Answer: A · Raised left atrial pressure increases pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
Why this is the answer
A failing left ventricle backs up pressure into the left atrium and pulmonary veins. High capillary hydrostatic pressure pushes fluid into the lung interstitium and alveoli.
A · Raised left atrial pressure increases pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · The donor stem cells produce new, healthy blood cells
Why this is the answer
Bone marrow contains haematopoietic stem cells, which give rise to all blood cell types. Transplanted stem cells can rebuild a healthy blood-forming system.
C · The donor stem cells produce new, healthy blood cells
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · 92
Why this is the answer
After S phase each of the 46 chromosomes is made of two sister chromatids, so there are 92 chromatids at metaphase. They separate in anaphase, giving each daughter cell 46 chromosomes.
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · The splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei
Why this is the answer
In fission, a heavy nucleus such as uranium-235 absorbs a neutron and splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing neutrons and a large amount of energy.
B · The splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · They give a strong signal for imaging but leave the body's tissues exposed only briefly
Why this is the answer
A short half-life means the tracer is active long enough for the scan and then quickly decays, which limits the patient's total radiation dose. Gamma emitters are preferred because gamma rays escape the body to reach the camera.
B · They give a strong signal for imaging but leave the body's tissues exposed only briefly