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 is the outermost layer of the meninges?
- AArachnoid mater
- BDura mater
- CChoroid plexus
- DPia mater
2.Human anatomyHard
Which ligament of the knee prevents the tibia from sliding forward relative to the femur?
- APosterior cruciate ligament
- BAnterior cruciate ligament
- CMedial collateral ligament
- DPatellar ligament
3.Human physiologyMedium
How does glucagon raise blood glucose?
- AIt slows glucose absorption from the gut
- BIt stimulates glucose uptake by muscle
- CIt stimulates glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis in the liver
- DIt blocks insulin receptors on fat cells
4.Human physiologyHard
Which spirometry finding is typical of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
- AFEV1/FVC ratio above 0.9 with low FVC
- BFEV1/FVC ratio below 0.7
- CNormal FEV1 with low FVC
- DIncreased peak expiratory flow
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which of these is part of the body's innate (non-specific) defence?
- AThe skin and stomach acid
- BMemory B cells from an earlier infection
- CAntibodies made after vaccination
- DT cells that recognise one virus
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
A solution contains 5 mg of a substance in every millilitre. How many milligrams are in 0.02 L of the solution?
- A100 mg
- B10 mg
- C1000 mg
- D0.1 mg
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
What is the formula of aluminium oxide, made of Al³⁺ and O²⁻ ions?
- AAlO₃
- BAl₃O₂
- CAl₂O₃
- DAlO
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
What type of bonding is found in a piece of copper wire?
- AIonic bonding between copper and chloride ions
- BHydrogen bonding between copper atoms
- CCovalent bonding with shared pairs between two atoms only
- DMetallic bonding: ions in a sea of electrons
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: B · Dura mater
Why this is the answer
From outside in the meninges are dura, arachnoid and pia mater. Cerebrospinal fluid flows in the subarachnoid space between arachnoid and pia.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: B · Anterior cruciate ligament
Why this is the answer
The anterior cruciate ligament limits anterior translation of the tibia; a positive anterior drawer or Lachman test suggests an ACL tear.
B · Anterior cruciate ligament
3.Human physiology
Answer: C · It stimulates glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis in the liver
Why this is the answer
Glucagon from alpha cells acts on the liver to break down glycogen and make new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.
C · It stimulates glycogen breakdown and gluconeogenesis in the liver
4.Human physiology
Answer: B · FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.7
Why this is the answer
Narrowed airways slow expiration, so FEV1 falls more than FVC and the ratio drops below 0.7. In COPD this is not fully reversed by bronchodilators.
B · FEV1/FVC ratio below 0.7
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · The skin and stomach acid
Why this is the answer
Innate defences include physical and chemical barriers such as skin, mucus and stomach acid, plus phagocytes and inflammation. Antibodies, memory cells and specific T cells belong to adaptive immunity.
A · The skin and stomach acid
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · 100 mg
Why this is the answer
0.02 L = 20 mL. At 5 mg per mL, 20 × 5 = 100 mg.
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · Al₂O₃
Why this is the answer
Two Al³⁺ give +6 and three O²⁻ give −6, so the neutral formula is Al₂O₃.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Metallic bonding: ions in a sea of electrons
Why this is the answer
In metallic bonding, valence electrons are delocalised among a lattice of metal cations. The free electrons carry current and let the metal bend without breaking.
D · Metallic bonding: ions in a sea of electrons