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 vessels carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
- ABronchial arteries
- BPulmonary arteries
- CVenae cavae
- DPulmonary veins
2.Human anatomyHard
A lesion of the left optic tract causes which visual field defect?
- ABlindness in the left eye only
- BRight homonymous hemianopia
- CLeft homonymous hemianopia
- DBitemporal hemianopia
3.Human physiologyMedium
Which hormone makes the gallbladder contract after a fatty meal?
- ACholecystokinin (CCK)
- BGastrin
- CInsulin
- DSecretin
4.Human physiologyHard
After a head injury, a patient passes large volumes of very dilute urine and plasma sodium rises. What is the most likely cause?
- ALack of ADH release (cranial diabetes insipidus)
- BExcess ADH release (SIADH)
- CExcess aldosterone
- DUncontrolled diabetes mellitus
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
A DNA template strand reads T-A-C. What is the matching mRNA codon?
- AA-T-G
- BA-U-G
- CU-T-G
- DT-A-C
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Why can a scientific hypothesis never be proven true with absolute certainty?
- AScientists are not allowed to reach any conclusions
- BNew evidence could always contradict it in the future
- CEvery experiment contains a mistake
- DHypotheses are only opinions and cannot be tested
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
How many oxygen atoms are in one formula unit of calcium nitrate, Ca(NO₃)₂?
- A5
- B2
- C3
- D6
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Zinc reacts as Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂. What mass of zinc (65 g/mol) reacts completely with 50 mL of 2 M HCl?
- A6.5 g
- B1.63 g
- C3.25 g
- D65 g
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: D · Pulmonary veins
Why this is the answer
Four pulmonary veins drain oxygenated blood into the left atrium. They are the main exception to the rule that veins carry deoxygenated blood.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: B · Right homonymous hemianopia
Why this is the answer
The left optic tract carries fibres from the left half of each retina, which see the right visual field. Its lesion causes loss of the right half of the field in both eyes.
B · Right homonymous hemianopia
3.Human physiology
Answer: A · Cholecystokinin (CCK)
Why this is the answer
Fat and protein in the duodenum release CCK, which contracts the gallbladder and stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion.
A · Cholecystokinin (CCK)
4.Human physiology
Answer: A · Lack of ADH release (cranial diabetes insipidus)
Why this is the answer
Without ADH the collecting ducts stay impermeable to water, so dilute urine is produced and the patient loses free water, raising plasma sodium.
A · Lack of ADH release (cranial diabetes insipidus)
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · A-U-G
Why this is the answer
RNA polymerase pairs each template base with its RNA partner: T→A, A→U and C→G, giving AUG, the start codon.
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · New evidence could always contradict it in the future
Why this is the answer
Evidence can support a hypothesis or show it to be false, but there is always the chance of a future result that does not fit. For this reason, scientific conclusions remain open to revision.
B · New evidence could always contradict it in the future
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · 6
Why this is the answer
Each NO₃⁻ contains 3 oxygen atoms, and the subscript 2 doubles the bracket: 2 × 3 = 6 oxygen atoms. The unit also has 1 Ca and 2 N.
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: C · 3.25 g
Why this is the answer
Moles HCl = 2 × 0.050 = 0.10 mol. Zinc needed = 0.10 ÷ 2 = 0.050 mol. Mass = 0.050 × 65 = 3.25 g. Forgetting the ratio gives 6.5 g.