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 nerve is compressed in carpal tunnel syndrome?
- AUlnar nerve
- BMusculocutaneous nerve
- CRadial nerve
- DMedian nerve
2.Human anatomyHard
A patient cannot abduct the arm beyond about 15° after a fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus, and has numbness over the lateral shoulder. Which nerve is most likely injured?
- AAxillary nerve
- BRadial nerve
- CLong thoracic nerve
- DSuprascapular nerve
3.Human physiologyMedium
What is the main function of pulmonary surfactant?
- ATo trap dust in the bronchi
- BTo carry oxygen across the alveolar wall
- CTo kill bacteria in the airways
- DTo reduce surface tension in the alveoli
4.Human physiologyHard
A pulmonary embolus blocks blood flow to a well-ventilated region of lung. How does the ventilation–perfusion (V/Q) ratio of that region change?
- AIt becomes very high, acting as dead space
- BIt stays normal because ventilation falls too
- CIt becomes low, like in pneumonia
- DIt becomes zero, acting as a shunt
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
In disease spread, what is a vector?
- AA blood test used to detect antibodies
- BA medicine that destroys a pathogen in the body
- CThe first person to catch a disease
- DAn organism that carries a pathogen between hosts
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
A leaf with green and white areas is kept in light and then tested with iodine. Only the green areas turn blue-black. What does this show?
- AIodine destroys chlorophyll in the leaf
- BWhite areas store more starch than green areas
- CLight is not needed for photosynthesis
- DChlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
A red blood cell is placed in a concentrated (hypertonic) salt solution. What happens?
- AWater leaves the cell, which shrinks
- BWater enters the cell, which swells and may burst
- CSalt leaves the cell, which swells
- DThe cell stays the same size and shape
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Which of these is a weak acid?
- ASulfuric acid
- BHydrochloric acid
- CNitric acid
- DAcetic acid (in vinegar)
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: D · Median nerve
Why this is the answer
The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel under the flexor retinaculum; compression causes tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: A · Axillary nerve
Why this is the answer
The axillary nerve wraps around the surgical neck of the humerus. It supplies deltoid and teres minor and the skin over the lateral shoulder ("regimental badge" area).
3.Human physiology
Answer: D · To reduce surface tension in the alveoli
Why this is the answer
Surfactant, made by type II alveolar cells, lowers surface tension so alveoli do not collapse and the lungs are easier to inflate.
D · To reduce surface tension in the alveoli
4.Human physiology
Answer: A · It becomes very high, acting as dead space
Why this is the answer
Ventilation without perfusion gives a very high V/Q ratio (dead space). A shunt, such as in pneumonia, is the opposite: perfusion without ventilation.
A · It becomes very high, acting as dead space
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · An organism that carries a pathogen between hosts
Why this is the answer
A vector, such as a mosquito, tick or flea, carries pathogens between hosts. Controlling vectors, for example with bed nets, is a key way to prevent diseases like malaria.
D · An organism that carries a pathogen between hosts
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis
Why this is the answer
Iodine turns blue-black in the presence of starch, a product of photosynthesis. Starch formed only in the green parts, which contain chlorophyll, so chlorophyll is required.
D · Chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Water leaves the cell, which shrinks
Why this is the answer
The outside solution has more solute than the cell, so water moves out of the cell by osmosis. The cell shrivels, which is called crenation.
A · Water leaves the cell, which shrinks
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Acetic acid (in vinegar)
Why this is the answer
Acetic acid releases only a small fraction of its hydrogen ions. HCl, HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ are strong acids that ionise fully.
D · Acetic acid (in vinegar)
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