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 spinal nerve roots form the brachial plexus?
- AT1 to T5
- BC1 to C4
- CC3 to C7
- DC5 to T1
2.Human anatomyHard
In the fetus, the ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary trunk to the aorta. What does it become after birth?
- ALigamentum venosum
- BLigamentum teres
- CFossa ovalis
- DLigamentum arteriosum
3.Human physiologyMedium
In which form is most carbon dioxide carried in the blood?
- ADissolved as CO₂ gas
- BBound to the haem iron
- CAs bicarbonate ions in plasma
- DAs carbonic acid in platelets
4.Human physiologyHard
A patient's arterial blood gas shows pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 7.8 kPa (59 mmHg) and normal bicarbonate. What is the most likely disturbance?
- AMetabolic acidosis
- BCompensated metabolic alkalosis
- CAcute respiratory acidosis
- DRespiratory alkalosis
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which statement best describes biological evolution?
- AMovement of animals to a new habitat each year
- BChange in the inherited traits of a population over generations
- CGrowth of an organism from a single zygote to a fully grown adult
- DChange in the body of one organism during its lifetime
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Why do cells get far more ATP from glucose when oxygen is present than when it is absent?
- AWithout oxygen, glucose cannot enter the cell or be broken down at all
- BOxygen itself is converted into ATP in the mitochondria
- CWithout oxygen the Krebs cycle runs faster but makes less ATP
- DWithout oxygen only glycolysis runs, giving a net of 2 ATP per glucose
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Why is a carbon dioxide extinguisher effective on many fires?
- ACO₂ reacts chemically with the fuel to make it non-flammable
- BCO₂ adds oxygen to cool the flames
- CCO₂ is a liquid that soaks into the fuel
- DCO₂ is denser than air and pushes oxygen away from the fire
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Why is incomplete combustion of fuel in a poorly ventilated room dangerous?
- AIt produces water vapour, which is toxic
- BIt produces nitrogen, which replaces oxygen in the blood
- CIt produces extra oxygen, which damages the lining of the lungs over time
- DIt produces carbon monoxide, which binds to haemoglobin and blocks oxygen transport
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: D · C5 to T1
Why this is the answer
The brachial plexus is formed by the ventral rami of C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1. It gives rise to the main nerves of the arm.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: D · Ligamentum arteriosum
Why this is the answer
The ductus arteriosus closes after birth and becomes the ligamentum arteriosum. The foramen ovale becomes the fossa ovalis and the ductus venosus becomes the ligamentum venosum.
D · Ligamentum arteriosum
3.Human physiology
Answer: C · As bicarbonate ions in plasma
Why this is the answer
About 70% of CO₂ is carried as bicarbonate. Carbonic anhydrase in red cells converts CO₂ and water to carbonic acid, which dissociates into H⁺ and HCO₃⁻.
C · As bicarbonate ions in plasma
4.Human physiology
Answer: C · Acute respiratory acidosis
Why this is the answer
Low pH with high CO₂ points to a respiratory acidosis. Bicarbonate has not risen yet, so the kidneys have not compensated: it is acute.
C · Acute respiratory acidosis
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · Change in the inherited traits of a population over generations
Why this is the answer
Evolution is a change in the frequency of inherited traits in a population over many generations. Growth, development and seasonal migration are changes within a lifetime and are not evolution.
B · Change in the inherited traits of a population over generations
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · Without oxygen only glycolysis runs, giving a net of 2 ATP per glucose
Why this is the answer
Glycolysis gives a net of 2 ATP. With oxygen, pyruvate is fully oxidised in the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain, which make many more ATP. Without oxygen these stages stop, and fermentation only recycles NAD⁺ so that glycolysis can continue.
D · Without oxygen only glycolysis runs, giving a net of 2 ATP per glucose
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · CO₂ is denser than air and pushes oxygen away from the fire
Why this is the answer
CO₂ does not burn and is heavier than air, so it forms a layer that cuts off oxygen from the fire. It also cools the fire as the gas expands from the cylinder.
D · CO₂ is denser than air and pushes oxygen away from the fire
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · It produces carbon monoxide, which binds to haemoglobin and blocks oxygen transport
Why this is the answer
With limited oxygen, fuels form carbon monoxide (CO) instead of CO₂. CO binds to haemoglobin far more strongly than oxygen, so less oxygen reaches the tissues. It is colourless and odourless.
D · It produces carbon monoxide, which binds to haemoglobin and blocks oxygen transport
This is independent practice material. ExamProblems is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organisation that runs this exam, and the exam name is used only to describe the content. ATI TEAS is a trademark of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC (ATI), which is not affiliated with ExamProblems and does not endorse it or vouch for its accuracy.