NCLEX : General Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #461 : Nclex

Which of the following foods would be unsafe to consume for a patient taking atorvastatin?

Possible Answers:

Orange juice

Dark leafy greens

Grapefruit

Fish

Correct answer:

Grapefruit

Explanation:

Grapefruit can decrease the activity of cytochrome P450, one of the body's most important detoxification pathways, by as much as 30%. Consumption of grapefruit while on certain medications, including atorvastatin, can lead to toxic levels of the drug. All other foods listed are safe for patients to consume while taking atorvastatin.

Example Question #462 : Nclex

Which of the following foods should be avoided in patients who are taking a potassium sparing diuretic, such as Amiloride?

Possible Answers:

Tree nuts

Alcohol

Orange juice

Red meat

Correct answer:

Orange juice

Explanation:

Patients who are taking potassium sparing diuretics must be counseled to eat a diet low in potassium. This is due to the fact that consumption of potassium-rich foods, such as orange juice, can lead to dangerously high potassium levels. Excess potassium levels can cause heart arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death.

Example Question #467 : Nclex

A low potassium diet would be recommended for a patient with which of the following conditions?

Possible Answers:

Gallstones

Diabetic neuropathy

Liver failure

Kidney failure

Correct answer:

Kidney failure

Explanation:

The kidney is the main route of potassium excretion in the body. During kidney failure, the kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium from the blood. This can lead to hyperkalemia, which can cause nausea, weakness, numbness, arrhythmia, and cardiac arrest.

Example Question #34 : Nutrition

Allicin, a compound with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombotic properties, is found in which of the following foods? 

Possible Answers:

Broccoli

Cocoa

Cold water fish

Garlic

Correct answer:

Garlic

Explanation:

Allicin is found primarily in garlic, and has a variety of properties that are beneficial to the health. It is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, it can reduce atherosclerosis, decrease blood pressure, and act as a mild antioxidant.

Example Question #463 : Nclex

Which of the following is the best source of omega 3 fatty acids?

Possible Answers:

Wheat germ oil

Shrimp

Grapeseed oil

Ground flax seeds

Correct answer:

Ground flax seeds

Explanation:

Half an ounce of ground flax seeds provides over 130% of the dietary reference intake (DRI) of omega 3 fatty acids. An equivalent serving of shrimp is able to provide 15% of the DRI. Wheat germ oil and grapeseed oil are both good sources of omega 6 fatty acids but are not significant sources of omega 3 fatty acids.

Example Question #161 : Other General Biology

Which of the following is thought to reduce pain by depletion of substance P when applied topically? 

Possible Answers:

Capsaicin

Curcumin

Polypeptide-P

Charantin

Correct answer:

Capsaicin

Explanation:

Capsaicin, found in cayenne peppers and other species of plants in the genus Capsicum, is used in topical analgesic creams to reduce joint and muscular pain. It is thought to work by depletion of substance P in the sensory nerves.

Example Question #471 : Nclex

What three parts does the brain stem consist of?

Possible Answers:

Midbrain, cerebellum, pons

Medulla, pons, and midbrain

Corpus callosum, medulla, and cerebellum

Pons, cerebellum, medulla

Correct answer:

Medulla, pons, and midbrain

Explanation:

The brain stem consists of the medulla, the pons, and the midbrain. The cerebellum is an outgrowth posterior to the pons. The corpus callosum is the broad bundle of neural fibers that attaches the left hemisphere of the brain to the right hemisphere.

Example Question #162 : Other General Biology

Olfaction is what form of sensory reception?

Possible Answers:

Mechanoreception

Baroreception

Chemoreception

Thermoreception

Correct answer:

Chemoreception

Explanation:

Olfaction is form of chemoreception, or a translation of a chemical signal into an action potential. Smells are triggered by molecules of volatile chemicals that trigger chemoreceptors in the epithelium of the olfactory cleft. 

Example Question #2 : Other Biology Concepts

Olfactory nerves travel through what structure in order to enter the skull?

Possible Answers:

The crista galli

The cribiform plate

The perpendicular plate of the ethmoid

The ethmoidal labyrinth

Correct answer:

The cribiform plate

Explanation:

The olfactory nerves travel through the cribiform plate of the ethmoid bone. The grooves of the cribiform plate support the olfactory bulb, and the bone is perforated by many tiny foramen for transmission of the olfactory nerves from the epithelium of the nasal cavity to the olfactory bulb.

The other structures listed are all bony features of the ethmoid bone, but they do not allow the passage of olfactory nerves.

Example Question #2 : Other Biology Concepts

Approximately how many action potentials must be triggered in an olfactory receptor neuron in order for a smell to be detected?

Possible Answers:

200-250

40-50

2-5

1

80-100

Correct answer:

40-50

Explanation:

Olfactory receptor neurons require 7-8 molecules of a volatile odorant to trigger an action potential, and approximately 40 action potentials must be triggered in an olfactory receptor neuron in order for a smell to be detected. 

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