**Exam Title:** NLN PAX-RN Pre-Nursing
Comprehensive Exam – Science & Math
Integration (120 Questions – A Grade Edge)
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**1. Which of the following is the primary function of the ribosomes?**
A) Lipid synthesis
B) Protein synthesis
C) ATP production
D) DNA replication
💡 **RATIONALE** – Ribosomes translate mRNA into polypeptide chains (proteins). They are found free
in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Protein synthesis
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**2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is a priority to
monitor?**
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypermagnesemia
(D) Hypernatremia
💡 **RATIONALE** – Furosemide (loop diuretic) causes potassium wasting in the loop of Henle →
hypokalemia risk (arrhythmias, muscle weakness).
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Hypokalemia
,---
**3. Which of the following is an example of a homozygous recessive genotype?**
A) TT
B) Tt
C) tt
D) tT
💡 **RATIONALE** – Homozygous recessive = two identical recessive alleles (tt). TT = homozygous
dominant; Tt = heterozygous.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) tt
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**4. Which structure in the nephron is primarily responsible for filtration of blood?**
A) Loop of Henle
B) Distal convoluted tubule
C) Glomerulus
D) Collecting duct
💡 **RATIONALE** – The glomerulus is a capillary network where blood pressure forces water and
solutes into Bowman’s capsule (filtration).
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Glomerulus
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**5. A patient’s lab shows hemoglobin 7.8 g/dL, hematocrit 23%, MCV 72 fL. This indicates:**
A) Macrocytic anemia
,B) Normocytic anemia
C) Microcytic anemia
D) Polycythemia
💡 **RATIONALE** – Low MCV (<80) = microcytic anemia (iron deficiency, thalassemia). High MCV
(>100) = macrocytic (B12/folate deficiency).
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Microcytic anemia
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**6. Which of the following is a function of the liver?**
A) Produces insulin
B) Synthesizes clotting factors
C) Stores urine
D) Filters air
💡 **RATIONALE** – The liver synthesizes most clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X). Insulin = pancreas; urine =
bladder; air filtration = respiratory tract.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Synthesizes clotting factors
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**7. Which of the following best describes the function of the hypothalamus?**
A) Controls balance and coordination
B) Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and the pituitary gland
C) Controls conscious thought and memory
D) Regulates heart rate and breathing
, 💡 **RATIONALE** – The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis: thermoregulation, osmoregulation,
appetite, and controls the pituitary via releasing hormones.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and the pituitary gland
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**8. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which dietary instruction is most important?**
A) Increase intake of leafy green vegetables
B) Avoid grapefruit juice
C) Maintain consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods
D) Take with a high-fat meal
💡 **RATIONALE** – Sudden changes in vitamin K intake alter INR and warfarin effect. Consistency, not
avoidance, is key unless intake is excessive.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Maintain consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods
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**9. Which of the following is the monomer of proteins?**
A) Nucleotide
B) Monosaccharide
C) Amino acid
D) Fatty acid
💡 **RATIONALE** – Proteins are polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Nucleotides =
nucleic acids; monosaccharides = carbohydrates; fatty acids = lipids.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Amino acid
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Comprehensive Exam – Science & Math
Integration (120 Questions – A Grade Edge)
---
**1. Which of the following is the primary function of the ribosomes?**
A) Lipid synthesis
B) Protein synthesis
C) ATP production
D) DNA replication
💡 **RATIONALE** – Ribosomes translate mRNA into polypeptide chains (proteins). They are found free
in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Protein synthesis
---
**2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is a priority to
monitor?**
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypermagnesemia
(D) Hypernatremia
💡 **RATIONALE** – Furosemide (loop diuretic) causes potassium wasting in the loop of Henle →
hypokalemia risk (arrhythmias, muscle weakness).
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Hypokalemia
,---
**3. Which of the following is an example of a homozygous recessive genotype?**
A) TT
B) Tt
C) tt
D) tT
💡 **RATIONALE** – Homozygous recessive = two identical recessive alleles (tt). TT = homozygous
dominant; Tt = heterozygous.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) tt
---
**4. Which structure in the nephron is primarily responsible for filtration of blood?**
A) Loop of Henle
B) Distal convoluted tubule
C) Glomerulus
D) Collecting duct
💡 **RATIONALE** – The glomerulus is a capillary network where blood pressure forces water and
solutes into Bowman’s capsule (filtration).
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Glomerulus
---
**5. A patient’s lab shows hemoglobin 7.8 g/dL, hematocrit 23%, MCV 72 fL. This indicates:**
A) Macrocytic anemia
,B) Normocytic anemia
C) Microcytic anemia
D) Polycythemia
💡 **RATIONALE** – Low MCV (<80) = microcytic anemia (iron deficiency, thalassemia). High MCV
(>100) = macrocytic (B12/folate deficiency).
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Microcytic anemia
---
**6. Which of the following is a function of the liver?**
A) Produces insulin
B) Synthesizes clotting factors
C) Stores urine
D) Filters air
💡 **RATIONALE** – The liver synthesizes most clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X). Insulin = pancreas; urine =
bladder; air filtration = respiratory tract.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Synthesizes clotting factors
---
**7. Which of the following best describes the function of the hypothalamus?**
A) Controls balance and coordination
B) Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and the pituitary gland
C) Controls conscious thought and memory
D) Regulates heart rate and breathing
, 💡 **RATIONALE** – The hypothalamus maintains homeostasis: thermoregulation, osmoregulation,
appetite, and controls the pituitary via releasing hormones.
✔️ **ANSWER** – B) Regulates body temperature, hunger, thirst, and the pituitary gland
---
**8. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which dietary instruction is most important?**
A) Increase intake of leafy green vegetables
B) Avoid grapefruit juice
C) Maintain consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods
D) Take with a high-fat meal
💡 **RATIONALE** – Sudden changes in vitamin K intake alter INR and warfarin effect. Consistency, not
avoidance, is key unless intake is excessive.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Maintain consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods
---
**9. Which of the following is the monomer of proteins?**
A) Nucleotide
B) Monosaccharide
C) Amino acid
D) Fatty acid
💡 **RATIONALE** – Proteins are polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Nucleotides =
nucleic acids; monosaccharides = carbohydrates; fatty acids = lipids.
✔️ **ANSWER** – C) Amino acid
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