NAGELHOUT CHAPTER 15: CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
FOR NURSE ANESTHESIA ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+| FREQUENTLY
MOST TESTED QUESTIONS,HIGLY RATIONALIZED AND
WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS | BRAND NEW VERSION!!!
Question 1
A nurse anesthetist is reviewing basic chemistry before administering
medications. Which statement best describes an element?
A. A substance composed of two or more different atoms chemically combined
B. A molecule that can be broken into simpler substances by ordinary chemical
reactions
C. A pure substance composed of only one type of atom
D. A mixture of substances dissolved in water
Correct Answer:
C. A pure substance composed of only one type of atom
Rationale
An element is the simplest form of matter that cannot be broken down into a
simpler substance by ordinary chemical means. Each element is composed of
only one type of atom and is identified by its unique number of protons (atomic
number).
Examples include:
• Oxygen (O)
• Hydrogen (H)
• Carbon (C)
, • Nitrogen (N)
• Sodium (Na)
Elements serve as the building blocks for all biological molecules.
Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect
A. This describes a compound.
B. Elements cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances.
D. This describes a solution.
Clinical Pearl
Approximately 96% of the human body is composed of four elements:
• Oxygen
• Carbon
• Hydrogen
• Nitrogen
Question 2
Which statement correctly describes a compound?
A. It contains only one type of atom.
B. It is composed of two or more different elements chemically combined.
C. It is always held together by ionic bonds only.
D. It cannot be separated chemically.
Correct Answer:
B. It is composed of two or more different elements chemically combined.
Rationale
A compound consists of two or more different elements chemically bonded in
fixed proportions.
Examples include:
• Water (H₂O)
, • Sodium chloride (NaCl)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)
Compounds have properties that differ from those of the individual elements
that compose them.
Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect
• A. Describes an element.
• C. Compounds may be formed by ionic or covalent bonds.
• D. Compounds can be broken down through chemical reactions.
💡 Clinical Pearl
Most medications are compounds consisting of multiple elements arranged in
specific chemical structures.
Question 3
A molecule is best defined as:
A. Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds
B. A positively charged ion
C. A substance dissolved in water
D. A compound containing only metals
Correct Answer:
A. Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds
Rationale
A molecule consists of two or more atoms joined together by covalent bonds, in
which atoms share electrons.
Examples include:
• Oxygen (O₂)
• Water (H₂O)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
, Not all compounds are molecules. For example, NaCl is an ionic compound but
is not considered a molecule because it forms an ionic crystal lattice rather than
discrete molecules.
Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect
• Positive ions are cations.
• Solutes are dissolved substances.
• Metals generally do not form molecules.
Clinical Pearl
Water is the most abundant molecule in the human body.
Question 4
A nursing student prepares intravenous saline. The solute is:
A. Water
B. Sodium chloride
C. Plasma
D. Blood
Correct Answer:
B. Sodium chloride
Rationale
A solute is the substance being dissolved.
In normal saline:
• Sodium chloride = solute
• Water = solvent
The solute is usually present in a smaller amount than the solvent.
Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect
Water acts as the solvent.
Clinical Pearl
FOR NURSE ANESTHESIA ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+| FREQUENTLY
MOST TESTED QUESTIONS,HIGLY RATIONALIZED AND
WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS | BRAND NEW VERSION!!!
Question 1
A nurse anesthetist is reviewing basic chemistry before administering
medications. Which statement best describes an element?
A. A substance composed of two or more different atoms chemically combined
B. A molecule that can be broken into simpler substances by ordinary chemical
reactions
C. A pure substance composed of only one type of atom
D. A mixture of substances dissolved in water
Correct Answer:
C. A pure substance composed of only one type of atom
Rationale
An element is the simplest form of matter that cannot be broken down into a
simpler substance by ordinary chemical means. Each element is composed of
only one type of atom and is identified by its unique number of protons (atomic
number).
Examples include:
• Oxygen (O)
• Hydrogen (H)
• Carbon (C)
, • Nitrogen (N)
• Sodium (Na)
Elements serve as the building blocks for all biological molecules.
Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect
A. This describes a compound.
B. Elements cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances.
D. This describes a solution.
Clinical Pearl
Approximately 96% of the human body is composed of four elements:
• Oxygen
• Carbon
• Hydrogen
• Nitrogen
Question 2
Which statement correctly describes a compound?
A. It contains only one type of atom.
B. It is composed of two or more different elements chemically combined.
C. It is always held together by ionic bonds only.
D. It cannot be separated chemically.
Correct Answer:
B. It is composed of two or more different elements chemically combined.
Rationale
A compound consists of two or more different elements chemically bonded in
fixed proportions.
Examples include:
• Water (H₂O)
, • Sodium chloride (NaCl)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)
Compounds have properties that differ from those of the individual elements
that compose them.
Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect
• A. Describes an element.
• C. Compounds may be formed by ionic or covalent bonds.
• D. Compounds can be broken down through chemical reactions.
💡 Clinical Pearl
Most medications are compounds consisting of multiple elements arranged in
specific chemical structures.
Question 3
A molecule is best defined as:
A. Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds
B. A positively charged ion
C. A substance dissolved in water
D. A compound containing only metals
Correct Answer:
A. Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds
Rationale
A molecule consists of two or more atoms joined together by covalent bonds, in
which atoms share electrons.
Examples include:
• Oxygen (O₂)
• Water (H₂O)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
, Not all compounds are molecules. For example, NaCl is an ionic compound but
is not considered a molecule because it forms an ionic crystal lattice rather than
discrete molecules.
Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect
• Positive ions are cations.
• Solutes are dissolved substances.
• Metals generally do not form molecules.
Clinical Pearl
Water is the most abundant molecule in the human body.
Question 4
A nursing student prepares intravenous saline. The solute is:
A. Water
B. Sodium chloride
C. Plasma
D. Blood
Correct Answer:
B. Sodium chloride
Rationale
A solute is the substance being dissolved.
In normal saline:
• Sodium chloride = solute
• Water = solvent
The solute is usually present in a smaller amount than the solvent.
Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect
Water acts as the solvent.
Clinical Pearl
