Which electrolyte is crucial for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions in the body, and is regulated by the kidneys?
Calcium
Chloride
Potassium
Phosphate
The Correct Answer is C
A. Calcium: Calcium is essential for bone health, neurotransmission, and muscle contraction (especially cardiac muscle), and is regulated by hormones (PTH, calcitonin, vitamin D) with renal involvement -important, but the key ion classically emphasized for fluid balance and skeletal/neuromuscular excitability in this context is potassium.
B. Chloride: Chloride is an anion that helps maintain fluid balance and acid–base status (often follows sodium) and is regulated by the kidneys, but it’s less commonly singled out as the primary regulator of nerve and muscle excitability.
C. Potassium: Potassium is crucial for maintaining intracellular fluid balance, normal nerve impulse conduction, and skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction; the kidneys are the main regulators of potassium excretion and homeostasis.
D. Phosphate: Phosphate is important for bone mineralization, energy metabolism (ATP), and acid–base buffering; the kidneys regulate phosphate, but phosphate is not the primary electrolyte described for nerve function and muscle contractions in the way potassium is.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Regulating body temperature of the testes:Correct -the scrotum suspends the testes and adjusts their position to keep testicular temperature slightly below core body temperature, which is necessary for optimal sperm production.
B. Storing urine:Incorrect -urine is stored in the urinary bladder, not in the scrotum.
C. Producing sperm: Incorrect -sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules inside the testes; the scrotum is a protective/powerful thermoregulatory sac, not the sperm-producing tissue.
D. Carrying sperm to the urethra: Incorrect -ducts such as the vas (ductus) deferens carry sperm toward the urethra; the scrotum does not transport sperm.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Break down ingested foods: The digestive system performs mechanical and chemical breakdown (e.g., chewing, enzymes) of ingested food.
B. Digest ingested foods to release nutrients: Digestion (chemical breakdown) releases absorbable nutrients (amino acids, monosaccharides, fatty acids).
C. Production of red blood cells: Hematopoiesis (production of RBCs) occurs mainly in bone marrow (and in fetal life the liver/spleen), not as a function of the digestive tract.
D. Excretion of waste products: The digestive system eliminates undigested material and some metabolic wastes as feces.
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