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 C
Explanation
A. Mastication: Mastication is the mechanical chewing of food that occurs in the mouth to break food into smaller pieces -not related to bile emulsifying fats.
B. Peristalsis: Peristalsis are wave-like smooth muscle contractions that propel contents through the GI tract -helps move chyme but does not chemically/physically disperse fat droplets like bile does.
C. Emulsification: Emulsification is the process by which bile salts surround and break large fat globules into many small droplets, increasing surface area for lipase action.
D. Deglutition: Deglutition is the act of swallowing, moving a bolus from the mouth into the pharynx and esophagus -not the process of bile acting on lipids.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Bulbourethral gland: Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands produce a clear mucous pre-ejaculate that lubricates the urethra and can neutralize small amounts of urine but do not produce the milky, nutrient-rich fluid described.
B. Skene's gland: Skene’s glands are female periurethral glands (not male) and are not involved in semen production.
C. Bartholin's gland: Bartholin’s glands are female vestibular glands producing lubrication during arousal -not involved in male semen.
D. Prostate gland: The prostate secretes a slightly alkaline, milky fluid that nourishes/protects sperm and helps neutralize the acidic vaginal environment .
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