ATI RN
Questions for Muscular System Questions
Question 1 of 5
The smallest independently functioning biological unit of an organism is a(n)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The cell is the smallest independently functioning unit of life, capable of metabolism, reproduction, and homeostasis (e.g., a neuron firing), per cell theory. Molecules like DNA or proteins are components, not independently functional. Organs like the heart are multi-tissue structures, far larger. Tissues like muscle are cell groups, not individual units. The cell's standalone vitality, foundational in biology, makes 'a' the correct answer.
Question 2 of 5
Which part of the sarcomere in a contracted muscle decreases in size (or may disappear completely)?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a sarcomere, the functional unit of skeletal muscle, contraction occurs via the sliding filament theory, where actin (thin) and myosin (thick) filaments slide past each other. During this process, the H zone the central region of the A band with only thick filaments shortens or vanishes as thin filaments overlap it. Similarly, the I band, containing only thin filaments on either side of the Z line, narrows as actin slides toward the sarcomere's center. The A band, spanning the thick filaments' full length, remains constant because myosin doesn't shorten, while Z lines, anchoring actin, move closer together but don't disappear. This dynamic reflects muscle shortening without altering filament lengths, driven by ATP-powered cross-bridge cycling. Electron microscopy and physiological studies confirm that contraction compresses these zones, distinguishing them from static structures like the A band. Misinterpreting these changes could confuse the sarcomere's architecture, but the consistent reduction of H zones and I bands aligns with observed muscle mechanics, critical for understanding force generation.
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following steps in muscle contraction would occur first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Muscle contraction begins when a nerve impulse triggers the sarcolemma, the muscle fiber's membrane, to depolarize, generating an action potential. This electrical event, initiated by acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, spreads across the fiber's surface, reaching T-tubules invaginations that relay the signal inward. Only then does calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum occur, binding to troponin, which shifts tropomyosin to expose actin's myosin-binding sites. Filament sliding follows as myosin heads engage actin, powered by ATP. The sarcolemma's depolarization, measurable via electromyography, precedes all intracellular steps, occurring within milliseconds. Calcium release and T-tubule transmission follow sequentially, not simultaneously, as the signal propagates. Binding site exposure and sliding depend on calcium's presence, placing them later. Physiology texts sequence this: action potential (1-2 ms), T-tubule spread, calcium surge (10-20 ms), then contraction. This initial electrical trigger is foundational, distinguishing it from subsequent chemical and mechanical events in the excitation-contraction coupling cascade.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse uses a visual aid to show the pathologic muscle tone changes that result in footdrop. Those changes are:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Footdrop occurs when the ankle dorsiflexors, responsible for lifting the foot, weaken or become overstretched, often due to immobility or nerve damage. This allows the plantar flexors (calf muscles) to dominate, pulling the foot downward. The flexor muscles, including dorsiflexors like the tibialis anterior, stretch and lose tone, leading to the characteristic drooping posture. Calf muscles stretching would imply the opposite, raising the foot, which doesn't fit footdrop. Toes curling downward suggests a different condition, like claw toes, not the flaccid drop of this issue. Thigh muscle contraction is unrelated, as footdrop stems from lower leg dynamics. The visual aid highlights this imbalance, showing how flexor overstretching results in the inability to lift the foot, a key feature of the condition.
Question 5 of 5
When preparing a patient for electromyography (EMG), the nurse will instruct the patient to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EMG assesses muscle and nerve function by recording electrical activity, requiring clear signals. Caffeine, a stimulant, can increase muscle tension or jitteriness, potentially skewing results, so avoiding it for 3 hours prior is standard. Smoking cessation for 12 hours isn't typically required, as its effect on EMG is less direct. Muscle relaxants would dampen activity, defeating the test's purpose of measuring natural responses. While EMG can take time, 2 hours isn't standard for all cases, and preparation focuses more on accuracy than duration. Refraining from caffeine ensures the test reflects true neuromuscular status, making it the key instruction for reliable outcomes.