REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN Peace-Work-Fatherland

Paix-Travail-Patrie ………………….
…………………. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
MINISTERE DE L’ENSEIGNEMENT SUPERIEUR
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE
COMMISSION NATIONALE D’ORGANISATION DE L’EXAMEN ORGANISATION OF HIGHER NATIONAL
HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA EXAM (HND) DIPLOMA EXAM (HND)
………………….
National Exam of Higher National Diploma 2025 Session
Speciality/option: NUS, MLS, PHT, OPT, PHY, NUD
Paper: Basic Sciences
Duration: 3 hours Credit: 4/6/9

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
You are reminded of the necessity for orderly presentation of your material and good English.
Answer all questions in serial order on the answer booklet provided.
National Exam of Higher National Diploma 2025 Session – Pre HND

SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (50 Marks)

Write down ONLY the letter corresponding to the correct answer

Anatomy and Physiology (20 marks)

1. The cranial cavity contains the following EXCEPT: A. Cerebrum B. Cerebellum C.

Spinal cord D. Thalamus

2. _____ is a protein that provides structural support and elasticity to tissues: A. Elastin
B. Keratin C. Fibrinogen D. Myosin

3. The main function of the cell nucleus is: A. Protein synthesis B. ATP production C.
Storage of genetic material D. Cell movement

4. Large molecules such as proteins are transported across the cell membrane by: A.
Exocytosis B. Osmosis C. Facilitated diffusion D. Simple diffusion

5. _____ is the layer of the epidermis that contains dead cells filled with keratin. A.
Stratum corneum B. Stratum lucidum C. Stratum spinosum D. Stratum basale

6. The process of returning the body to normal after a stress response is called: A.
Negative feedback B. Positive feedback C. Antagonistic response D. Compensation

7. The vertebral column contains ______ thoracic vertebrae? A. 5 B. 7 C. 12 D. 24

8. The fluid inside muscle cells is called: A. Sarcoplasm B. Sarcolemma C. Cytosol D.

Myoplasm

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 9. ______ is the layer of the wall of the blood vessels that contains smooth muscle: A.
Tunica intima B. Tunica media C. Tunica adventitia D. Endothelium

10. The part of the small intestine that connects to the stomach is the: A. Ileum B.
Jejunum C. Duodenum D. Cecum

11. The type of teeth used primarily for grinding food are called: A. Incisors B. Canines
C. Premolars D. Molars

12. After consumption of a carbohydrate-rich meal, which of the following contains the
highest concentration of glucose? A. Hepatic portal vein B. Pulmonary vein C.
Lymphatic system D. Renal vein

13. How many lobes does the pituitary gland have? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

14. Which vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs? A. Aorta B.
Coronary artery C. Pulmonary artery D. Pulmonary vein

15. Blood type AB individuals: A. Have neither antigen A nor B on their erythrocytes B.
Have both antigens A and B on their erythrocytes C. Have both anti-A and anti-B
antibodies circulating in their blood plasma D. Are considered universal donors

16. All veins carry deoxygenated blood except: A. The inferior vena cava B. The superior
vena cava C. The pulmonary vein D. The portal vein

17. Which is the correct path followed by blood to the kidneys: A. Renal artery – nephron
– renal vein B. Renal vein – nephron – renal artery C. Aorta – renal artery – inferior
vena cava D. Inferior vena cava – renal vein – aorta

18. _____ is the outer layer of the uterus: A. Endometrium B. Perimetrium C.

Myometrium D. Decidua

19. ______ is the process by which a nerve impulse causes the membrane potential to
become more positive. A. Hyperpolarization B. Repolarization C. Depolarization D.
Facilitation

20. _____ is the outermost layer of the membrane that protects the brain and the spinal
cord? A. Meninges B. Pia mater C. Arachnoid mater D. Dura mater

General Pharmacology (10 marks)

1. Which of the following is a disadvantage of the oral route of drug administration? A.

Risk of first-pass metabolism B. Requires specialized equipment for administration
C. Cannot be self-administered D. Consistently rapid absorption

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 2. The main barrier to drug absorption through the skin is: A. Stratum corneum B.
Dermis C. Subcutaneous tissue D. Melanin

3. What does the term "bioequivalence" mean? A. Equal therapeutic effect between
two drugs with different chemical structures B. Equal plasma concentrations
between two formulations of the same drug C. Equal amount of drug excreted in
urine D. Equal binding affinity to plasma proteins

4. A characteristic of sublingual administration is: A. Drug undergoes first-pass

metabolism B. Drug absorption is slow and prolonged C. Drug bypasses hepatic
first-pass metabolism D. Drug is exposed to gastric acid

5. Parenteral administration does NOT include which route: A. Intramuscular B.

Intravenous C. Sublingual D. Subcutaneous

6. Correct statements about drug administration routes include all of the following
EXCEPT: A. Rectal administration can be used for unconscious patients B.
Transdermal administration provides steady drug levels C. Oral administration
always results in better bioavailability than parenteral routes D. Inhalation provides
rapid access to the pulmonary circulation

7. The term "drug distribution" includes: A. Process of drug movement from

bloodstream to tissues B. Process of drug elimination through the kidneys C.
Process of drug conversion to metabolites D. Process of drug absorption from the GI
tract

8. Volume of distribution (Vd) is: A. The physical volume of plasma in the body B. The
theoretical volume in which a drug would need to be dissolved to produce the
observed plasma concentration C. The volume of drug excreted in urine D. The
volume of drug absorbed from the GI tract

9. Pharmacokinetics involves the study of: A. Drug receptors and their signaling
mechanisms B. How the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs
C. Therapeutic and adverse effects of drugs D. Drug-receptor interactions

10. What does "efficacy" mean? A. The maximum therapeutic effect a drug can produce
B. How tightly a drug binds to its receptor C. The drug's ability to reach its target
tissue D. How quickly a drug is removed from the body

Nutrition (10 marks)

1. During prolonged fasting, the brain's primary energy source becomes: A. Fatty acids
B. Glycogen C. Ketone bodies D. Amino acids

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 2. Iron absorption is enhanced by: A. Phytates B. Tannins C. Vitamin C D. Calcium

3. Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is accurately described as: A. Deficiency of

essential amino acids B. Combined deficiency of protein and energy C. Deficiency
of both macronutrients and micronutrients D. Excess caloric intake with protein
deficiency

4. A client asks why fiber should be included in the diet. Which of the following is the
nurse's best response? A. "Fiber provides essential nutrients that cannot be
synthesized by the body." B. "Fiber is the primary energy source for brain function."
C. "Dietary fiber promotes bowel regularity and may help prevent certain diseases."
D. "Fiber provides more calories per gram than carbohydrates or proteins."

5. The clinician knows that instructions have been effective when the client verbalizes
that a good source of omega-3 fatty acids is found in: A. Corn oil B. Fatty fish C. Beef
D. Sunflower oil

6. The client asks about the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber. Which of
the following would be the nurse's best response? A. "Soluble fiber is found in
animal products, while insoluble fiber is found in plants." B. "Soluble fiber dissolves
in water and may help lower cholesterol, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool." C.
"Soluble fiber cannot be digested by humans, while insoluble fiber provides energy."
D. "There is no significant difference; both types should be avoided."

7. When developing a teaching plan for a client who needs to increase calcium intake,
which of the following foods would the nurse suggest? A. Citrus fruits and tomatoes
B. Red meat and poultry C. Dairy products and leafy green vegetables D. Whole
grains and legumes

8. Water-soluble vitamins: A. Are stored in fat tissue for long periods B. Can easily
reach toxic levels C. Are typically excreted in urine if consumed in excess D. Include
vitamins A, D, E, and K

9. Vitamin D deficiency symptoms include: A. Rickets and osteomalacia B. Scurvy and

poor wound healing C. Night blindness and xerophthalmia D. Beriberi and peripheral
neuropathy

10. Which mineral is essential for proper thyroid function? A. Zinc B. Iron C. Iodine D.
Calcium

General Biochemistry (5 marks)

1. 1g of carbohydrate provides approximately _____KJ of energy: A. 38 B. 17 C. 9 D. 4

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 2. _____ are organic compounds that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions: A.
Hormones B. Enzymes C. Antibodies D. Nucleic acids

3. The general formula of an amino acid is: A. R-COOH B. R-NH2 C. H2N-CHR-COOH

D. R-CHO

4. The following are examples of disaccharides except ONE, which is: A. Maltose B.
Lactose C. Glucose D. Sucrose

5. ______ is a chemical element which is essential for nucleic acid structure: A. Carbon
B. Phosphorus C. Calcium D. Magnesium

Basic Laboratory Techniques (5 marks)

1. The lens that provides the highest magnification in a light microscope is called: A.
Low power B. Ocular C. Oil immersion D. Scanning

2. The liquid portion of blood collected with an anticoagulant is called: A. Serum B.

Plasma C. Interstitial fluid D. Lymph

3. _____ is laboratory glassware used for accurate measurement of liquid volumes: A.

Beaker B. Volumetric flask C. Test tube D. Petri dish

4. If a patient complains of pain during venipuncture, you should: A. Ignore it and

continue the procedure B. Remove the needle and try another site C. Reassure the
patient and adjust the needle position if needed D. Call a physician immediately

5. A blood specimen collected in an EDTA tube will appear: A. Clotted with clear serum
B. Unclotted with buffy coat after centrifugation C. Partially clotted D. Hemolyzed

SECTION B: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (30 Marks)

Anatomy and Physiology (12 marks)

1. List in order the structures of the respiratory system, grouping them into upper
respiratory tract and lower respiratory tract. (6 marks)

2. Label the following diagram of the human heart chambers and major blood vessels.
(6 marks) [Diagram would be inserted here]

General Pharmacology (6 marks)

1. Name FOUR factors affecting drug absorption. (2 marks)

2. State TWO disadvantages of the intravenous route of drug administration. (2 marks)

3. What are the major factors affecting drug metabolism? (2 marks)

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Nutrition (6 marks)

1. Fill in the blank spaces (6 marks)

Condition/Nutrient Characteristic/Deficiency

Underweight _________________

_________________ 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2

Obesity _________________

_________________ Rickets

Vitamin A _________________

_________________ Scurvy

Niacin deficiency _________________

_________________ Marasmus

General Biochemistry (3 marks)

1. Describe the basic structure of a triglyceride. (3 marks)

Basic Laboratory Techniques (3 marks)

1. List three (3) methods of sterilization used in the laboratory and give an example of
each. (3 marks)

SECTION C: ESSAY QUESTIONS (20 Marks)

Anatomy and Physiology (8 marks)

1. Discuss the structure and functions of the liver. (8 marks)

General Pharmacology (4 marks)

1. A 70-year-old patient with chronic kidney disease is admitted to the hospital with a
urinary tract infection. The physician orders an antibiotic for treatment. a) What
factors should be considered when selecting an appropriate antibiotic for this
patient? (1 mark) b) Why should the physician adjust the dosage for this patient? (1
mark) c) The antibiotic selected is primarily eliminated through renal excretion.
Explain: i) Glomerular filtration (0.25 mark) ii) Tubular secretion (0.25 mark) iii)

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 Tubular reabsorption (0.5 mark) d) What two important parameters should be
monitored during antibiotic therapy in this patient? (1 mark)

Nutrition (4 marks)

1. Discuss the nutritional requirements and dietary recommendations for an

adolescent. (4 marks)

General Biochemistry (2 marks)

1. Outline FOUR functions of lipids in the human body. (2 marks)

Basic Laboratory Techniques (2 marks)

1. Discuss the principles and applications of centrifugation in the medical laboratory.

(2 marks)

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