Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What do you call a mixture of a solvent and a dissolved solute?

1. Suspension

2. Colloid

3. Solution

4. Emulsion

The correct answer is: Solution

A mixture of a solvent and a dissolved solute is termed a solution. In a solution, the solute is completely dissolved in the solvent, resulting in a homogeneous mixture at a molecular level. This means that the components are evenly distributed and cannot be visually distinguished. For instance, when salt (the solute) is mixed with water (the solvent), the salt ions dissociate and are uniformly dispersed throughout the water, creating a saline solution. This is a fundamental concept in chemistry, as solutions are widely used in various fields, including nursing, for preparing medications and intravenous fluids. In contrast, a suspension involves solid particles that are not fully dissolved and may settle at the bottom over time. A colloid consists of fine particles that do not settle and are dispersed throughout another substance but are larger than molecules, leading to a cloudy appearance. An emulsion is a specific type of mixture that involves the combination of two immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, often stabilized by an emulsifier. These distinctions clarify why the term "solution" specifically describes the mixture of a solvent and dissolved solute.