Nursing Elites

1. A dental hygienist finds several new carious lesions in a patient with chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). While conducting the medical and dental histories, the dental hygienist is most likely to find an increased use of which of the following?

• A. Protein
• B. Cough drops
• C. Fluoride
• D. Xylitol

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cough drops. Patients with COPD often use cough drops to manage their symptoms, which can lead to an increase in carious lesions due to their sugar content. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as protein, fluoride, and xylitol are not typically associated with an increased risk of carious lesions in patients with COPD.

2. Which symptoms are associated with cancer of the colon?

• A. constipation, ascites, and mucus in the stool
• B. diarrhea, heartburn, and eructation
• C. blood in the stools, anemia, and 'pencil-shaped' stools
• D. anorexia, hematemesis, and increased peristalsis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct symptoms associated with cancer of the colon are blood in the stools, anemia, and 'pencil-shaped' stools. These symptoms are classic indicators of colorectal cancer. Choices A, B, and D do not typically present in colorectal cancer. Constipation, ascites, and mucus in the stool are more commonly associated with other gastrointestinal conditions. Diarrhea, heartburn, and eructation are not typical symptoms of colon cancer. Anorexia, hematemesis, and increased peristalsis are more indicative of other gastrointestinal issues and not specific to colon cancer.

3. What physiologic role does magnesium play in the body?

• A. Blood clotting, transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and relaxation
• B. Calcium homeostasis, structural integrity of heart muscle
• C. No known metabolic function, caries-preventing properties
• D. ATP energy release; metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, proteins; regulates acid-base balance

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Magnesium plays an important role in maintaining calcium homeostasis and preventing skeletal abnormalities. It is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions, including energy metabolism, insulin activity, and glucose use. Magnesium is vital to the structural integrity of heart muscle and other muscles and nerves. While magnesium does play a role in blood clotting, nerve impulses, muscle contraction, relaxation, ATP energy release, and metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, the primary physiologic role of magnesium in the body is related to calcium homeostasis and maintaining the structural integrity of the heart muscle. Choice A is incorrect because it includes functions of magnesium, but they are not its primary physiologic role. Choice C is incorrect as magnesium has several known metabolic functions. Choice D is incorrect because although magnesium is involved in ATP energy release and metabolism, its primary role is related to calcium homeostasis and structural integrity of muscle.

4. With which type of cancer is asbestos exposure most strongly associated?

• A. Liver cancer
• B. Peritoneal cancer
• C. Skin cancer
• D. Esophageal cancer

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Asbestos exposure is most strongly associated with peritoneal cancer, a type of cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen. While asbestos can potentially contribute to other types of cancer, there is a significant body of research indicating a robust correlation between asbestos exposure and peritoneal cancer. Asbestos exposure can also lead to mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the chest. The other options - liver cancer, skin cancer, and esophageal cancer - are not typically associated with asbestos exposure.

5. Which nutrient is most closely associated with the prevention of neural tube defects in a developing fetus for a woman planning to become pregnant?

• A. Calcium
• B. Folate
• C. Vitamin A
• D. Choline

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is folate. Folate, also known as Vitamin B9, is vital for the prevention of neural tube defects in the developing fetus. It is primarily responsible for the creation and repair of DNA, which is essential during rapid growth stages such as pregnancy. While nutrients like calcium, vitamin A, and choline are important for pregnancy, they are not as directly linked to preventing neural tube defects as folate. Calcium is crucial for the baby's bone and teeth development. Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune function, and cellular growth. Choline supports brain development and neural functioning. However, none of these nutrients have the same direct impact on preventing neural tube defects as folate.

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