Nursing Elites

1. Which condition may benefit from branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine)?

• A. cancer-related malnutrition
• B. marasmus
• C. cardiovascular disease
• D. severe depression

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Branched chain amino acids, such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are essential in preventing muscle breakdown. Therefore, they may be particularly important for a patient with cancer-related malnutrition, where maintaining muscle mass is crucial. Marasmus is a severe form of malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency, not specifically related to cancer. Cardiovascular disease and severe depression do not have a direct correlation with the need for branched chain amino acids to prevent muscle breakdown.

2. Proteins are absorbed primarily in the form of:

• A. fatty acids.
• B. disaccharides.
• C. amino acids.
• D. polypeptides.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: amino acids. Proteins are broken down by digestive enzymes into amino acids before being absorbed in the small intestine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are the form in which they are primarily absorbed. Choice A (fatty acids) is incorrect as fatty acids are the end products of fat digestion, not protein digestion. Choice B (disaccharides) is incorrect because disaccharides are sugars that are broken down into monosaccharides, not proteins. Choice D (polypeptides) is incorrect as proteins are broken down into amino acids and not absorbed as polypeptides.

3. The function of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) is to designate nutrient recommendations for:

• A. different ethnic groups.
• B. all individuals.
• C. most people.
• D. most healthy people.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are established to provide nutrient recommendations for most healthy people. They are not specific to different ethnic groups (choice A), all individuals (choice B), or most people (choice C). DRIs aim to prevent nutrient deficiencies and chronic diseases in healthy individuals by setting intake levels for various nutrients.

4. With respect to its effect on colon microflora, fiber is considered a:

• A. prebiotic.
• B. probiotic.
• C. functional food.
• D. protective agent.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: prebiotic. Fiber acts as a prebiotic by providing a food source for beneficial bacteria in the colon, promoting their growth and activity. This helps maintain a healthy balance of microflora in the gut. Choice B, probiotic, is incorrect as fiber itself does not contain live beneficial bacteria but rather supports their growth. Choice C, functional food, is too broad and doesn't specifically address fiber's role in promoting beneficial bacteria. Choice D, protective agent, is vague and does not directly relate to fiber's specific function in colon microflora.

5. In which health problem is protein catabolism increased?

• A. severe burns
• B. severe obesity
• C. hypothyroidism
• D. food allergies

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Protein catabolism increases in conditions like severe burns because the body breaks down muscle protein to provide energy for healing. Severe obesity does not necessarily increase protein catabolism; instead, it is more related to excessive fat accumulation. Hypothyroidism may lead to a decrease in metabolic rate but does not directly increase protein catabolism. Food allergies trigger an immune response to specific foods but do not directly impact protein catabolism.

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