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. How many amino acids are considered indispensable or essential?

• A. 9
• B. 10
• C. 12
• D. 14

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 9. Nine amino acids are considered essential or indispensable because they cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet. These amino acids include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as the number of essential amino acids is specifically 9, as they are crucial for various bodily functions.

3. Where does gluconeogenesis occur?

• A. Muscles.
• B. Pancreas.
• C. Liver.
• D. Spleen.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Gluconeogenesis mainly occurs in the liver. It is a process where glucose is synthesized from non-carbohydrate sources such as amino acids and glycerol. The liver is the primary site for gluconeogenesis due to the presence of key enzymes and substrates required for this process. Muscles do not play a significant role in gluconeogenesis, making choice A incorrect. The pancreas is involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels through insulin and glucagon but is not the primary site for gluconeogenesis, so choice B is incorrect. The spleen is not a major organ involved in glucose metabolism, making choice D incorrect.

4. What substance activates pepsinogen to pepsin?

• A. Bile
• B. Gastrin
• C. Secretin
• D. Hydrochloric acid

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach plays a crucial role in converting pepsinogen into its active form, pepsin, which is necessary for digesting proteins. Bile (Choice A) is involved in the emulsification of fats, not in the activation of pepsinogen. Gastrin (Choice B) is a hormone that stimulates the secretion of gastric acid but does not directly activate pepsinogen. Secretin (Choice C) is a hormone that regulates the pH of the duodenum but is not responsible for the activation of pepsinogen.

5. What is the factor most likely to stimulate digestive secretions?

• A. Smelling or seeing food
• B. Grocery shopping
• C. Fasting
• D. Exercise

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Smelling or seeing food. When an individual smells or sees food, it can trigger the body to start producing digestive secretions in anticipation of food consumption. This physiological response helps prepare the digestive system for the incoming meal. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because grocery shopping, fasting, and exercise do not directly stimulate digestive secretions in the same way that the sight or smell of food does.

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