Nursing Elites

1. In an analysis of the amino acid composition of foods, the amino acid occurring in the smallest amount is called:

• A. indispensable.
• B. dispensable.
• C. complementary.
• D. limiting.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'limiting.' In the analysis of the amino acid composition of foods, the amino acid that occurs in the smallest amount is referred to as the limiting amino acid. This term is used because when one essential amino acid is deficient, it limits the synthesis of proteins, making it crucial in determining protein quality. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. 'Indispensable' and 'dispensable' refer to the essentiality of amino acids, and 'complementary' does not describe the concept of the amino acid occurring in the smallest amount.

2. Pepsinogen secreted by the gastric cells is converted into pepsin by:

• A. enterokinase
• B. hydrochloric acid
• C. gastric lipase
• D. pancreatic lipase

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pepsinogen is converted into its active form, pepsin, by hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps in unfolding the pepsinogen molecule to transform it into pepsin, which is crucial for protein digestion. Therefore, the correct answer is hydrochloric acid (choice B). Enterokinase (choice A) is an enzyme produced in the small intestine that activates trypsinogen into trypsin, not pepsinogen. Gastric lipase (choice C) is an enzyme that digests fats, not involved in converting pepsinogen to pepsin. Pancreatic lipase (choice D) is an enzyme produced by the pancreas that aids in breaking down fats in the small intestine, not part of the process of pepsin activation.

3. The mineral that helps control enzyme actions in cell mitochondria that produce and store high-energy compounds is:

• A. iron.
• B. cobalt.
• C. hemoglobin.
• D. vitamin B12.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is iron. Iron is essential for enzyme function and energy production within the mitochondria. While cobalt is important for certain enzymes, it is not the primary mineral involved in this specific function. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, not a mineral involved in enzyme actions. Vitamin B12 is crucial for nerve function and DNA synthesis but is not directly related to controlling enzyme actions in mitochondria.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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