Nursing Elites

1. Individual nutrients are characterized by their ability to:

• A. work independently.
• B. fulfill specific metabolic roles.
• C. influence weight loss.
• D. improve mental status.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'fulfill specific metabolic roles.' Nutrients play essential roles in specific metabolic processes in the body such as energy production, tissue repair, and growth. Choice A, 'work independently,' is incorrect as nutrients often work synergistically rather than alone. Choice C, 'influence weight loss,' is incorrect as while some nutrients may support weight loss indirectly through metabolic processes, it is not their primary characteristic. Choice D, 'improve mental status,' is also incorrect as while some nutrients are important for brain health, their primary role is not specifically to improve mental status.

2. What is the term for the action of biting, chewing, and breaking up ingested food into smaller particles?

• A. Peristalsis.
• B. Segmentation.
• C. Metabolism.
• D. Mastication.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Mastication.' Mastication is the mechanical process of chewing that breaks down food into smaller particles. Peristalsis (choice A) is the involuntary constriction and relaxation of muscles in the gastrointestinal tract that moves food along. Segmentation (choice B) is the mixing movement of the digestive system that helps to break down food and mix it with digestive juices. Metabolism (choice C) refers to the chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life.

3. Which monosaccharide only occurs naturally in foods in combination with another sugar as a disaccharide?

• A. Fructose.
• B. Galactose.
• C. Sucrose.
• D. Maltose.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, galactose. Galactose naturally occurs in foods only when it is combined with glucose to form lactose, a disaccharide found in milk. Fructose is a monosaccharide found in fruits and honey. Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose, commonly known as table sugar. Maltose is a disaccharide formed by the combination of two glucose molecules.

4. Which enzyme is secreted by the salivary glands?

• A. Pepsin.
• B. Trypsin.
• C. Sucrase.
• D. Amylase.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, amylase. Amylase is an enzyme produced by the salivary glands that initiates the digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth. Pepsin (choice A) is produced in the stomach to digest proteins, trypsin (choice B) is produced in the pancreas to digest proteins, and sucrase (choice C) is produced in the small intestine to break down sucrose. Therefore, choices A, B, and C are incorrect in the context of an enzyme secreted by the salivary glands.

5. How is the enzyme trypsin activated?

• A. By zymogen.
• B. By bile.
• C. By gastrin.
• D. By enterokinase.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: By enterokinase. Trypsin is activated by enterokinase, an enzyme secreted by the small intestine. Enterokinase plays a crucial role in converting trypsinogen into its active form, trypsin. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because trypsin is specifically activated by enterokinase, not by zymogen, bile, or gastrin.

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