Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. A person with lactose intolerance should be most careful to limit their intake of:

• A. milk
• B. yogurt
• C. cheese
• D. corn syrup

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Individuals with lactose intolerance lack the enzyme lactase needed to break down lactose, the sugar in dairy products. Milk contains a high amount of lactose, making it crucial for those with lactose intolerance to limit their intake. Yogurt and cheese, on the other hand, have lower lactose content due to the fermentation process which reduces lactose levels, making them better tolerated by many with lactose intolerance. Corn syrup, although high in sugar, does not contain lactose and is unrelated to lactose intolerance. Therefore, the correct answer is 'milk' as it is a significant source of lactose, which can trigger symptoms in individuals with lactose intolerance.

3. Mucus is produced by the salivary glands and the:

• A. intestinal glands.
• B. esophageal glands.
• C. pineal gland.
• D. islets of Langerhans.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Mucus is produced by the salivary glands to moisten food and aid in swallowing. Additionally, the intestinal glands secrete mucus to protect the lining of the intestines. The other choices, esophageal glands, pineal gland, and islets of Langerhans, are not involved in the production of mucus in the digestive system.

4. Which nutrient has a protein-sparing effect?

• A. Glycerol
• B. Carbohydrate
• C. Nitrogen
• D. Fatty acids

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Carbohydrates have a protein-sparing effect, meaning that adequate carbohydrate intake can prevent the use of protein for energy. Glycerol, nitrogen, and fatty acids do not have a protein-sparing effect. Glycerol is a component of fats and oils, nitrogen is a component of proteins, and fatty acids are used primarily as an energy source.

5. 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.

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