Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. In addition to active transport, which process is involved in absorbing food in the small intestine?

• A. pinocytosis
• B. excretion
• C. phagocytosis
• D. electrochemical diffusion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is pinocytosis. Pinocytosis is a process where cells in the small intestine absorb nutrients by engulfing them. This process is different from phagocytosis, which involves engulfing large particles, and excretion, which is the removal of waste products. Electrochemical diffusion is not directly involved in the absorption of food in the small intestine.

3. 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.

4. The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for fat recommends that the percentage of total kcalories from fat should fall between:

• A. 10% and 20%.
• B. 20% and 25%.
• C. 20% and 35%.
• D. 30% and 45%.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for fat suggests that 20% to 35% of total kcalories should come from fat. This range is recommended to maintain good health. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not fall within the specified range. A lower percentage (10-20%) may not provide enough essential fatty acids, while a higher percentage (30-45%) may increase the risk of health issues associated with excessive fat consumption.

5. 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.

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