Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. What is the mechanism that is essential for the absorption of monosaccharides?

• A. Phosphorylation
• B. Active transport
• C. Passive diffusion
• D. Facilitated diffusion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Active transport is the mechanism essential for the absorption of monosaccharides in the intestine. This process requires energy to move molecules against their concentration gradient, allowing for the absorption of monosaccharides efficiently. Phosphorylation, the process of adding a phosphate group to a molecule, is not directly involved in the absorption of monosaccharides. Passive diffusion, a process that does not require energy, is not the primary mechanism for absorbing monosaccharides due to their large size. Facilitated diffusion, a type of passive transport that involves carrier proteins, is not the primary mechanism for monosaccharide absorption, as monosaccharides require active transport for efficient absorption.

3. Which of the following types of fiber is not a carbohydrate?

• A. gums
• B. lignin
• C. pectin
• D. cellulose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Lignin is the correct answer because it is a type of fiber that is not a carbohydrate and provides structure to plant cell walls. Gums (choice A), pectin (choice C), and cellulose (choice D) are all types of dietary fiber that are carbohydrates. Gums are a type of soluble fiber, pectin is found in fruits and is a soluble fiber, and cellulose is a type of insoluble fiber found in plant cell walls.

4. The type of protein-energy malnutrition that results in edema, hypoalbuminemia, skin lesions, and fatty liver is:

• A. cachexia.
• B. marasmus.
• C. kwashiorkor.
• D. sarcopenia.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, kwashiorkor. Kwashiorkor is a type of protein-energy malnutrition characterized by edema, hypoalbuminemia, skin lesions, and fatty liver. Edema is a key feature of kwashiorkor due to hypoalbuminemia, which leads to decreased oncotic pressure. Marasmus (choice B) is a form of severe malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency without significant protein deficiency, resulting in severe wasting. Cachexia (choice A) is a syndrome characterized by weight loss, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight. Sarcopenia (choice D) is the age-related loss of muscle mass and function.

5. How does a nursing infant receive antibodies from its mother?

• A. Through anabolism and catabolism.
• B. Through the absorption of antibodies.
• C. Through the absorption of amino acids and synthesis of antibodies.
• D. Through genetic inheritance.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A nursing infant receives antibodies from its mother through the absorption of antibodies present in breast milk. Choice A is incorrect as anabolism and catabolism refer to metabolic processes, not the transfer of antibodies. Choice C is incorrect as the infant does not need to synthesize antibodies but directly receives them. Choice D is incorrect because while genetic inheritance plays a role in the immune system, in this case, the direct transfer of antibodies occurs through breast milk.

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