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 are the major sources of energy for the body?

• A. Proteins and fats.
• B. Carbohydrates and fats.
• C. Proteins and carbohydrates.
• D. Vitamins and minerals.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrates are the body's primary and most efficient source of energy, providing fuel for daily activities. Fats are also a significant energy source, especially during times of prolonged or intense exercise. Proteins are primarily used for building and repairing tissues, not as a major energy source. Vitamins and minerals are essential for various bodily functions but do not serve as direct sources of energy.

3. Which of the following plasma proteins helps maintain fluid balance?

• A. Albumin
• B. Fibrinogen
• C. Hemoglobin
• D. Collagen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Albumin is the correct answer. It is a plasma protein that helps maintain osmotic pressure, thereby playing a vital role in regulating fluid balance in the body. Fibrinogen is involved in blood clotting, not fluid balance. Hemoglobin is responsible for oxygen transport in red blood cells, not fluid balance. Collagen is a structural protein found in connective tissues, not directly involved in fluid balance.

4. 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.

5. What is the primary function of protein in the diet?

• A. supply energy.
• B. synthesize vitamins.
• C. build and repair tissue.
• D. store glycogen.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary function of protein in the diet is to build and repair tissues. Proteins are essential for the growth, maintenance, and repair of body tissues like muscles, skin, and organs. While proteins can be a source of energy, their primary role is not to supply energy, making choice A incorrect. Choice B is also incorrect as proteins do not synthesize vitamins; rather, they are essential nutrients themselves. Choice D is inaccurate because glycogen is a form of stored glucose in the body, not a function of protein.

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