Nursing Elites

1. How many amino acids are essential?

• A. 5
• B. 7
• C. 9
• D. 13

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 9. There are 9 essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize and must be obtained through the diet. These 9 amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the correct number of essential amino acids.

2. Although a balanced diet is essential for tissue healing and repair, which of the following should the dental hygienist identify as the nutrient of highest priority for a patient with gingivitis or periodontal disease?

• A. Carbohydrates
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Vitamin D
• D. Monosaccharides

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Vitamin C is crucial for collagen production and connective tissue repair, making it a key nutrient for healing gingival tissues in patients with gingivitis or periodontal disease. Carbohydrates are a source of energy and not directly related to tissue repair. Vitamin D is important for bone health but is not the highest priority for gingival tissue healing. Monosaccharides are simple sugars and not as essential for tissue repair as Vitamin C.

3. What is the digestive action of lipase?

• A. It breaks down carbohydrates
• B. It breaks down proteins
• C. It breaks down lipids
• D. It aids in fat digestion

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Lipase is an enzyme that specifically breaks down lipids (fats) during the process of digestion, converting them into fatty acids and glycerol. This is why option C is the correct answer. Although option D is partially correct, it's less specific than option C. Lipase does not break down carbohydrates or proteins, so options A and B are incorrect.

4. A nurse is providing dietary teaching for a client who has just learned that she has type 2 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should explain that which of the following sweeteners will add calories to the client's carbohydrate count?

• A. Sorbitol
• B. Sucralose
• C. Aspartame
• D. Acesulfame potassium

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Sorbitol is a sweetener that will add calories to the client's carbohydrate count. It is a sugar alcohol that provides about 2.6 calories per gram. Sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium are all non-nutritive sweeteners that do not contribute significant calories to the diet. Sucralose is about 600 times sweeter than sucrose but does not add calories. Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose, and acesulfame potassium is a calorie-free sweetener.

5. Which vitamin's recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is significantly increased during pregnancy?

• A. Folate
• B. Thiamine (B1)
• C. Riboflavin (B2)
• D. Niacin (B3)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Folate. During pregnancy, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for folate is significantly increased to support fetal development and prevent neural tube defects and other congenital anomalies. Folate plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis and cell growth, making it essential for the rapidly dividing cells of the developing fetus. Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), and Niacin (B3) are important vitamins, but their RDAs do not undergo as significant an increase during pregnancy as folate's RDA does.

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