Nokea
A nurse is promoting increased protein intake to enhance a patient's wound healing. The nurse knows that enzymes are essential in the digestion of nutrients such as protein. What is the enzyme that initiates the digestion of protein?
- A. Pepsin
- B. Intrinsic factor
- C. Lipase
- D. Amylase
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The enzyme that initiates the digestion of protein is pepsin. Intrinsic factor combines with vitamin B12 for absorption by the ileum. Lipase aids in the digestion of fats and amylase aids in the digestion of starch.
You may also like to solve these questions
The physiology instructor is discussing the GI system with the pre-nursing class. What should the instructor describe as a major function of the GI tract?
- A. The breakdown of food particles into cell form for digestion
- B. The maintenance of fluid and acid-base balance
- C. The absorption into the bloodstream of nutrient molecules produced by digestion
- D. The control of absorption and elimination of electrolytes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Primary functions of the GI tract include the breakdown of food particles into molecular form for digestion; the absorption into the bloodstream of small nutrient molecules produced by digestion; and the elimination of undigested unabsorbed food stuffs and other waste products. Nutrients must be broken down into molecular form, not cell form. Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance are primarily under the control of the kidneys.
A clinic patient has described recent dark-colored stools; the nurse recognizes the need for fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). What aspect of the patient's current health status would contraindicate FOBT?
- A. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- B. Peptic ulcers
- C. Hemorrhoids
- D. Recurrent nausea and vomiting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FOBT should not be performed when there is hemorrhoidal bleeding. GERD, peptic ulcers and nausea and vomiting do not contraindicate the use of FOBT as a diagnostic tool.
The nurse is caring for a patient with a duodenal ulcer and is relating the patient's symptoms to the physiologic functions of the small intestine. What do these functions include?
- A. Secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl)
- B. Reabsorption of water
- C. Secretion of mucus
- D. Absorption of nutrients
- E. Movement of nutrients into the bloodstream
Correct Answer: C,D,E
Rationale: The small intestine folds back and forth on itself, providing approximately 7000 cm^2 (70 m^2) of surface area for secretion and absorption, the process by which nutrients enter the bloodstream through the intestinal walls. Water reabsorption primarily takes place in the large bowel. HCl is secreted by the stomach.
An advanced practice nurse is assessing the size and density of a patient's abdominal organs. If the results of palpation are unclear to the nurse, what assessment technique should be implemented?
- A. Percussion
- B. Auscultation
- C. Inspection
- D. Rectal examination
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Percussion is used to assess the size and density of the abdominal organs and to detect the presence of air-filled, fluid-filled, or solid masses. Percussion is used either independently or concurrently with palpation because it can validate palpation findings.
A patient has come to the outpatient radiology department for diagnostic testing. Which of the following diagnostic procedures will allow the care team to evaluate and remove polyps?
- A. Colonoscopy
- B. Barium enema
- C. ERCP
- D. Upper gastrointestinal fibroscopy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: During colonoscopy, tissue biopsies can be obtained as needed, and polyps can be removed and evaluated. This is not possible during a barium enema, ERCP, or gastroscopy.