Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
What is a function of saliva?
A. Absorbing fat from ingested food
Absorbing fat from ingested food: saliva does not absorb fat; lipid processing occurs later (emulsification by bile, digestion by lipase).
B. Breaking food into smaller pieces
Breaking food into smaller pieces: Incorrect (partly true) -mastication (teeth and jaw) breaks food down; saliva lubricates and moistens but does not mechanically triturate alone.
C. Beginning the chemical digestion of carbohydrates
Beginning the chemical digestion of carbohydrates: saliva contains salivary amylase, which begins starch digestion into smaller sugars.
D. Cleansing the esophagus
Cleansing the esophagus: saliva helps cleanse the mouth and aids swallowing, but it does not “cleanse the esophagus” as a primary function.
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Full Explanation
A. Absorbing fat from ingested food: saliva does not absorb fat; lipid processing occurs later (emulsification by bile, digestion by lipase).
B. Breaking food into smaller pieces: Incorrect (partly true) -mastication (teeth and jaw) breaks food down; saliva lubricates and moistens but does not mechanically triturate alone.
C. Beginning the chemical digestion of carbohydrates: saliva contains salivary amylase, which begins starch digestion into smaller sugars.
D. Cleansing the esophagus: saliva helps cleanse the mouth and aids swallowing, but it does not “cleanse the esophagus” as a primary function.
Similar Questions
Check all statements that are functions of the liver. Check All That Apply
A. Production of bile.
Production of bile: the liver synthesizes and secretes bile (stored in the gallbladder).
B. Detoxification of toxins
Detoxification of toxins: the liver metabolizes and detoxifies many endogenous and exogenous compounds.
C. Production of glycogen
Production of glycogen: the liver synthesizes and stores glycogen (glycogenesis) to regulate blood glucose.
D. Digestion of nucleic acids
Digestion of nucleic acids: nucleic acid digestion is performed by pancreatic and intestinal enzymes in the small intestine, not by the liver.
Full Explanation
A. Production of bile: the liver synthesizes and secretes bile (stored in the gallbladder).
B. Detoxification of toxins: the liver metabolizes and detoxifies many endogenous and exogenous compounds.
C. Production of glycogen: the liver synthesizes and stores glycogen (glycogenesis) to regulate blood glucose.
D. Digestion of nucleic acids: nucleic acid digestion is performed by pancreatic and intestinal enzymes in the small intestine, not by the liver.
Which of the following is an accessory organ of the digestive system?
A. stomach
stomach: the stomach is an organ of the alimentary canal (not an accessory organ).
B. pharynx
pharynx: the pharynx is part of the alimentary canal (passageway), not an accessory organ.
C. esophagus
esophagus: the esophagus is part of the alimentary canal (conduit), not accessory.
D. pancreas
pancreas: the pancreas is an accessory organ (secretes digestive enzymes and bicarbonate into the duodenum).
Full Explanation
A. stomach: the stomach is an organ of the alimentary canal (not an accessory organ).
B. pharynx: the pharynx is part of the alimentary canal (passageway), not an accessory organ.
C. esophagus: the esophagus is part of the alimentary canal (conduit), not accessory.
D. pancreas: the pancreas is an accessory organ (secretes digestive enzymes and bicarbonate into the duodenum).
The greater omentum is composed of which membrane?
A. pleural
pleural: the pleura lines the thoracic cavity and lungs, not the greater omentum.
B. pericardial
pericardial: the pericardium surrounds the heart, not the abdominal organs.
C. hiatal
hiatal: “hiatal” refers to the esophageal hiatus (an opening) and is not the membrane composing the omentum.
D. peritoneal
peritoneal: the greater omentum is a large fold of peritoneum (a double-layered peritoneal membrane) that hangs from the stomach.
Full Explanation
A. pleural: the pleura lines the thoracic cavity and lungs, not the greater omentum.
B. pericardial: the pericardium surrounds the heart, not the abdominal organs.
C. hiatal: “hiatal” refers to the esophageal hiatus (an opening) and is not the membrane composing the omentum.
D. peritoneal: the greater omentum is a large fold of peritoneum (a double-layered peritoneal membrane) that hangs from the stomach.