A 20-yr-old woman is being admitted with electrolyte disorders of unknown etiology. Which assessment finding is most important to report to the health care provider?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can be life-threatening. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness. It is crucial to report this finding promptly to the healthcare provider for immediate intervention. Choice A is relevant but not as urgent as hypokalemia. Choice B is unrelated to electrolyte disorders. Choice C is incomplete and does not provide any relevant information.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: palatine tonsils. Palatine tonsils are the most commonly inflamed lymphatic areas due to their location at the back of the throat where they can easily come into contact with pathogens. They play a crucial role in immune defense against infections. Peyer's patches are found in the small intestine and are involved in immune responses to pathogens in the digestive tract. Lingual tonsils are located at the base of the tongue and are less frequently inflamed compared to the palatine tonsils. Adenoids are located in the upper part of the throat behind the nose and are also less commonly inflamed than the palatine tonsils.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: cholecystokinin. Cholecystokinin stimulates the pancreas to secrete an enzyme-rich fluid to aid in digestion in response to the presence of fats and proteins in the small intestine. Secretin mainly stimulates bicarbonate secretion from the pancreas. Enterogastrone inhibits gastric emptying. Enterocrinin stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas and also helps regulate the movements of the intestine.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: duodenum. The duodenum is the shortest section of the small intestine, measuring around 25-30 cm in length. It is the first part of the small intestine and plays a crucial role in the digestion process by receiving partially digested food from the stomach and mixing it with digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. The colon (choice A) is the longest part of the large intestine, the ileum (choice C) and jejunum (choice D) are longer sections of the small intestine, following the duodenum in the digestive tract. Therefore, the duodenum is the correct answer as it is specifically the shortest part of the intestines.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: beta cells. Beta cells are the specific type of cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin. They are located in the islets of Langerhans and play a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. Acinar cells (A) are responsible for producing digestive enzymes, duct cells (B) are involved in transporting pancreatic enzymes, and alpha cells (C) produce glucagon, which has the opposite effect of insulin in regulating blood sugar. Therefore, the correct choice is beta cells as they are the primary insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.