A nurse is caring for a client who is well-hydrated and who demonstrates no evidence of anemia. Which of the following laboratory values gives the nurse an assessment of the adequacy of the client's protein uptake and synthesis?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Albumin. Albumin is a protein made by the liver and is a key indicator of the body's protein status. Low levels of albumin can indicate inadequate protein intake or synthesis. Choices B, C, and D (Calcium, Sodium, and Potassium) are not direct indicators of protein uptake and synthesis. Calcium is related to bone health, Sodium to fluid balance, and Potassium to nerve and muscle function.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Cottage cheese is the best source of calcium among the options provided. It is rich in calcium and provides a significant amount per serving. 1 cup of cottage cheese contains more calcium compared to 1⁄2 cup of ice cream, 1 ounce of Swiss cheese, or 1 cup of milk. Ice cream is not a significant source of calcium and is often high in sugar and fat. Swiss cheese and milk contain calcium, but cottage cheese has a higher calcium content per serving, making it the best choice for meeting calcium needs.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Rice, potatoes, and oranges. These foods are rich in carbohydrates. Choice A (Milk, eggs, and cheese) contains minimal carbohydrates as they are primarily sources of protein and fat. Choice B (Butter, oils, and avocados) contains very little to no carbohydrates as they are high in fats. Choice D (Chicken, green beans, and apples) also contains minimal carbohydrates, with protein and fiber being more prominent in these foods.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: To calculate the total calories in a food item, you can use the following conversions: every 1 gram of carbohydrate provides 4 calories, 1 gram of protein provides 4 calories, and 1 gram of fat provides 9 calories. Therefore, for this food item, multiply 15 grams of carbohydrates by 4 calories/gram, 4 grams of protein by 4 calories/gram, and 10 grams of fat by 9 calories/gram. The calculation would be (15 * 4) + (4 * 4) + (10 * 9) = 60 + 16 + 90 = 166 calories. Choice A (106) is incorrect because it does not consider the calories from fat. Choice B (124) is incorrect as it underestimates the calories by not including all macronutrients. Choice D (202) is incorrect as it overestimates the calories by adding up the values incorrectly.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Whole grain wheat flour contains the highest level of thiamine per serving compared to the other options provided. Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, is essential for energy metabolism. While eggs, dried pears, and Brussels sprouts are nutritious foods, they do not contain as high a level of thiamine as whole grain wheat flour. Therefore, the correct choice is whole grain wheat flour in this case.