Amylase secreted by the salivary glands into the oral cavity starts the digestion of:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Starch. Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose in the oral cavity. This process is the initial step in carbohydrate digestion. Proteins are primarily digested in the stomach by pepsin. Lipids are broken down by lipase in the small intestine. Amino acids are the end product of protein digestion, not the substrate for amylase. Therefore, the correct answer is C as amylase specifically targets starch for digestion.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: mouth. Salivary amylase, an enzyme in saliva, initiates the breakdown of starch into maltose in the mouth. This process marks the beginning of chemical digestion of starch foods. In contrast, the stomach primarily digests proteins, the small intestine further breaks down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, while the large intestine absorbs water and minerals. Therefore, options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the initial site of starch digestion.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Cobalamin (B ) supplements. Patients with Crohn's disease often have malabsorption issues leading to megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency. Cobalamin supplements are essential for treating such anemia. Iron dextran infusions (A) and oral ferrous sulfate tablets (B) are used to treat iron deficiency anemia, not megaloblastic anemia. Routine blood transfusions (C) do not address the underlying cause of megaloblastic anemia in Crohn's disease.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, placing the patient on contact precautions. This is important because the patient has developed watery diarrhea after antibiotic therapy, which could indicate a Clostridium difficile infection. Placing the patient on contact precautions helps prevent the spread of this highly contagious infection to other patients and healthcare workers. It is the first priority to ensure the safety of others in the healthcare setting. A: Notifying the health care provider can be done after placing the patient on contact precautions. B: Obtaining a stool specimen for analysis is important but should be done after initiating contact precautions. C: Teaching the patient about hand washing is important for infection control but is not the first priority when dealing with a potential infectious disease outbreak.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: bicarbonate ions. During the alkaline tide, the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid (HCl) to aid digestion, which leads to an increase in bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) in the blood to maintain pH balance. These excess bicarbonate ions are then excreted into the urine, resulting in an alkaline pH. Choice A (HCl) is incorrect because HCl is not excreted into the urine during the alkaline tide. Choice B (H+) is incorrect as it does not directly relate to the process of the alkaline tide. Choice D (phosphate ions) is incorrect as they are not the primary ions excreted to produce an alkaline urine during the alkaline tide.