Chemical digestion of starch foods begins in the:

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, 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.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: cystic duct. The cystic duct directly receives the fluids from the gallbladder and connects it to the common bile duct. The cystic duct is responsible for carrying bile from the gallbladder to the digestive system. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the common bile duct carries a mixture of bile from the liver and gallbladder, the hepatic duct connects the liver to the common bile duct, and the common hepatic duct connects the liver to the gallbladder, respectively. Therefore, the cystic duct is the only duct directly receiving fluids from the gallbladder.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: bile. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes such as amylase and lipase to break down carbohydrates and fats. It also produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Bile, however, is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, not by the pancreas. Therefore, the pancreas does not produce bile. This makes option D the correct answer.