Starting material for sex hormones:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Cholesterol is a precursor for the synthesis of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Regular intake of prescription drugs like steroids and diuretics can lead to the loss of potassium in the body, causing a condition known as hypokalemia. Therefore, people on these medications require careful monitoring and often need potassium supplementation to prevent this deficiency. The other options, selenium, iodine, and chloride, are incorrect because there is no specific link between their deficiency and the regular use of steroids and diuretics.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Protein digestion begins in the stomach with the enzyme pepsin, which breaks down proteins into smaller polypeptides. The end products of protein digestion are amino acids.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: All the statements above are accurate about oral exposure to fermentable carbohydrates, except for option B. In fact, longer exposure to these carbohydrates decreases the opportunity for remineralization. This is because the process of demineralization, in which minerals are lost from the tooth enamel, is sped up by the presence of fermentable carbohydrates. The Stephan curve (option C) is a graph that demonstrates how the pH of dental plaque changes after a sugar rinse, usually dropping (becoming more acidic), which can lead to enamel decalcification. Option D is also accurate, as a pH of 5.5 or lower is the critical point at which enamel starts to decalcify.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: All the listed options (Age, Sleep, Fasting/Starvation, Activity Level) are factors that can affect a person's Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). BMR is the number of calories your body needs to accomplish its most basic (basal) life-sustaining functions. Age can affect BMR as metabolism slows with age. Sleep can influence BMR as metabolism slows during sleep. Fasting or starvation can decrease BMR as the body conserves energy. Activity level can also influence BMR; the more active you are, the higher your BMR, as your body requires more energy for physical activities.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they require fat for absorption. Diseases that cause fat malabsorption can lead to deficiencies in these vitamins.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Corticosteroids are most likely to cause unintentional weight gain. They influence the metabolism and fat distribution in the body, leading to weight gain. On the other hand, antiemetics are drugs that are used to prevent nausea and vomiting, and they do not typically cause weight gain. Sedatives, while they can cause drowsiness and may lead to less physical activity, are not directly associated with weight gain. Lastly, antibiotics are used to fight bacteria and while they can cause temporary digestive issues, they do not typically result in long-term weight gain.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Bile, which is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, aids in the digestion of fats. It does this by emulsifying the fats, which makes them easier for the digestive enzymes, such as lipase, to break down. While choices A, B, and C could be seen as partially correct since fats are a type of lipid and the process of breaking down fats could be seen as breaking down lipids, the most accurate answer is D, as the primary function of bile is to aid in fat digestion, not the digestion of all types of lipids or the digestion of proteins or carbohydrates.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A patient's dietary order is most frequently prescribed by a physician. This is because the physician has a comprehensive understanding of the patient's medical condition and can thus determine the most suitable dietary plan. Registered dietitians often collaborate with physicians in this process, but the final prescription is made by the physician. Although registered nurses, dietetic technicians, and occupational therapists play significant roles in patient care, they typically do not prescribe diet orders.