Topic 1: Overview of Metabolism and Carbohydrate Chemistry (Questions 1-25)
1. Which of the following carbohydrates is classified as a monosaccharide?
A) Sucrose
B) Lactose
C) Glucose
D) Starch
Answer: C) Glucose
Rationale: Glucose is a monosaccharide (simple sugar) that cannot be hydrolyzed
into smaller carbohydrates. Sucrose and lactose are disaccharides, while starch is
a polysaccharide. Understanding carbohydrate classification is fundamental for
nursing assessment of nutritional status and diabetes management.
2. The bond that joins two monosaccharides to form a disaccharide is called:
A) Peptide bond
B) Hydrogen bond
C) Glycosidic bond
,D) Ester bond
Answer: C) Glycosidic bond
Rationale: Glycosidic bonds form between the anomeric carbon of one sugar and
a hydroxyl group of another through dehydration synthesis. Nurses must
understand this concept when educating diabetic patients about carbohydrate
digestion and absorption.
3. Which of the following is an example of a polysaccharide stored in the human
liver and muscles?
A) Cellulose
B) Glycogen
C) Inulin
D) Chitin
Answer: B) Glycogen
Rationale: Glycogen is the primary storage form of glucose in humans, stored
predominantly in the liver and skeletal muscles. Cellulose is indigestible plant
fiber, inulin is a plant polysaccharide, and chitin is found in exoskeletons.
,4. The process of converting non-carbohydrate precursors (such as lactate,
glycerol, and amino acids) into glucose is called:
A) Glycolysis
B) Glycogenesis
C) Gluconeogenesis
D) Glycogenolysis
Answer: C) Gluconeogenesis
Rationale: Gluconeogenesis occurs primarily in the liver and is critical during
fasting states. This knowledge helps nurses understand why diabetic patients can
develop hyperglycemia even when not consuming carbohydrates.
5. Fructose and galactose are converted to which intermediate to enter the
glycolytic pathway?
A) Pyruvate
B) Glucose-6-phosphate
C) Acetyl-CoA
D) Oxaloacetate
, Answer: B) Glucose-6-phosphate
Rationale: Fructose and galactose undergo specific conversion pathways to form
glucose-6-phosphate or intermediates that feed into glycolysis. This
understanding is important for managing patients with galactosemia or fructose
intolerance.
6. Which enzyme is deficient in lactose intolerance?
A) Sucrase
B) Lactase
C) Maltase
D) Amylase
Answer: B) Lactase
Rationale: Lactase deficiency prevents the hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and
galactose, leading to osmotic diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain after dairy
consumption. Nurses must recognize these symptoms and provide appropriate
dietary teaching.