West Coast University NURS 201 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Med-
Surg Q&A | Med-Surg Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of lipids in the
human body?
A) To provide the main source of immediate energy for cellular processes
B) To serve as a structural component of cell membranes and a stored
energy reserve
C) To act as the primary catalyst for metabolic reactions in the body
D) To transport oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the bloodstream
Correct Answer: To serve as a structural component of cell membranes and a
stored energy reserve
Rationale: Lipids serve crucial functions, including being a major structural
component of cell membranes and providing a concentrated source of stored
energy. While carbohydrates are the main immediate energy source, lipids
are not catalysts (enzymes) nor are they primarily responsible for gas
transport.
2. What is the primary structural difference between saturated and
unsaturated fatty acids?
A) Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms; unsaturated
fats have one or more double bonds
B) Saturated fats are liquid at room temperature; unsaturated fats are solid
C) Saturated fats contain nitrogen; unsaturated fats contain sulfur
D) Saturated fats are derived from plants; unsaturated fats are derived from
animals
Correct Answer: Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon
atoms; unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds
,Rationale: Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon
atoms and are typically solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fatty
acids contain one or more double bonds and are usually liquid. The other
options incorrectly describe their physical state and sources.
3. According to the study guide for NURS 201, which of the following is a
characteristic of essential fatty acids?
A) They can be synthesized by the human body in adequate amounts
B) They must be obtained from dietary sources
C) They are only found in animal products
D) They are a primary source of dietary cholesterol
Correct Answer: They must be obtained from dietary sources
Rationale: Essential fatty acids, such as linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid,
cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet.
The body can synthesize non-essential fatty acids. They are found in both
plant and animal sources and are not a primary source of cholesterol.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about fat digestion. Where does the majority
of fat digestion occur?
A) In the mouth by salivary lipase
B) In the stomach by gastric lipase
C) In the small intestine with the help of bile and pancreatic enzymes
D) In the large intestine by bacterial fermentation
Correct Answer: In the small intestine with the help of bile and pancreatic
enzymes
,Rationale: Although some fat digestion begins in the mouth and stomach, the
majority occurs in the small intestine. Bile from the liver emulsifies fats, and
pancreatic lipase breaks them down into fatty acids and monoglycerides for
absorption.
5. What is the role of lipoproteins in the body?
A) To store glucose in the liver
B) To transport fats through the blood and lymphatic system
C) To synthesize amino acids from fatty acids
D) To break down cholesterol in the digestive tract
Correct Answer: To transport fats through the blood and lymphatic system
Rationale: Lipoproteins are complexes of lipids and proteins that transport
hydrophobic lipids (like triglycerides and cholesterol) through the aqueous
environment of the blood and lymphatic system. They do not store glucose,
synthesize amino acids, or break down cholesterol.
6. A patient asks which foods contain cholesterol. What is the most accurate
response from the nurse?
A) "All plant-based foods contain cholesterol."
B) "Cholesterol is only found in foods of animal origin."
C) "All fats, regardless of source, contain cholesterol."
D) "Cholesterol is added to processed foods as a preservative."
Correct Answer: "Cholesterol is only found in foods of animal origin."
Rationale: Cholesterol is a sterol found exclusively in animal products such as
meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. Plant foods do not contain cholesterol. It
is not added as a preservative to processed foods.
, 7. What dietary factor has the most significant impact on raising blood
cholesterol levels?
A) Dietary cholesterol intake
B) Total fat intake
C) Saturated and trans fat intake
D) Carbohydrate intake
Correct Answer: Saturated and trans fat intake
Rationale: While dietary cholesterol does have some effect, the intake of
saturated and trans fats has the most significant impact on raising blood
cholesterol levels. These fats increase LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
Carbohydrates and total fat intake are less directly influential.
8. What is emulsification in the context of fat digestion?
A) The breakdown of proteins into amino acids
B) The process of breaking large fat globules into smaller droplets
C) The absorption of fatty acids into the lymphatic system
D) The transport of cholesterol to the liver
Correct Answer: The process of breaking large fat globules into smaller
droplets
Rationale: Emulsification is the process by which bile salts break down large
fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for digestive
enzymes like lipase to act upon. This is a mechanical, not chemical,
breakdown that occurs primarily in the small intestine.
Surg Q&A | Med-Surg Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of lipids in the
human body?
A) To provide the main source of immediate energy for cellular processes
B) To serve as a structural component of cell membranes and a stored
energy reserve
C) To act as the primary catalyst for metabolic reactions in the body
D) To transport oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the bloodstream
Correct Answer: To serve as a structural component of cell membranes and a
stored energy reserve
Rationale: Lipids serve crucial functions, including being a major structural
component of cell membranes and providing a concentrated source of stored
energy. While carbohydrates are the main immediate energy source, lipids
are not catalysts (enzymes) nor are they primarily responsible for gas
transport.
2. What is the primary structural difference between saturated and
unsaturated fatty acids?
A) Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms; unsaturated
fats have one or more double bonds
B) Saturated fats are liquid at room temperature; unsaturated fats are solid
C) Saturated fats contain nitrogen; unsaturated fats contain sulfur
D) Saturated fats are derived from plants; unsaturated fats are derived from
animals
Correct Answer: Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon
atoms; unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds
,Rationale: Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon
atoms and are typically solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fatty
acids contain one or more double bonds and are usually liquid. The other
options incorrectly describe their physical state and sources.
3. According to the study guide for NURS 201, which of the following is a
characteristic of essential fatty acids?
A) They can be synthesized by the human body in adequate amounts
B) They must be obtained from dietary sources
C) They are only found in animal products
D) They are a primary source of dietary cholesterol
Correct Answer: They must be obtained from dietary sources
Rationale: Essential fatty acids, such as linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid,
cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet.
The body can synthesize non-essential fatty acids. They are found in both
plant and animal sources and are not a primary source of cholesterol.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about fat digestion. Where does the majority
of fat digestion occur?
A) In the mouth by salivary lipase
B) In the stomach by gastric lipase
C) In the small intestine with the help of bile and pancreatic enzymes
D) In the large intestine by bacterial fermentation
Correct Answer: In the small intestine with the help of bile and pancreatic
enzymes
,Rationale: Although some fat digestion begins in the mouth and stomach, the
majority occurs in the small intestine. Bile from the liver emulsifies fats, and
pancreatic lipase breaks them down into fatty acids and monoglycerides for
absorption.
5. What is the role of lipoproteins in the body?
A) To store glucose in the liver
B) To transport fats through the blood and lymphatic system
C) To synthesize amino acids from fatty acids
D) To break down cholesterol in the digestive tract
Correct Answer: To transport fats through the blood and lymphatic system
Rationale: Lipoproteins are complexes of lipids and proteins that transport
hydrophobic lipids (like triglycerides and cholesterol) through the aqueous
environment of the blood and lymphatic system. They do not store glucose,
synthesize amino acids, or break down cholesterol.
6. A patient asks which foods contain cholesterol. What is the most accurate
response from the nurse?
A) "All plant-based foods contain cholesterol."
B) "Cholesterol is only found in foods of animal origin."
C) "All fats, regardless of source, contain cholesterol."
D) "Cholesterol is added to processed foods as a preservative."
Correct Answer: "Cholesterol is only found in foods of animal origin."
Rationale: Cholesterol is a sterol found exclusively in animal products such as
meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. Plant foods do not contain cholesterol. It
is not added as a preservative to processed foods.
, 7. What dietary factor has the most significant impact on raising blood
cholesterol levels?
A) Dietary cholesterol intake
B) Total fat intake
C) Saturated and trans fat intake
D) Carbohydrate intake
Correct Answer: Saturated and trans fat intake
Rationale: While dietary cholesterol does have some effect, the intake of
saturated and trans fats has the most significant impact on raising blood
cholesterol levels. These fats increase LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
Carbohydrates and total fat intake are less directly influential.
8. What is emulsification in the context of fat digestion?
A) The breakdown of proteins into amino acids
B) The process of breaking large fat globules into smaller droplets
C) The absorption of fatty acids into the lymphatic system
D) The transport of cholesterol to the liver
Correct Answer: The process of breaking large fat globules into smaller
droplets
Rationale: Emulsification is the process by which bile salts break down large
fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for digestive
enzymes like lipase to act upon. This is a mechanical, not chemical,
breakdown that occurs primarily in the small intestine.
