Chapter 8: Minerals Flashcards
Discuss the key aspects of major minerals.
How should a mineral be classified if it is required for major body processes and the daily recommended intake is 45 mg/day?
Trace
Trace minerals have a recommended intake less than 100 mg/day.
Major minerals have a recommended intake greater than 100 mg/day.
In which forms do minerals exist in the body?
-As part of vitamins
-As charged molecules
-Molecularly bound to other minerals
Which factors increase intestinal absorption of minerals?
-A healthy digestive tract
-Eating foods from animal sources
Which functions describe the major roles of calcium in the body?
-Calcium helps bones throughout life
-Providing a component of fibrin for blood clotting
-Assisting in the function of both nerves and muscles
An 80-year-old married woman is being educated about the amount of calcium that should be consumed daily in her diet. What information should she be given?
-“You will need the same amount as your husband.”
-“Women in your age group are advised to consume 1000 mg/day.”
A middle-aged woman is being educated about the importance of adequate amounts of calcium in the diet. What information should also be included in this education to help prevent a deficiency of calcium?
-Vitamin D is also important to maintain calcium levels.
-Physical activity has an impact on strengthening bones by increasing calcium deposits in the bones.
Which foods will provide a good source of calcium?
-Ice cream
-Collard greens
-Calcium-fortified orange juice
Which are functions of phosphorus in the body?
-Component of DNA
-Maintenance of pH balance
-Calcification of bones and teeth
-Stores energy as adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Which actions can help prevent phosphorus deficiency?
-Eating a well-balanced diet including a variety of food choices
-Avoiding dependence on antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide
Which foods are considered high in bioavailable phosphorus?
-Yogurt
-Turkey
-Egg yolks
Which information regarding hyponatremia is accurate?
Sodium helps to regulate the response of nerves and the contraction of muscles, so hyponatremia can lead to muscle cramps.
A 47-year-old patient has been found to be salt sensitive and is experiencing symptoms associated with excessive intake of sodium. Which findings and patient history are consistent with this diagnosis?
-Hypertension
-Hypernatremia
-Edema in feet and ankles
-An intake of sodium of approximately 2 g/day
Which statement is true regarding dietary salt requirements?
Sodium naturally occurs in food in amounts adequate to meet the body’s needs.
Which body functions may be affected by hypokalemia?
-Cardiac functioning
-Blood sugar regulation
-Blood pressure regulation
A middle-aged patient being treated for hypertension is diagnosed with hypokalemia. What dietary change would help the patient maintain adequate potassium levels?
Eating two to three servings of fresh fruits and vegetables at each meal
Which food choices are rich sources of potassium?
-Oranges
-Cooked halibut
-Roasted soybeans
Which description is accurate regarding the function of chloride in the acid-base reactions of cells?
Chloride changes places with a bicarbonate ion to maintain a consistency of charges
A patient is hospitalized for treatment of nausea and excessive vomiting. The patient was informed of a chloride deficiency and questions how this occurred. What are appropriate responses by the nurse?
-“The body became dehydrated and lost fluids along with sodium and chloride.”
-“Since so much chloride was lost through vomiting, there is not enough chloride for the kidneys to reabsorb.”
-“The vomiting caused a loss of gastric secretions, including hydrochloric acid, which is one way that the body stores chloride.”
A 45-year-old patient just received education about a healthy diet. Which responses by the patient indicate an accurate understanding of this information regarding chloride?
-“I should have about 2.3 grams of chloride per day.”
-“As I age, my need for chloride, just like my need for sodium, will gradually decrease.”
Which descriptions are accurate regarding the major roles of magnesium in the body?
-Magnesium assists with thermoregulation
-Magnesium assists in the maintenance of DNA
-Magnesium assists in the functioning of the heart
-Magnesium helps to provide energy for many metabolic reactions
Which conditions, if present, put a male patient at risk for hypomagnesemia?
-Consuming primarily processed foods
-Eating less than 400 mg of magnesium per day
-Malnutrition associated with excessive alcohol intake
An adult female patient is being educated on ways to ensure an adequate amount of magnesium is obtained. What information regarding magnesium intake is important to provide to this patient?
-Unprocessed foods are generally higher in magnesium
-The diet should include at least 310 mg of magnesium per day
-Consuming more than 350 mg of magnesium per day in the form of supplements can cause side effects
-A balanced diet usually includes enough magnesium to prevent deficiency unless the patient has a chronic condition
Which food combinations are rich in sulfur?
-Yogurt with almonds
-A hard-boiled egg and sausage
-A grilled cheese sandwich with milk
Which statement accurately describes a primary function of sulfur in the body?
Sulfur is a component of the structure of hair and nails.
A patient is receiving education on maintaining a healthy diet. What information should be included about ensuring an adequate intake of sulfur?
Eating a diet that includes the recommended amount of protein will also include enough sulfur
Which condition would affect the body’s iron level and lead to possible toxicity?
Liver cirrhosis
Which recommendations would a nurse make to a patient with zinc deficiency who does not eat fish, red meat, or poultry?
Encourage inclusion of zinc-fortified foods
Why does a vegan diet increase a patient’s dietary need for zinc?
Zinc is less available when obtained from plant sources
How does lactation affect selenium requirements?
Increased requirements of selenium are needed to support breast milk production
Which assessment findings would cause the nurse to suspect a patient has Kashin-Beck disease?
-Joint pain
-Joint deformity
Which patients are at risk for iron-deficiency anemia?
-A patient with anorexia nervosa
-A patient with a spleen laceration
-A patient who eats a diet high in oxalates
-A patient who is 1-year post gastric bypass surgery
A patient reports taking three iron-containing vitamin supplements per day, for a total of 80 mg/day over the past 4 months. Which physical assessment findings would the nurse anticipate?
-Melena
-Jaundice
-Irritability
-Chest pain
Which dietary recommendations would the nurse make to increase the intake of heme iron?
-Ribeye steak
-Roasted salmon
-Pan-fried liver and onions
The nurse is assessing a child whose mother had severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy. Which assessment findings would the nurse anticipate in the child?
-Hearing loss
-Small in stature
-Delay in cognitive development
Why is iodine deficiency rare in developed countries?
Iodine is frequently added to table salt in developed countries
Which assessment findings indicate iodine toxicity?
-Neck swelling
-Vision changes
-Cold intolerance
A patient with hypertension expresses concern regarding use of salt to maintain iodine levels. Which recommendation would the nurse make to ensure adequate iodine intake?
-Include baked potatoes in the diet
-Increase the amount of dietary seafood
When teaching the patient with a zinc deficiency, which body functions should the nurse include as being supported by zinc?
-DNA synthesis
-Wound healing
-Energy metabolism
-Growth hormone production
Which laboratory findings are expected in a patient with zinc toxicity?
Low white blood cell (WBC) count
Which body function would be interrupted by lack of selenium intake?
Thyroid function
Which factor could affect selenium levels?
An environment with frequent, excessive rain
Which patients can be at increased risk for fluoride deficiency?
Patients who live outside the city water zone
Which assessment findings would be expected with copper deficiency?
-Fatigue
-Low hematocrit
-Frequent illnesses
Which patient is at risk for manganese toxicity?
A patient receiving parenteral nutrition therapy
Which symptoms would indicate to the nurse the potential for molybdenum toxicity?
Severe joint pain
Which characteristic differentiates major minerals from trace minerals?
Major minerals are found in larger amounts in the body than trace minerals
Which mineral is essential in binding oxygen or carbon dioxide to hemoglobin during the respiratory cycle?
Iron
Selenium functions as which component in the body?
Antioxidant
Which food is the best source of phosphorus?
Eggs
Which amount represents the adequate intake of potassium for an adult male?
3.4 g
What is the recommended daily dietary intake of calcium for a 30 year old male?
1000 mg
Which mineral accumulates in calcified tissues and protects teeth and bones from mineral loss?
Fluoride
Which food is a good source of zinc?
-Beef
-Low-fat milk
-Creamy peanut butter
-Fried, breaded oysters
Where is chloride primarily found in the body?
Extracellular fluid compartments
Which mineral is essential to blood clotting?
Calcium
What is the maximum daily recommended dietary intake of magnesium for an adult woman?
320 mg
What is the basic function of iodine in the body?
Synthesizing thyroxine
Which mineral plays a key role in reproduction, optimal growth hormone activity, and successful synaptic neurotransmission?
Zinc
Which problem may occur as a result of zinc toxicity?
Copper deficiency
Which statement made by a pregnant patient indicates understanding of the role of zinc in the diet?
“Poor zinc intake in pregnancy can result in congenital malformations.”
Selenium, an essential part of an antioxidant enzyme, protects cells and lipid membranes from which process?
Oxidative damage
Which sign or symptom can occur with selenium toxicity?
-Hair loss
-Joint pain
-Nail discoloration
-GI upset
Which food source provides the highest amount of potassium?
Soybeans
What is the recommended daily dietary intake of phosphorus?
700 mg/day
Which statement by a patient following nutritional counseling indicates an understanding of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iodine?
“The RDA for men and women is 150 ug.”
