Water & Minerals

Question 1

Water functions

Answer 1

• 60% of total body weight
• Provides shape and structure to cells
• Regulate body temperature
• Aids in the digestion and absorption of nutrients
• Major component of mucus and lubricating fluids

Question 2

TRUE OR FALSE: Total body water balance is tightly regulated within ±0.2% of
body weight.

Answer 2

TRUE

Question 3

What controls our daily fluid balance?

Answer 3

Sensation of thirst

The action of the hormone vasopressin

Question 4

How much water do asults lose daily?

Answer 4

1750 - 3000 mL

Question 5

Types of water output

Answer 5

Insensible

Sensible

Question 6

Adequate Intake for men 19-70+

Answer 6

3.7 L/day

Question 7

Adequate Intake for men 19-70+

Answer 7

2.7 L/day

Question 8

TRUE OR FALSE: Drinking fluids should not be delayed until the sensation of thirst occurs

Answer 8

TRUE

Question 9

Increases in water loss

Answer 9

o Vomiting, diarrhea, and fever

o Thermal injuries, fistulas, uncontrolled diabetes, hemorrhage, and certain renal disorders

o Use of drainage tubes contributes to increased water losses.

o Intake and output records are used to assess adequacy of intake

Question 10

Dehydration is characterized by:

Answer 10

o Impaired mental function

o Impaired motor control

o Increased body temperature during exercise

o Increased resting heart rate when standing or lying down

o Increased risk of life-threatening heat stroke

Question 11

What patients are at risk for hyponatremia?

Answer 11

• Infants
• Psychiatric patients with excessive thirst
• Women who have undergone surgery using a uterine distention medium
• Athletes in endurance events who drink too much water, fail to replace lost
  sodium, or both.

Question 12

Major minerals

Answer 12

Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Sulfur
Sodium
Potassium, 
Chloride

Question 13

Trace minerals

Answer 13

Iron
Iodine
Zinc
Selenium
Copper
Manganese
Fluoride

Question 14

TRUE OR FALSE: Minerals undergo digestion, nor are they broken
down or rearranged during metabolism

Answer 14

FALSE. Minerals do not undergo digestion, nor are they broken
down or rearranged during metabolism

Question 15

TRUE OR FALSE: Minerals are not destroyed by light, air, heat, or acids
during food preparation

Answer 15

TRUE

Question 16

Function of minerals

Answer 16

Provide structure to body tissues

Regulate body processes.

Question 17

Mineral balance is maintained by:

Answer 17

o Releasing minerals from storage for redistribution

o Altering rate of absorption

o Altering rate of excretion

Question 18

Sodium

Answer 18

Salt is approx. 40% sodium

• Major extracellular cation
• Largely responsible for regulating fluid balance
• Adequate intake: 1500mg/day

Question 19

Potassium

Answer 19

– Major cation of the intracellular fluid

– When potassium excretion is impaired, such as secondary to diabetes,
chronic renal insufficiency, end- stage renal disease, severe heart failure,
and adrenal insufficiency, high potassium intakes can lead to hyperkalemia
and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.

Question 20

Calcium

Answer 20

• Most plentiful mineral in the body
• Probably protect against colorectal cancer
• Calcium balance achieved through action of vitamin D and hormones
• 3 daily servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese plus nondairy
  sources of calcium are needed to ensure an adequate calcium
  intake.

Question 21

Phosphorus

Answer 21

• Second most abundant mineral in the body is
  phosphorus.
• About 60% of natural phosphorus from food sources is absorbed.

Question 22

Magnesium

Answer 22

Fourth most abundant mineral in the body

Question 23

Chloride

Answer 23

– Major anion in the extracellular fluid

– AI for younger adults is 2.3 g/day

Question 24

Iron

Answer 24

• Approximately two-thirds of the body’s 3 to 5 g of iron is contained
  in the heme portion of hemoglobin.

Sources:

• Heme iron: meat, fish and poultry
• Nonheme iron: plants such as grains, vegetables, legumes and nuts

Deficiency:

• Microcytic, hypochromic anemia
• Pica

Toxicity:

• Potential for toxicity is moderate to high.
• Hemochromatosis
• Acute iron toxicity

Question 25

RDA for iron

Answer 25

8 mg for men and postmenopausal women

18 mg for premenopausal women.

Question 26

Zinc

Answer 26

• A regular and sufficient intake is necessary.

• Plays important roles in immune system functioning and in
wound healing

Question 27

Iodine

Answer 27

Essential component of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine

T3

Question 28

Copper

Answer 28

Distributed in muscles, liver, brain, bones, kidneys, and blood

Functions: involved in

• hemoglobin synthesis,
• collagen formation,
• wound healing
• maintenance of nerve fibers

Question 29

• Fluoride

Answer 29

Promotes the mineralization of developing tooth enamel prior to tooth eruption and the remineralization of surface enamel in erupted teeth

Question 30

Molybdenum

Answer 30

Plays a role in red blood cell synthesis

Question 31

Chromium

Answer 31

Enhances the action of the hormone insulin to help regulate

blood glucose levels