Clinical Nutritionist CCN Gastrointestinal Health and Nutrition 2

Question 1

Which enzyme initiates carbohydrate digestion in the oral cavity?

Accepted Answer

Salivary amylase

Answer

Salivary amylase (ptyalin) cleaves alpha-1,4 glycosidic bonds in starch, beginning carbohydrate digestion before food reaches the stomach.

Question 2

Achlorhydria (absent stomach acid) most significantly impairs absorption of which nutrients?

Accepted Answer

Iron and vitamin B12

Answer

Gastric acid is required to reduce dietary iron from Fe3+ to the absorbable Fe2+ form and to release protein-bound B12 from food.

Question 3

The migrating motor complex (MMC) serves primarily as the intestinal 'housekeeper' by:

Accepted Answer

Sweeping bacteria and undigested debris through the gut between meals

Answer

The MMC, which occurs during fasting, generates peristaltic waves that clear bacteria and debris from the small intestine, preventing bacterial overgrowth.

Question 4

The low-FODMAP diet is considered the most evidence-based dietary intervention for managing:

Accepted Answer

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Answer

Multiple randomized controlled trials demonstrate that the low-FODMAP diet reduces IBS symptoms in approximately 50–75% of patients by limiting fermentable carbohydrates.

Question 5

Secretory IgA (sIgA) in the gut primarily functions to:

Accepted Answer

Neutralize pathogens and prevent their adherence to intestinal mucosa

Answer

sIgA is the dominant mucosal antibody; it coats pathogens and toxins, preventing their adherence to the epithelium without inducing inflammation.

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Practice Test

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Practice Test

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Gastrointestinal Health and Nutrition 2