Clinical Nutritionist CCN Gastrointestinal Health and Nutrition 3

Question 1

Approximately what percentage of bile acids undergo enterohepatic circulation via reabsorption in the terminal ileum?

Accepted Answer

95%

Answer

About 95% of bile acids are actively reabsorbed in the terminal ileum and returned to the liver via the portal circulation.

Question 2

The brush border enzyme lactase hydrolyzes lactose into which monosaccharides?

Accepted Answer

Glucose and galactose

Answer

Lactase cleaves the beta-1,4 glycosidic bond in lactose, releasing glucose and galactose for absorption.

Question 3

The gold-standard clinical test for diagnosing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is:

Accepted Answer

Lactulose or glucose hydrogen breath test

Answer

While jejunal aspirate culture is definitive, the lactulose or glucose hydrogen breath test is the practical gold-standard clinical tool due to its non-invasive nature and wide availability.

Question 4

Which condition has the strongest mechanistic evidence linking increased intestinal permeability (mediated by zonulin) to its pathogenesis?

Accepted Answer

Celiac disease

Answer

Celiac disease directly triggers zonulin release upon gliadin exposure, leading to measurable tight junction disruption that is central to its pathogenesis.

Question 5

The enteric nervous system is called the 'second brain' primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Contains 100–500 million neurons and can regulate digestion independently of the CNS

Answer

The enteric nervous system contains more neurons than the spinal cord and can coordinate complete digestive functions autonomously without CNS input.

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Practice Test

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Practice Test

Clinical Nutritionist CCN Gastrointestinal Health and Nutrition 3