______ refer to essential nutrients required in relatively large quantities to support various metabolic functions and provide energy.

Appeared in: DSSSB 13 August 2024

Explanation

Macronutrients are essential nutrients the body needs in large amounts (grams) to function correctly.
They are the only class of nutrients that provide energy, which is measured in kilocalories (kcal).
This group includes carbohydrates (providing 4 kcal/g), proteins (4 kcal/g), and fats (providing 9 kcal/g).
They also serve as the building blocks for tissues and play a role in various metabolic processes.

Option A: Micronutrients are required in very small quantities (milligrams or micrograms) and do not provide the body with energy.
Option C: Minerals are a sub-category of micronutrients. They are inorganic elements that are crucial for structural and regulatory functions (e.g., bone formation, nerve function) but do not yield energy.
Option D: Vitamins are organic micronutrients that facilitate metabolic processes, often acting as coenzymes. They are vital for health but do not provide energy themselves.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of nutrients based on quantity required and energy provision as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses use knowledge of macronutrients to assess nutritional status, plan therapeutic diets for conditions like diabetes, obesity, and malnutrition, and calculate a patient's energy requirements for healing.
Understanding macronutrient balance is critical in managing parenteral or enteral feeding to ensure patient needs are met without causing metabolic complications.
What if? If a patient has chronic kidney disease, their diet would be modified to restrict protein (a macronutrient) to reduce the metabolic load on the kidneys and prevent the buildup of nitrogenous waste.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrases in the question stem: 'large quantities' and 'provide energy'.
Recall the basic classification of nutrients. The prefix 'macro-' means large, and 'micro-' means small.
This immediately links the term 'large quantities' to 'Macronutrients'.
Next, confirm the function. Recall which nutrients provide energy (calories). The energy-yielding nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Since carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the three types of macronutrients, this confirms the answer.
Eliminate the other options: Micronutrients, by definition, are needed in small amounts. Vitamins and minerals are types of micronutrients and do not provide energy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of nutrients based on quantity required and energy provision.
Stem keywords: essential nutrients, large quantities, provide energy
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE

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E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & DieteticsHarbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) pp. 242-244, 241-243

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 487-489

Practise the full DSSSB 13 August 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.