A patient informs you that he has had a section of his small intestine removed due to cancer. You recognize that with the removal of small intestine, the patient is less able to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The small intestine is responsible for the absorption of nutrients from food, including vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. With a section of the small intestine removed, the patient may have reduced ability to absorb these nutrients, leading to malnutrition and related complications. While digestion of food occurs primarily in the stomach and small intestine, the removal of a section of the small intestine should not have a major impact on overall digestion. Insulin secretion primarily occurs in the pancreas, which is a separate organ from the small intestine. While the small intestine does play a role in breaking down fats, this is not its primary function, and other organs such as the liver and pancreas also contribute to this process.

A Patient Informs You That He Has Had a Section