A patient with advanced colon cancer just had most of his large intestine removed. What process will be most reduced in this patient as compared to a healthy person?

Question

A.  absorption of fatty acids and glycerol into lymph capillaries
B.  absorption of water into the blood
C.  detoxification of harmful substances
D.  digestion of cellulose
E.  absorption of sugars and amino acids into the blood

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?

Gather Content
· What do you know about the function of the large intestine? What other information is related to the question?

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
 

Answer 1

B.  absorption of water into the blood

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o The question asks about the function of the large intestine.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o You are being asked to apply your knowledge about the function of the large intestine.

Gather Content
· What do you know about the function of the large intestine? What other information is related to the question?
        o After food enters the stomach, the food passes to the small intestine, where a battery of digestive enzymes continues the digestive process. The products of digestion, together with minerals and water, are absorbed across the wall of the small intestine into the bloodstream. What remains is emptied into the large intestine, where some of the remaining water and minerals are absorbed.

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o The primary function of the large intestines is to absorb water. If the large intestines were removed the patient would become dehydrated as not enough water would return to the blood.

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked you to apply your knowledge about the function of the large intestine. If you got the correct answer, great job! If you got an incorrect answer, where did the process break down? Did you think that sugars or fatty acids were absorbed in the large intestines? Did you think that cellulose was digested in the large intestines?