Inflammation and Healing

Inflammation and Healing ( 4 Questions)

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has phenylketonuria (PKU). The nurse expects to find an elevated level of what substance in the client's blood?


Correct Answer: A

Choice A reason: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder where phenylalanine, an amino acid, cannot be converted into tyrosine, another amino acid, due to a deficiency of an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase. This leads to a buildup of phenylalanine and its metabolites in the blood and tissues, causing brain damage and mental retardation.

Choice B reason: Tyrosine is another amino acid that is normally produced from phenylalanine by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. However, in PKU, this enzyme is deficient, so tyrosine levels are low in the blood and tissues.

Choice C reason: Glucose is a simple sugar that is the main source of energy for the cells. It is not directly related to PKU, although some people with PKU may have low blood glucose levels due to dietary restrictions.

Choice D reason: Glycogen is a complex carbohydrate that is stored in the liver and muscles as a reserve source of energy. It is not directly related to PKU, although some people with PKU may have glycogen storage disease, which is a separate genetic disorder where glycogen cannot be broken down into glucose due to a deficiency of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphatase.




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