During a nutrition in-service, which statement should the nurse include?

During a nutrition in-service, which statement should the nurse include?

• A. Carbohydrates prevent interstitial edema
• B. Fats regulate fluid balance
• C. Fats provide energy
• D. Carbohydrates repair body tissue

Answer: (C)

Understanding energy sources in nutrition is essential. Fats provide energy because they yield about 9 kcal per gram, more than carbohydrates or protein (around 4 kcal per gram). This makes fats a highly concentrated energy source, especially important for sustained activity and for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins. The other statements aren’t accurate: carbohydrates don’t prevent interstitial edema, fluid balance isn’t regulated by fats, and repairing body tissue is a role of protein, not carbohydrates. So including that fats provide energy gives the most correct, useful takeaway for the in-service.

Understanding energy sources in nutrition is essential. Fats provide energy because they yield about 9 kcal per gram, more than carbohydrates or protein (around 4 kcal per gram). This makes fats a highly concentrated energy source, especially important for sustained activity and for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins. The other statements aren’t accurate: carbohydrates don’t prevent interstitial edema, fluid balance isn’t regulated by fats, and repairing body tissue is a role of protein, not carbohydrates. So including that fats provide energy gives the most correct, useful takeaway for the in-service.