Question

The patient tells the nurse, "My doctor says I have high levels of fat in my blood. Is that like big pieces of fat floating around?" What is the best response by the nurse?

1. "No, fats in your blood are carried inside small molecules called phospholipids."
2. "No, actually fats travel in the blood on little proteins called lipoproteins."
3. "No, that is not a good description of fat transport; ask your doctor again."
4. "No, the fats are encapsulated inside little bags known as lecithins."

Answer 1

Fats are transported in the blood within proteins called lipoproteins, not as big pieces of fat. Lipoproteins are necessary for the regulation of lipid levels and prevention of arterial buildup.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response by the nurse would be: "No, actually fats travel in the blood on little proteins called lipoproteins." Lipids such as cholesterol are insoluble in water and must be transported through the bloodstream in combination with proteins. These lipid-protein complexes, known as lipoproteins, are classified by their density, which affects their role in the body.

There are different types of lipoproteins, including High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL), sometimes referred to as 'good cholesterol', which carry cholesterol back to the liver from other tissues, and Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) or 'bad cholesterol', which transport cholesterol from the liver to the cells. These lipoproteins are essential in regulating lipid levels in the body and preventing the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, which can lead to conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, or stroke.