Final answer:
The correct responses that a nurse should provide include: Phospholipids are essential for building plasma membranes, cholesterol is a building block for hormones like estrogen and testosterone, and triglycerides are the main form of fat in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
When explaining lipids to a patient who is confused after reading about them, a nurse should provide accurate and easily understandable information. Among the options provided:
- "Phospholipids are essential to building plasma membranes." - This statement is correct. Phospholipids are a critical component of cell membranes, providing structure and helping to regulate what enters and leaves a cell.
- "Cholesterol is a building block for estrogen and testosterone." - This is also true. Cholesterol serves as a precursor to many steroid hormones, including sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
- "Triglycerides are the major form of fat in the body." - This third statement is accurate. Triglycerides are stored in adipose tissue and used for energy.
- "Cholesterol in the diet is unnecessary as the liver synthesizes it." - Although the liver can synthesize cholesterol, dietary cholesterol still plays a role in the body. Thus, this statement might be misleading without further explanation.
- The claim about phospholipids preventing Alzheimer's disease is not supported by clear scientific evidence, so it shouldn't be presented as a fact.
Providing patients with clear and accurate health information empowers them to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare and lifestyle.