What component is highlighted for improving oral fluid absorption in dehydration management?

What component is highlighted for improving oral fluid absorption in dehydration management?

• A. Glucose and sodium
• B. Potassium and phosphate
• C. Calcium and magnesium
• D. Protein and fat

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that water absorption in the gut is enhanced when glucose is present with sodium. In the small intestine, sodium and glucose are taken up together through the sodium-glucose co-transport mechanism (SGLT1). As sodium moves into enterocytes with glucose, water follows by osmosis, speeding rehydration. This is the principle behind oral rehydration solutions: they include glucose and sodium to maximize fluid absorption. Other pairs like potassium with phosphate, calcium with magnesium, or protein with fat are important for overall nutrition and electrolyte balance, but they don’t drive the rapid intestinal water uptake the way glucose paired with sodium does.

The key idea is that water absorption in the gut is enhanced when glucose is present with sodium. In the small intestine, sodium and glucose are taken up together through the sodium-glucose co-transport mechanism (SGLT1). As sodium moves into enterocytes with glucose, water follows by osmosis, speeding rehydration. This is the principle behind oral rehydration solutions: they include glucose and sodium to maximize fluid absorption. Other pairs like potassium with phosphate, calcium with magnesium, or protein with fat are important for overall nutrition and electrolyte balance, but they don’t drive the rapid intestinal water uptake the way glucose paired with sodium does.