Quantitative scenario: If a patient loses 40% of functional small intestinal surface area due to surgical resection and we assume nutrient absorption is directly proportional to surface area, by what percentage would maximum nutrient absorption capacity change? Show your calculations and boxed final numeric answer.

• A. No change in absorption because the small intestine adapts rapidly and instantly restores absorption to 100% regardless of surface area loss
• B. A 40% decrease in maximum nutrient absorption capacity (absorption reduced to 60% of baseline)
• C. A 60% decrease in absorption capacity because the remaining surface area handles 60% less effectively when compared to pre-resection performance
• D. An increase in absorption by 40% due to compensatory hyperactivity of remaining enterocytes which overcompensate and increase per-area absorption

Answer: (B)