Inelastic nucleon contributions in (e,e') nuclear response functions

We estimate the contribution of inelastic nucleon excitations to the (e,e{sup {prime}}) inclusive cross section in the CEBAF kinematic range. Calculations are based upon parameterizations of the nucleon structure functions measured at SLAC. Nuclear binding effects are included in a vector-scalar field theory, and are assumed to have a minimal effect on the nucleon excitation spectrum. We find that for q{approx_lt}1 GeV the elastic and inelastic nucleon contributions to the nuclear response functions are comparable, and can be separated, but with roughly a factor of 2 uncertainty in the latter from the extrapolation from data. In contrast, for q{approx_gt}2 GeV this uncertainty is greatly reduced but the elastic nucleon contribution is heavily dominated by the inelastic nucleon background. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}