@JohnAtMC: I looked at Zax's page before you posted the link and before I asked the question. That is what confused me. Anyway, at least I have the answer now.
@barenl: I understand what you're saying. If finding all the items in a quest brings back your carrot nose and starts the game with an additional life, that is not the item, that is the quest. However, if there is only one item in a quest, like with Igor's Carrot, some people would think the item triggers the effect, but it is actually the quest. Sometimes it could be the item, though.
