BHS Nutrition and Dietetics 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which condition is characterized by iron-deficiency anemia, glossitis, and koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails)?
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Sideroblastic anemia
- Microcytic hypochromic anemia from iron deficiency (Correct answer)
- Hemolytic anemia
Correct answer: Microcytic hypochromic anemia from iron deficiency
Iron-deficiency anemia produces microcytic, hypochromic red cells and systemic signs like glossitis and koilonychia due to impaired heme and enzyme synthesis.
Question 2: Which dietary pattern has the strongest evidence for reducing cardiovascular disease risk and overall mortality in large prospective studies?
- Ketogenic diet
- Mediterranean diet (Correct answer)
- Paleo diet
- Low-fat diet
Correct answer: Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, vegetables, legumes, fish, and whole grains, consistently reduces cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in major trials including PREDIMED.
Question 3: A patient with phenylketonuria (PKU) must severely restrict intake of which amino acid to prevent neurological damage?
- Tyrosine
- Phenylalanine (Correct answer)
- Tryptophan
- Methionine
Correct answer: Phenylalanine
PKU results from phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency, causing toxic accumulation of phenylalanine and its metabolites if dietary intake is not restricted.
Question 4: Refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal complication, is most associated with rapid reintroduction of nutrition in severely malnourished patients due to acute drops in which electrolyte?
- Sodium
- Calcium
- Phosphate (Correct answer)
- Chloride
Correct answer: Phosphate
Carbohydrate refeeding stimulates insulin, driving phosphate into cells for ATP synthesis, causing profound hypophosphatemia (refeeding syndrome).
Question 5: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting added sugars to no more than what percentage of total daily calories?
- 5%
- 10% (Correct answer)
- 15%
- 20%
Correct answer: 10%
The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10% of total daily caloric intake.
Question 6: Which enzyme deficiency causes lactose intolerance by leaving undigested lactose to be fermented by colonic bacteria, producing gas and osmotic diarrhea?
- Sucrase
- Maltase
- Lactase (Correct answer)
- Isomaltase
Correct answer: Lactase
Lactase deficiency prevents hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose; unabsorbed lactose causes osmotic diarrhea and fermentation-related bloating.
Question 7: A vegan patient is at highest risk for deficiency in which nutrient that is found almost exclusively in animal-source foods?
- Iron
- Zinc
- Vitamin B12 (Correct answer)
- Omega-3 fatty acids
Correct answer: Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is synthesized only by microorganisms and is naturally present in meaningful amounts only in animal-derived foods, making supplementation essential for vegans.
BHS Nutrition and Dietetics 5
Which condition is characterized by iron-deficiency anemia, glossitis, and koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails)?