CBC Nutritional Science for Bariatrics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Thiamine (B1) deficiency after bariatric surgery can cause which serious neurological condition, especially with persistent vomiting?
- Wernicke encephalopathy (Correct answer)
- Scurvy
- Rickets
- Pellagra
Correct answer: Wernicke encephalopathy
Thiamine depletion from vomiting or poor intake can precipitate Wernicke encephalopathy.
Question 2: Which supplement combination should be spaced apart because they compete for absorption?
- Calcium and iron (Correct answer)
- Protein and water
- Vitamin C and iron
- Folate and B12
Correct answer: Calcium and iron
Calcium inhibits iron absorption, so these supplements should be taken at separate times.
Question 3: Which form of calcium is preferred after gastric bypass due to reduced stomach acid?
- Calcium carbonate
- Calcium citrate (Correct answer)
- Calcium phosphate
- Calcium gluconate
Correct answer: Calcium citrate
Calcium citrate is absorbed well without gastric acid, unlike carbonate.
Question 4: A patient reports hair loss around 3-6 months post-op. Which nutrient inadequacy is a common contributor alongside rapid weight loss?
- Excess sodium
- Inadequate protein (Correct answer)
- Excess vitamin C
- High fiber
Correct answer: Inadequate protein
Inadequate protein during rapid weight loss commonly contributes to telogen effluvium hair shedding.
Question 5: Which eating behavior is recommended to prevent overfilling the small gastric pouch?
- Eating quickly to finish before satiety
- Taking small bites and chewing thoroughly (Correct answer)
- Drinking soda with meals
- Eating three very large meals daily
Correct answer: Taking small bites and chewing thoroughly
Small bites and thorough chewing prevent obstruction and overfilling of the pouch.
Question 6: Protein sources are prioritized at meals primarily because protein does what?
- Provides the most calories per gram
- Preserves lean body mass and increases satiety (Correct answer)
- Is stored as glycogen
- Prevents all vitamin deficiencies
Correct answer: Preserves lean body mass and increases satiety
Adequate protein preserves muscle during weight loss and promotes fullness.
Question 7: Which lab is most appropriate to routinely monitor vitamin D status?
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (Correct answer)
- Serum calcium only
- Fasting glucose
- Serum albumin
Correct answer: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D
25-hydroxyvitamin D is the standard marker of vitamin D stores.
CBC Nutritional Science for Bariatrics 3
Thiamine (B1) deficiency after bariatric surgery can cause which serious neurological condition, especially with persistent vomiting?