CDN Cultural Competency in Nutrition 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A South Asian patient with type 2 diabetes consumes white rice at every meal as a cultural staple. The dietitian's most appropriate intervention is to:
- Eliminate white rice entirely from the diet
- Counsel the patient to replace rice with bread and pasta
- Discuss portion control and glycemic management strategies that preserve rice in the diet (Correct answer)
- Advise the patient that cultural foods are incompatible with diabetes management
Correct answer: Discuss portion control and glycemic management strategies that preserve rice in the diet
Effective diabetes management can incorporate cultural staples by focusing on portion size, preparation methods, and meal composition.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'emic' versus 'etic' perspectives in cultural nutrition assessment?
- Emic refers to external scientific observation; etic refers to the patient's internal viewpoint
- Emic reflects the insider's (patient's) cultural viewpoint; etic reflects the outsider's (practitioner's) perspective (Correct answer)
- Emic means evidence-based; etic means culturally influenced
- Emic applies to non-Western cultures; etic applies to Western populations
Correct answer: Emic reflects the insider's (patient's) cultural viewpoint; etic reflects the outsider's (practitioner's) perspective
In anthropology and nutrition, 'emic' is the insider cultural perspective and 'etic' is the outsider or researcher perspective.
Question 3: A West African patient reports eating a traditional diet high in palm oil. What is the most culturally competent nutritional counseling approach?
- Immediately replace all palm oil with olive oil in the diet plan
- Acknowledge the cultural role of palm oil and discuss moderation and healthier cooking methods (Correct answer)
- Advise the patient that palm oil is toxic and must be avoided
- Refer the patient to a cardiologist before making any dietary recommendations
Correct answer: Acknowledge the cultural role of palm oil and discuss moderation and healthier cooking methods
Palm oil has deep cultural significance in West African cuisine; a balanced approach addresses saturated fat content without dismissing cultural food identity.
Question 4: Which of the following is a known nutritional risk associated with rapid dietary acculturation among immigrants to the US?
- Increased consumption of traditional whole foods
- Decreased reliance on packaged and processed foods
- Higher intake of ultra-processed foods and added sugars (Correct answer)
- Improved micronutrient status due to food variety
Correct answer: Higher intake of ultra-processed foods and added sugars
Rapid acculturation often leads immigrants to adopt Western dietary patterns characterized by higher intakes of processed foods, fast food, and added sugars.
Question 5: A dietitian is designing a community nutrition program for a predominantly Ethiopian immigrant neighborhood. Which step is most essential before launching the program?
- Translate existing US dietary guidelines into Amharic and distribute them
- Conduct a community needs assessment involving local leaders and community members (Correct answer)
- Assume traditional Ethiopian foods are nutritionally adequate and require no intervention
- Focus the program exclusively on American food options to accelerate acculturation
Correct answer: Conduct a community needs assessment involving local leaders and community members
A community needs assessment involving stakeholders ensures the program is culturally relevant, addresses actual needs, and builds community trust.
Question 6: A dietitian is counseling a Seventh-day Adventist patient who follows a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet for religious reasons. Which nutrient should be prioritized in the assessment?
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12 (Correct answer)
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
Correct answer: Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is found primarily in animal products; lacto-ovo-vegetarians may consume it through dairy and eggs but should still be assessed for adequacy.
Question 7: Which communication strategy is most effective when counseling a patient with limited English proficiency about a complex dietary change?
- Use medical jargon to ensure precision
- Speak loudly and slowly in English
- Use teach-back methods with a trained interpreter and visual aids (Correct answer)
- Provide a lengthy written handout in English for the patient to translate at home
Correct answer: Use teach-back methods with a trained interpreter and visual aids
The teach-back method combined with professional interpretation and visual aids ensures comprehension and improves dietary adherence.
CDN Cultural Competency in Nutrition 4
A South Asian patient with type 2 diabetes consumes white rice at every meal as a cultural staple.
The dietitian's most appropriate intervention is to: