CDN Pediatric & Geriatric Nutrition 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended protein intake (g/kg/day) for a healthy older adult (>65 years) to preserve muscle mass?
- 0.6–0.7 g/kg/day
- 0.8 g/kg/day
- 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day (Correct answer)
- 1.8–2.0 g/kg/day
Correct answer: 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day
Research supports 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day of protein for older adults to counter anabolic resistance and preserve lean body mass.
Question 2: A breastfed infant whose mother follows a strict vegan diet is at risk for deficiency of which vitamin that requires supplementation?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12 (Correct answer)
- Vitamin E
Correct answer: Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products; vegan mothers have low B12 in breast milk, putting infants at risk for neurological damage.
Question 3: Which dietary modification is first-line for an older adult with dysphagia at risk of aspiration?
- Restricting all solids
- Texture-modified foods and thickened liquids per IDDSI framework (Correct answer)
- High-fiber diet
- Nasogastric tube feeding immediately
Correct answer: Texture-modified foods and thickened liquids per IDDSI framework
The IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) framework provides evidence-based texture and liquid modification levels to reduce aspiration risk.
Question 4: Failure to thrive (FTT) in a 9-month-old is most commonly caused by:
- Congenital hypothyroidism
- Inadequate caloric intake (Correct answer)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Milk protein allergy
Correct answer: Inadequate caloric intake
The majority of FTT cases are non-organic and result from inadequate caloric intake due to feeding difficulties, psychosocial issues, or improper formula preparation.
Question 5: Which nutrient deficiency is a major risk in elderly patients taking long-term proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)?
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Vitamin B12 (Correct answer)
- Iron
Correct answer: Vitamin B12
PPIs reduce gastric acid secretion needed to cleave B12 from food proteins, impairing absorption and leading to deficiency over time.
Question 6: At what age does the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend introducing peanut-containing foods to high-risk infants (with severe eczema or egg allergy) to prevent peanut allergy?
- 2–3 months
- 4–6 months (Correct answer)
- 9–12 months
- 12–18 months
Correct answer: 4–6 months
Based on the LEAP trial, early introduction of peanuts at 4–6 months in high-risk infants significantly reduces the risk of developing peanut allergy.
Question 7: An 85-year-old with decreased appetite and 10% unintentional weight loss over 6 months meets criteria for which nutritional condition?
- Mild malnutrition
- Moderate malnutrition
- Severe malnutrition (Correct answer)
- Overweight
Correct answer: Severe malnutrition
Per ASPEN/AND consensus, unintentional weight loss ≥5% in 1 month or ≥10% in 6 months with reduced intake meets criteria for severe malnutrition in older adults.
CDN Pediatric & Geriatric Nutrition 4
What is the recommended protein intake (g/kg/day) for a healthy older adult (>65 years) to preserve muscle mass?