Clinical Nutritionist CCN Micronutrients and Deficiencies 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which vitamin deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults?
- Vitamin D (Correct answer)
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
Correct answer: Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency impairs calcium and phosphorus absorption, leading to defective bone mineralization manifesting as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
Question 2: A patient presents with bleeding gums, petechiae, and poor wound healing. Which nutrient deficiency is most likely?
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (Correct answer)
- Vitamin K
- Iron
- Zinc
Correct answer: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Scurvy results from vitamin C deficiency, impairing collagen synthesis and causing fragile blood vessels, bleeding gums, and impaired wound healing.
Question 3: Which mineral is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones T3 and T4?
- Iodine (Correct answer)
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Chromium
Correct answer: Iodine
Iodine is an essential component of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4); deficiency leads to hypothyroidism and goiter.
Question 4: What is the primary function of vitamin K in the body?
- Carboxylation of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X (Correct answer)
- Calcium absorption in the intestine
- Antioxidant protection of cell membranes
- Synthesis of steroid hormones
Correct answer: Carboxylation of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X
Vitamin K serves as a cofactor for gamma-carboxylase, which activates clotting factors and bone proteins by adding carboxyl groups to glutamate residues.
Question 5: Pernicious anemia results from a deficiency of which vitamin due to lack of intrinsic factor?
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) (Correct answer)
- Folate
- Vitamin B6
- Niacin
Correct answer: Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
Pernicious anemia is caused by impaired vitamin B12 absorption when intrinsic factor (produced by gastric parietal cells) is absent, leading to megaloblastic anemia and neurological damage.
Question 6: Which micronutrient deficiency is most prevalent worldwide and commonly causes iron-deficiency anemia?
- Iron (Correct answer)
- Zinc
- Calcium
- Vitamin A
Correct answer: Iron
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency globally, presenting as microcytic hypochromic anemia, fatigue, and impaired cognitive function.
Clinical Nutritionist CCN Micronutrients and Deficiencies 1
Which vitamin deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults?