CSG CSG Nutritional Supplementation & Therapeutic Diets 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which vitamin supplement is most commonly recommended for older adults due to decreased cutaneous synthesis and reduced dietary intake?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D (Correct answer)
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin E
Correct answer: Vitamin D
Older adults have reduced ability to synthesize vitamin D in the skin and often have limited sun exposure, making supplementation essential for bone health and immune function.
Question 2: A mechanically altered diet is MOST appropriate for an older adult with which condition?
- Severe dysphagia with thin liquid aspiration
- Mild chewing difficulty due to poor dentition (Correct answer)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Lactose intolerance
Correct answer: Mild chewing difficulty due to poor dentition
A mechanically altered diet modifies food texture for ease of chewing and is appropriate for mild chewing difficulty, while severe dysphagia with aspiration requires thickened liquids.
Question 3: What is the recommended daily protein intake per kilogram of body weight for a healthy older adult to preserve lean muscle mass?
- 0.4–0.6 g/kg
- 0.8–1.2 g/kg (Correct answer)
- 1.8–2.2 g/kg
- 2.5–3.0 g/kg
Correct answer: 0.8–1.2 g/kg
Current evidence supports 0.8–1.2 g/kg/day of protein for healthy older adults, with higher amounts needed during illness or recovery to prevent sarcopenia.
Question 4: Which omega-3 fatty acid source is recommended in the diet of older adults to support cardiovascular and cognitive health?
- Saturated fat from red meat
- Trans fatty acids from processed foods
- EPA and DHA from fatty fish (Correct answer)
- Linoleic acid from corn oil
Correct answer: EPA and DHA from fatty fish
EPA and DHA from fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel provide anti-inflammatory benefits supporting heart health and cognitive function in older adults.
Question 5: A renal diet for an older adult with chronic kidney disease stage 3 typically restricts which nutrients?
- Calcium and magnesium
- Phosphorus and potassium (Correct answer)
- Iron and zinc
- Folate and thiamine
Correct answer: Phosphorus and potassium
CKD stages 3 and above often require restriction of phosphorus and potassium to prevent hyperphosphatemia and hyperkalemia as kidney filtration declines.
Question 6: Which dietary pattern is most supported by evidence for reducing cardiovascular disease risk in older adults?
- High-protein, low-carbohydrate diet
- Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and olive oil (Correct answer)
- Low-fat, high-simple-carbohydrate diet
- Carnivore diet emphasizing animal proteins
Correct answer: Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and olive oil
The Mediterranean diet has the strongest evidence base for reducing cardiovascular disease risk in older adults through its emphasis on healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants.
CSG CSG Nutritional Supplementation & Therapeutic Diets 1
Which vitamin supplement is most commonly recommended for older adults due to decreased cutaneous synthesis and reduced dietary intake?