IIN Food Sensitivities & Allergies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which immune system component is primarily responsible for IgE-mediated food allergies?
- Mast cells and basophils (Correct answer)
- T-helper 1 cells
- Natural killer cells
- Regulatory T cells
Correct answer: Mast cells and basophils
IgE antibodies bind to mast cells and basophils, and upon re-exposure to the allergen these cells release histamine and other inflammatory mediators.
Question 2: A client reports bloating and diarrhea several hours after eating wheat but tests negative for celiac disease and wheat IgE. This most likely represents:
- Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (Correct answer)
- Lactose intolerance
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Oral allergy syndrome
Correct answer: Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity produces GI and systemic symptoms from gluten without the autoimmune damage of celiac or IgE-mediated allergy.
Question 3: The 'Big 9' major food allergens recognized by the FDA include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Corn (Correct answer)
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Shellfish
Correct answer: Corn
Corn is not one of the FDA's Big 9 allergens; the list includes milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
Question 4: Which symptom pattern is most characteristic of a true IgE-mediated food allergy rather than a food intolerance?
- Rapid onset within minutes to 2 hours after exposure (Correct answer)
- Delayed onset 12–48 hours after exposure
- Symptoms only after large quantities are consumed
- Primarily digestive symptoms without systemic involvement
Correct answer: Rapid onset within minutes to 2 hours after exposure
IgE-mediated reactions are rapid because preformed IgE triggers immediate mast cell degranulation upon allergen contact.
Question 5: An IIN health coach working with a client who has a peanut allergy should recommend that the client carry which emergency medication?
- Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) (Correct answer)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Ranitidine (Zantac)
- Prednisone tablets
Correct answer: Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen)
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis and must be administered promptly; antihistamines are too slow for life-threatening reactions.
Question 6: Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) is caused by cross-reactivity between food proteins and:
- Airborne pollen proteins (Correct answer)
- Latex proteins
- Fungal spores
- Dust mite proteins
Correct answer: Airborne pollen proteins
OAS occurs when proteins in raw fruits, vegetables, or nuts mimic pollen proteins, triggering localized oral tingling or itching in pollen-sensitized individuals.
Question 7: Which dietary strategy is most evidence-based for identifying personal food sensitivities?
- Structured elimination diet followed by systematic reintroduction (Correct answer)
- Indefinite avoidance of all top allergens
- Rotation diet cycling foods every four days
- Hair mineral analysis to detect reactive foods
Correct answer: Structured elimination diet followed by systematic reintroduction
The elimination-then-reintroduction protocol is the gold standard for pinpointing food sensitivities because it removes suspects and then reintroduces them one at a time to observe reactions.
IIN Food Sensitivities & Allergies 2
Which immune system component is primarily responsible for IgE-mediated food allergies?