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Food Sensitivities & Allergies Flashcards

7 cards from real IIN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Food Sensitivities & Allergies flashcards as text

  1. Which immune system component is primarily responsible for IgE-mediated food allergies?

    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.

  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:

    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.

  3. The 'Big 9' major food allergens recognized by the FDA include all of the following EXCEPT:

    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.

  4. Which symptom pattern is most characteristic of a true IgE-mediated food allergy rather than a food intolerance?

    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.

  5. An IIN health coach working with a client who has a peanut allergy should recommend that the client carry which emergency medication?

    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.

  6. Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) is caused by cross-reactivity between food proteins and:

    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.

  7. Which dietary strategy is most evidence-based for identifying personal food sensitivities?

    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.