Risk Assessment & Mitigation Flashcards

A client reports taking 10,000 IU of vitamin D daily without medical supervision. What is the primary risk the nutritionist should communicate?

Answer: Vitamin D toxicity leading to hypercalcemia

Chronic high-dose vitamin D supplementation can cause hypercalcemia, leading to nausea, kidney damage, and cardiovascular complications.

Which scenario most clearly indicates a conflict of interest risk in a nutritionist-client relationship?

Answer: Recommending a specific brand of protein powder from which the nutritionist earns commissions without disclosing this

Recommending products for personal financial gain without disclosure constitutes an undisclosed conflict of interest and breaches ethical standards.

What is the most appropriate action when a client's self-reported symptoms suggest orthorexia nervosa?

Answer: Refer the client to a mental health professional specializing in eating disorders

Orthorexia is an eating disorder requiring psychological intervention beyond the ISSA nutritionist's scope of practice.

Which blood biomarker, if elevated, would indicate the highest risk concern when a client is following a high saturated fat ketogenic diet?

Answer: Elevated LDL cholesterol, particularly small dense LDL particles

Elevated small dense LDL particles are strongly associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, which must be monitored on high saturated fat diets.

A pregnant client asks about mercury exposure from fish consumption. Which fish poses the HIGHEST risk and should be avoided?

Answer: Swordfish

Swordfish is a large predatory fish that bioaccumulates the highest levels of methylmercury, posing significant neurotoxicity risk to fetal development.

What is the most significant risk of recommending very high doses of iron supplementation to a male client who has not been diagnosed with iron deficiency?

Answer: Reduced zinc absorption and iron overload toxicity

Excess iron supplementation in males without diagnosed deficiency can cause iron overload (hemochromatosis risk), oxidative stress, and inhibit zinc absorption.

Under the ISSA framework, which of the following represents the correct escalation pathway when a client discloses an eating disorder history?

Answer: Document the disclosure, pause intensive dietary programming, and coordinate with the client's treatment team

A history of eating disorders requires coordinated care with the client's treatment team before implementing dietary changes, to avoid triggering relapse.