NSC Nutrition Interventions 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A construction worker exposed to lead should increase intake of which nutrient to help minimize lead absorption?
- Vitamin D
- Calcium (Correct answer)
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- Zinc
Correct answer: Calcium
Adequate calcium intake competes with lead for absorption in the gut, reducing the amount of lead that enters the bloodstream.
Question 2: Which condition is a common nutritional consequence of prolonged night-shift work?
- Hyperthyroidism
- Vitamin D deficiency (Correct answer)
- Iron toxicity
- Hyperkalemia
Correct answer: Vitamin D deficiency
Night-shift workers have reduced sun exposure, which limits the skin's production of vitamin D, increasing deficiency risk.
Question 3: For a worker managing type 2 diabetes, which meal strategy is most important during a work shift?
- Eating one large meal to simplify scheduling
- Consuming regular, balanced meals and snacks to stabilize blood glucose (Correct answer)
- Avoiding all carbohydrates during the shift
- Drinking juice frequently to prevent hypoglycemia
Correct answer: Consuming regular, balanced meals and snacks to stabilize blood glucose
Consistent meal timing with balanced macronutrients prevents dangerous blood glucose fluctuations in workers with type 2 diabetes.
Question 4: What is the NSC's primary concern regarding energy drink consumption in the workplace?
- They are too expensive for workers
- High caffeine and sugar content may cause energy crashes and impaired alertness (Correct answer)
- They increase worker productivity too much
- They are not regulated by any agency
Correct answer: High caffeine and sugar content may cause energy crashes and impaired alertness
Energy drinks with high caffeine and sugar can cause initial stimulation followed by a crash, ultimately impairing the alertness and reaction time needed for safe work.
Question 5: Which nutrient plays the most important role in supporting immune function for workers in high-exposure environments?
- Saturated fat
- Refined sugar
- Vitamin C (Correct answer)
- Sodium
Correct answer: Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports the immune system by stimulating the production and function of white blood cells.
Question 6: A wellness coordinator wants to assess nutritional risk in workers. Which screening tool is most commonly used?
- Blood pressure cuff reading
- Body Mass Index (BMI) combined with dietary history (Correct answer)
- Grip strength test
- Urinalysis only
Correct answer: Body Mass Index (BMI) combined with dietary history
BMI combined with a dietary history provides a practical, evidence-based initial screen for nutritional risk factors in occupational health settings.
Question 7: Which dietary pattern is most strongly associated with reduced risk of chronic disease, as recommended in occupational health programs?
- High-protein, zero-carbohydrate diet
- Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats (Correct answer)
- High-calorie diet for energy maintenance
- A liquid-only diet for digestive rest
Correct answer: Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats
The Mediterranean diet is backed by extensive research showing significant reductions in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and inflammation.
NSC Nutrition Interventions 4
A construction worker exposed to lead should increase intake of which nutrient to help minimize lead absorption?