Nutrient Deficiencies & Imbalances Flashcards

A client with osteoporosis who avoids dairy and sun exposure should be evaluated for combined deficiency of which two nutrients most directly involved in bone mineralization?

Answer: Vitamin D and calcium

Vitamin D is required for intestinal calcium absorption; combined deficiency of both leads to inadequate bone mineralization and increased fracture risk.

Essential fatty acid deficiency is most likely to present with which cluster of symptoms?

Answer: Scaly dermatitis, hair loss, and impaired wound healing

Deficiency of essential fatty acids (especially linoleic acid) classically causes scaly dermatitis, alopecia, and impaired tissue repair due to disrupted cell membrane integrity.

Which nutrient deficiency is most associated with impaired thyroid hormone synthesis and endemic goiter?

Answer: Iodine

Iodine is a structural component of thyroid hormones T3 and T4; its deficiency prevents adequate hormone synthesis, causing TSH-driven thyroid gland enlargement (goiter).

A client with chronic kidney disease on dialysis is at high risk for which vitamin deficiency due to removal during dialysis sessions?

Answer: Vitamin C

Vitamin C is water-soluble and is removed during hemodialysis, requiring supplementation in dialysis patients to prevent deficiency.

In nutritional therapy, 'refeeding syndrome' is primarily caused by a rapid drop in which electrolyte upon resuming feeding after prolonged starvation?

Answer: Phosphorus

Refeeding syndrome is characterized by severe hypophosphatemia as insulin released by carbohydrate intake drives phosphorus into cells for ATP production, depleting serum levels.

Which deficiency can cause 'koilonychia' (spoon-shaped nails) along with fatigue and pallor?

Answer: Iron

Iron deficiency anemia can cause koilonychia, a nail deformity where nails become concave or spoon-shaped, along with classic anemia symptoms of fatigue and pallor.

A child with bowed legs, widened wrists, and craniotabes is presenting with signs of which deficiency?

Answer: Vitamin D

Rickets, caused by vitamin D deficiency in children, leads to impaired calcium absorption and bone mineralization, producing bowed legs, widened growth plates, and softened skull bones (craniotabes).