NTP Nutrient Deficiencies & Imbalances 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client presents with peripheral neuropathy, confusion, and ophthalmoplegia. Which deficiency is most likely responsible?
- Vitamin B12
- Thiamine (B1) (Correct answer)
- Pyridoxine (B6)
- Riboflavin (B2)
Correct answer: Thiamine (B1)
Thiamine deficiency causes Wernicke's encephalopathy, which classically presents with the triad of confusion, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia.
Question 2: Which mineral deficiency is most closely associated with impaired wound healing and loss of taste (hypogeusia)?
- Iron
- Copper
- Zinc (Correct answer)
- Selenium
Correct answer: Zinc
Zinc is essential for over 300 enzymatic reactions including collagen synthesis and taste receptor function, so deficiency impairs wound healing and causes hypogeusia.
Question 3: A vegan client shows macrocytic anemia, elevated homocysteine, and normal methylmalonic acid levels. Which deficiency is most consistent?
- Vitamin B12
- Folate (Correct answer)
- Iron
- Vitamin B6
Correct answer: Folate
Elevated homocysteine with normal methylmalonic acid points to folate deficiency rather than B12 deficiency, which would also raise methylmalonic acid.
Question 4: Prolonged exclusive breastfeeding without supplementation puts an infant at greatest risk for deficiency of which nutrient?
- Calcium
- Vitamin D (Correct answer)
- Folate
- Iron
Correct answer: Vitamin D
Human breast milk is low in vitamin D, so exclusively breastfed infants require supplementation to prevent rickets and deficiency.
Question 5: Which nutrient deficiency classically causes 'sundown' exacerbation of neurological symptoms and is associated with alcoholic cirrhosis?
- Magnesium (Correct answer)
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Manganese
Correct answer: Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency, common in alcoholism and liver disease, causes neuromuscular hyperexcitability, anxiety, and worsening symptoms that can parallel circadian changes.
Question 6: A client with fat malabsorption syndrome is most at risk for deficiency of which group of vitamins?
- B vitamins
- Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K (Correct answer)
- Vitamin C and B vitamins
- Water-soluble vitamins only
Correct answer: Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) require dietary fat and bile for absorption, so fat malabsorption directly impairs their uptake.
Question 7: Which deficiency is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia — the '3 Ds' of pellagra?
- Riboflavin (B2)
- Niacin (B3) (Correct answer)
- Thiamine (B1)
- Pantothenic acid (B5)
Correct answer: Niacin (B3)
Pellagra is caused by niacin (B3) deficiency and classically presents with the triad of dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.
NTP Nutrient Deficiencies & Imbalances 2
A client presents with peripheral neuropathy, confusion, and ophthalmoplegia.
Which deficiency is most likely responsible?