Nutrition and Health Practice Questions

Q: What is the extra energy needed per day during pregnancy?

350 Kcal. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **350 Kcal/day**. This value is based on the **ICMR-NIN (2020) guidelines**, which are the current gold standard for NEET-PG. **1. Why 350 Kcal is Correct:** During pregnancy, extra energy is required to support the growth of the fetus, placenta, and maternal tissues (uterus and breasts), as well as the increased basal metabolic rate (BMR). According to the latest ICMR recommendations, a pregnant woman requires an additional **+350 Kcal/day** over her pre-pregnancy sedentary/moderate/heavy work requirement. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **150 Kcal:** This is significantly lower than the physiological requirement for any stage of pregnancy. * **200 Kcal:** This does not meet the metabolic demands of the second and third trimesters. * **300 Kcal:** This was the **previous ICMR recommendation** (prior to 2020). Many older textbooks still list this value, but for current exams, 350 Kcal is the updated standard. **3. High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Lactation:** The extra energy requirement is much higher during lactation: **+600 Kcal/day** (0–6 months) and **+520 Kcal/day** (6–12 months). * **Protein Requirement:** During pregnancy, the additional protein requirement is **+9.5 g/day** (2nd trimester) and **+22.0 g/day** (3rd trimester). * **Iron:** Requirement increases to **27 mg/day** during pregnancy. * **Calcium:** Requirement remains the same as a non-pregnant woman (**1000 mg/day**) according to 2020 guidelines, as absorption efficiency increases naturally.

Q: Under the National Programme for Prevention of Nutritional Blindness, what is the mega dose of vitamin A given to a child in the age group of 6-11 months?

1 Lakh IU. **Explanation:** The **National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme** (now part of the National Programme for Control of Blindness) aims to prevent Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and its ocular manifestation, Xerophthalmia. Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining the integrity of epithelial tissues and the visual cycle. **Why 1 Lakh IU is correct:** According to the current operational guidelines in India, the first dose of Vitamin A is administered at **9 months of age** (along with the Measles/MR vaccine). For infants aged **6–11 months**, the recommended mega dose is **1 Lakh IU** (1 ml). This dosage is calculated to provide sufficient hepatic stores without causing toxicity in infants with lower body weight. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A. 50,000 IU:** This dose is insufficient for prophylaxis in this age group. However, it is used as a treatment dose for infants *under* 6 months of age in specific clinical scenarios (e.g., severe acute malnutrition). * **C. 1.5 Lakh IU:** This is not a standard dose used in the national schedule. * **D. 2 Lakh IU:** This is the standard dose for children aged **12–59 months**. Giving this high a dose to an infant under 12 months increases the risk of acute toxicity (bulging fontanelle, vomiting). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Total Doses:** A child receives a total of **9 doses** from 9 months to 5 years of age. * **Total Amount:** The cumulative dose over 5 years is **17 Lakh IU** (1 Lakh + 8 doses of 2 Lakh). * **Interval:** The minimum interval between two doses must be **6 months**. * **Target Group:** The program primarily targets children aged 6 months to 5 years. * **Clinical Sign:** The earliest clinical sign of Vitamin A deficiency is **Conjunctival Xerosis**, while the earliest symptom is **Night Blindness (Nyctalopia)**.

Q: What is the recommended dietary allowance of calcium for pregnant females?

1000 mg. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **1000 mg/day**. This value is based on the **ICMR-NIN (2020) guidelines**, which are the current gold standard for NEET-PG. **1. Why 1000 mg is correct:** During pregnancy, there is a significant transfer of calcium to the fetus (approximately 30g), primarily during the third trimester for skeletal mineralization. According to the **ICMR-NIN 2020 RDA**, the calcium requirement for a pregnant woman is **1000 mg/day**. Notably, this is the **same** as the requirement for a non-pregnant, non-lactating adult woman. The body compensates for the increased fetal demand by increasing intestinal calcium absorption efficiency, rather than requiring a massive increase in dietary intake. **2. Why other options are incorrect:** * **1200 mg:** This was the RDA in the older **ICMR 2010** guidelines. Many older textbooks still carry this value, but for current exams, the 2020 update (1000 mg) is preferred. * **1300 mg:** This is the RDA recommended by some international bodies (like the IOM) specifically for **pregnant adolescents** (14–18 years) to support both fetal growth and the mother’s own continuing bone maturation. * **1500 mg:** This value is not a standard RDA but is sometimes used in clinical practice for women at high risk of gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Lactation RDA:** The calcium requirement remains **1000 mg/day** (ICMR 2020). * **Post-menopausal women:** The RDA increases to **1200 mg/day** to prevent osteoporosis. * **Iron & Calcium:** Never advise taking Iron and Calcium tablets together; calcium inhibits the absorption of non-heme iron. * **WHO Recommendation:** In areas with low dietary calcium intake, WHO suggests 1.5g–2.0g daily to reduce the risk of **pre-eclampsia**.

Q: Which of the following are milk-borne diseases?

All of the above. **Explanation:** Milk is an excellent culture medium for various microorganisms due to its high nutrient content and neutral pH. Milk-borne diseases are categorized based on the source of infection: those transmitted from the animal (e.g., Bovine TB, Brucellosis) and those transmitted via human handling or environmental contamination. **Why "All of the above" is correct:** Milk can act as a vehicle for a wide range of bacterial pathogens if it is not pasteurized or handled hygienically: * **Salmonellosis (A):** Non-typhoidal *Salmonella* species can contaminate milk through fecal matter from the cow or contaminated water used in dairies. * **E. coli infection (B):** *Escherichia coli* (including the dangerous O157:H7 strain) is a common contaminant from bovine feces during the milking process. * **Streptococcal infection (C):** *Streptococcus pyogenes* can enter milk from an infected udder (mastitis) or from the respiratory tract of human handlers (causing outbreaks of septic sore throat or scarlet fever). **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Pasteurization:** The standard method to make milk safe. It kills all pathogenic bacteria, including the heat-resistant *Coxiella burnetii* (Q fever), but does **not** kill bacterial spores or thermoduric bacteria. * **Phosphatase Test:** This is the gold standard biochemical test to check the efficiency of pasteurization. If the enzyme phosphatase is destroyed, pasteurization is considered successful. * **Methylene Blue Reduction Test:** Used to assess the **bacteriological quality** (cleanliness) of raw milk. A rapid decolorization indicates a high bacterial load. * **Other Milk-borne diseases to remember:** Brucellosis (undulant fever), Bovine Tuberculosis, Q fever, and Listeriosis.

Question 1

All of the following are true about folic acid except?

Accepted Answer

Fortification of wheat products with folic acid is done in India and USA.

Answer

It is present in green leafy vegetables.

Answer

It is proven to decrease the occurrence of neural tube defects when taken before conception.

Answer

The methyl-folate trap is caused by a defect in methionine synthase.

Question 2

What is the extra energy needed per day during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

350 Kcal

Answer

150 Kcal

Answer

200 Kcal

Answer

300 Kcal

Question 3

What is the best indicator of protein quality?

Accepted Answer

Net protein utilization

Answer

Digestibility coefficient

Answer

Biological value

Answer

Amino acid score

Question 4

The top line of the 'Road to Health' card typically represents which percentile for child growth?

Accepted Answer

50th percentile

Answer

3rd percentile

Answer

80th percentile

Answer

97th percentile

Question 5

Under the National Programme for Prevention of Nutritional Blindness, what is the mega dose of vitamin A given to a child in the age group of 6-11 months?

Accepted Answer

1 Lakh IU

Answer

50,000 IU

Answer

1.5 Lakh IU

Answer

2 Lakh IU

Question 6

What is the recommended Vitamin A supplementation for a 10-month-old child diagnosed with xerophthalmia?

Accepted Answer

Three doses of 1 lakh units

Answer

One dose of 1 lakh units

Answer

Two doses of 1 lakh units

Answer

Two doses of 2 lakh units

Question 7

A 40-year-old man notes a family history of colon carcinoma. He asks his physician how best to reduce his risk of developing this type of cancer. Which of the following dietary practices should he be advised to follow each day?

Accepted Answer

Eat more vegetables

Answer

Consume more beef

Answer

Drink a glass of red wine

Answer

Have a bowl of ice cream

Question 8

What is the recommended dietary allowance of calcium for pregnant females?

Accepted Answer

1000 mg

Answer

1200 mg

Answer

1500 mg

Answer

1300 mg

Question 9

Which of the following are milk-borne diseases?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Salmonellosis

Answer

E. coli infection

Answer

Streptococcal infection

Question 10

What is the most sensitive and specific test for sanguinane?

Accepted Answer

Nucleic acid

Answer

Fe Cl3

Answer

NO

Answer

HCI

Nutrition and Health — MCQs

Nutrition and Health — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?