ACBN Nutritionist MCQ 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which fatty acid is classified as an omega-3 and is primarily found in fatty fish?
- Linoleic acid
- Alpha-linolenic acid
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (Correct answer)
- Arachidonic acid
Correct answer: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid found predominantly in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel.
Question 2: A client presents with night blindness and dry, scaly skin. Which vitamin deficiency is most likely?
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin A (Correct answer)
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
Correct answer: Vitamin A
Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness (nyctalopia) and skin changes such as xerosis and follicular hyperkeratosis.
Question 3: What is the primary role of chromium in human nutrition?
- Bone mineralization
- Oxygen transport in red blood cells
- Enhancing insulin signaling (Correct answer)
- Thyroid hormone synthesis
Correct answer: Enhancing insulin signaling
Chromium potentiates insulin action, improving glucose uptake by cells and carbohydrate metabolism.
Question 4: Which dietary pattern is associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease according to large epidemiological studies?
- High-protein carnivore diet
- Mediterranean diet (Correct answer)
- Low-fat American Heart Association diet
- Ketogenic diet
Correct answer: Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, fish, legumes, and vegetables, is consistently linked to reduced cardiovascular disease risk.
Question 5: A food label lists 'partially hydrogenated soybean oil.' What does this indicate?
- The oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids
- The product contains trans fatty acids (Correct answer)
- The oil has been cold-pressed
- The product is free of saturated fat
Correct answer: The product contains trans fatty acids
Partial hydrogenation creates trans fatty acids, which raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.
Question 6: Which enzyme is responsible for breaking down lactose in the small intestine?
- Sucrase
- Maltase
- Lactase (Correct answer)
- Amylase
Correct answer: Lactase
Lactase (lactase-phlorizin hydrolase) cleaves lactose into glucose and galactose for absorption.
Question 7: What is the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) designed to meet?
- The nutrient needs of nearly all individuals in a group
- The average daily nutrient intake sufficient for 50% of healthy individuals (Correct answer)
- The tolerable upper intake level for a nutrient
- The adequate intake when no RDA has been set
Correct answer: The average daily nutrient intake sufficient for 50% of healthy individuals
The EAR is the daily intake estimated to meet the requirements of 50% of healthy individuals in a particular life stage and sex group.
Which fatty acid is classified as an omega-3 and is primarily found in fatty fish?