201Question
A 58-year-old postmenopausal client has a high estimated 10-year fracture risk and asks what to change in her diet. Which recommendation should the nurse give?
- Take a daily high-dose preformed vitamin A supplement because it strengthens bone and lowers fracture risk
- Limit milk and yogurt, because dietary calcium raises fracture risk by weakening bone over time
- Aim for roughly 1,200 mg of total calcium each day, mostly from foods, plus an adequate vitamin D intake
- Wait until bone pain begins before changing anything, because earlier changes will not alter the risk
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. Aim for roughly 1,200 mg of total calcium each day, mostly from foods, plus an adequate vitamin D intake
Topic: calcium and vitamin D for fracture risk
Women older than 50 need about 1,200 mg of calcium daily, preferably from food, together with enough vitamin D for calcium absorption and bone mineralization. Excess preformed vitamin A is linked with lower bone density and more fractures.
Why the others are wrong
- A – High intakes of preformed vitamin A are associated with bone loss and fractures, so it is not a bone-protecting supplement.
- B – Calcium from dairy supports bone; avoiding it removes a main source of the mineral.
- D – Osteoporosis causes no symptoms until bone breaks, so prevention must begin before pain appears.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
202Question
A preterm infant born at 28 weeks is now 4 weeks old and is receiving unfortified expressed breast milk. Laboratory results show a low serum phosphorus and a high alkaline phosphatase. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
- Change to a term infant formula diluted to half strength to lower the mineral load while the bones catch up on their own
- Add human milk fortifier, or use a preterm formula, to supply more calcium and phosphorus
- Withhold all enteral feeds and rely on dextrose-only intravenous fluids long term
- Start high-dose vitamin A therapy to stimulate bone mineralization directly
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. Add human milk fortifier, or use a preterm formula, to supply more calcium and phosphorus
Topic: bone disease of prematurity
Most calcium and phosphorus is transferred to the fetus in the third trimester, so a very preterm infant has low bone stores and high needs. Unfortified milk cannot meet them, and the low phosphorus with a high alkaline phosphatase points to metabolic bone disease of prematurity. Fortifying human milk or using preterm formula supplies the missing minerals.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Diluting formula reduces calcium, phosphorus and calories when the infant needs more of each.
- C – Prolonged withholding of enteral feeds harms the gut and does not provide the minerals the bone needs.
- D – Vitamin A does not replace the deficient calcium and phosphorus and high doses are toxic.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
203Question
An 80-year-old client has noticed a weaker grip and thinner arms over the past year. The client says, “I eat less now, so I plan to cut back on eggs, fish and beans.” Which response by the nurse is best?
- “Lower protein is fine, since muscle loss with age cannot be affected by diet.”
- “Cutting back on protein will protect your kidneys, so it is a good plan for you.”
- “Stick to fruit and vegetables, because the body no longer needs protein at your age.”
- “Your calorie needs have dropped, but your protein needs have not, so include protein at every meal and stay active.”
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: D. “Your calorie needs have dropped, but your protein needs have not, so include protein at every meal and stay active.”
Topic: muscle mass and protein in older adults
Age-related loss of muscle mass is common. Total energy needs fall with age, but protein needs stay the same or rise, so older adults should keep protein-rich foods across the day and pair them with resistance and weight-bearing activity.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Diet and activity both influence muscle mass, so the loss is not fixed.
- B – Kidney protection is not a reason to cut protein in an older adult without kidney disease.
- C – Older adults still need protein to maintain and repair muscle.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
204Question
An 84-year-old resident of a long-term care facility drinks little unless prompted and says, “I am never thirsty.” The nurse finds dry mucous membranes and skin that tents slowly. Which intervention is best to prevent further dehydration?
- Offer fluids on a regular schedule and with each activity instead of waiting for the resident to ask
- Restrict all fluids after midday to prevent nighttime trips to the bathroom and falls
- Provide large volumes of fluid at mealtimes only so the resident does not need to drink between meals
- Rely on the resident's sense of thirst to signal when more fluid is needed during the day
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A. Offer fluids on a regular schedule and with each activity instead of waiting for the resident to ask
Topic: dehydration in older adults
The thirst sensation fades with age, and total body water is lower, so older adults become dehydrated quickly and may not feel it. Offering small amounts of fluid at set times keeps intake steady. Dehydration also affects digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Why the others are wrong
- B – Restricting fluids makes dehydration worse and raises the risk of confusion and urinary infection.
- C – Large volumes at meals can cause early fullness and reduce food intake without supplying fluid steadily.
- D – The sense of thirst is blunted with age, which is why this resident is already dehydrated.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
205Question
A client who is 7 weeks pregnant eats few leafy greens, legumes or fortified grain products. Which nutrient should the nurse emphasize to lower the risk for a neural tube defect in the fetus?
- Vitamin K
- Folic acid
- Vitamin C from citrus fruit
- Sodium
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. Folic acid
Topic: folate in early pregnancy
Folate, taken as folic acid in supplements and fortified foods, helps the neural tube close in the first weeks after conception. Leafy greens, legumes and fortified grains supply it, and a daily supplement is advised for those who can become pregnant.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Vitamin K supports clotting factors and is not linked to neural tube closure.
- C – Vitamin C supports collagen formation and iron absorption but does not prevent neural tube defects.
- D – Sodium regulates fluid balance; extra sodium does not protect the developing nervous system.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
206Question
A nurse is teaching a breastfeeding client about healthy eating. Which statement by the client shows a need for further teaching?
- “I will choose low-mercury fish such as salmon a couple of times a week.”
- “I will keep a water bottle nearby and drink whenever I feel thirsty.”
- “I will avoid all seafood because its toxins pass straight into my milk.”
- “I will eat somewhat more food each day than I did before I was pregnant.”
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. “I will avoid all seafood because its toxins pass straight into my milk.”
Topic: maternal diet during lactation
Breastfeeding clients are encouraged to eat low-mercury fish, which supplies protein and omega-3 fatty acids; only high-mercury species should be avoided. Statements about added calories and drinking to thirst are appropriate.
Why the others are wrong
- A – This is correct: low-mercury fish is safe and beneficial while breastfeeding.
- B – This is correct: drinking to thirst keeps the client adequately hydrated.
- D – This is correct: lactation raises energy needs by a few hundred calories daily.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
207Question
A school nurse is counseling a group of 16-year-olds about habits that protect lung health and lower the risk for chronic disease in adulthood. Which habit should the nurse emphasize as most protective?
- Using flavored nicotine vapes in place of cigarettes, because vapor is harmless to the lungs
- Taking a daily multivitamin while skipping meals so that body weight stays low
- Exercising only before sports tryouts and otherwise resting to conserve energy
- Staying free of tobacco and vape products, being active most days and eating produce daily
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: D. Staying free of tobacco and vape products, being active most days and eating produce daily
Topic: adolescent lifestyle and lung health
Habits formed in adolescence tend to continue. Avoiding tobacco and nicotine vapor, regular aerobic activity and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables all protect the lungs and lower later risk of chronic disease. Vapor is not harmless.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Nicotine vapor irritates and injures airways and keeps nicotine dependence going.
- B – Supplements do not replace meals and skipping meals leaves the body short of nutrients.
- C – Sporadic exercise does not give lasting cardiopulmonary benefit.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
208Question
A nurse is planning diet education for a 45-year-old client with prediabetes. The client says that as a teenager his family cooked fresh meals at home and he played sports every day, but now he relies on takeout. How should the nurse use this information?
- Build on his earlier knowledge of home cooking and an active routine, and help him adapt those habits to his current schedule
- Set it aside, since habits from decades ago have no bearing on the teaching he needs now
- Tell him that his lapse shows he is unlikely to follow a new plan, so only a written handout is needed
- Refer him to the dietitian without any discussion, because the history is outside the nurse's role
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A. Build on his earlier knowledge of home cooking and an active routine, and help him adapt those habits to his current schedule
Topic: using client history in dietary teaching
A client's earlier healthy habits are a strength. Linking new teaching to skills he already has, such as cooking and regular exercise, builds confidence and makes the plan realistic. Teaching should be individualized to the client's history and present circumstances.
Why the others are wrong
- B – Earlier habits show skills the client already has and are useful in planning.
- C – Predicting failure is judgmental and weakens the therapeutic relationship.
- D – The nurse is responsible for assessing history and teaching; a referral may be added but does not replace it.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
209Question
A nurse is completing health screenings at a worksite clinic. Which client is at greatest risk for developing chronic lung disease?
- A 52-year-old accountant who has never smoked, walks 30 minutes daily and works in a clean office with regular health checks
- A 30-year-old teacher who eats fast food on Fridays and has no other exposures
- A 41-year-old construction worker with a 15 pack-year smoking history who cuts concrete without a respirator
- A 36-year-old nurse who drinks alcohol on weekends and exercises at a gym
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. A 41-year-old construction worker with a 15 pack-year smoking history who cuts concrete without a respirator
Topic: risk factors for chronic lung disease
Tobacco smoke is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and repeated inhalation of mineral dust adds to the damage. Together they produce the highest risk. Diet quality and sedentary habits contribute less.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Never smoking and regular walking lower lung disease risk.
- B – An occasional fast-food meal is a weak risk factor compared with inhaled irritants.
- D – Weekend alcohol use and gym exercise do not directly damage the lungs.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
210Question
A 42-year-old who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day reports a morning cough and mild breathlessness on stairs. Spirometry is currently normal. Which recommendation will most effectively lower the risk of chronic lung disease?
- Switch to light cigarettes and cut back to half a pack a day to keep the morning cough under control
- Stop using tobacco completely, with counseling and cessation medication support
- Add a daily protein supplement to rebuild lung tissue lost to smoking
- Wear a dust mask when smoking indoors to filter the smoke
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. Stop using tobacco completely, with counseling and cessation medication support
Topic: tobacco cessation to protect the lungs
Quitting tobacco is the single most effective way to slow lung function decline and prevent chronic obstructive disease. Counseling combined with cessation medication improves success. Reducing the number of cigarettes or changing the type lowers exposure only partly.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Light cigarettes are not safer, and half a pack still exposes the lungs to harmful smoke.
- C – Nutrition supports health but does not repair damage while smoking continues.
- D – A dust mask does not filter tobacco smoke effectively.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
211Question
A 5-month-old infant with failure to thrive has had several lower respiratory infections. The parent asks whether feeding could be involved. Which explanation by the nurse is most accurate?
- Undernutrition can limit lung growth and weaken defenses against respiratory infection
- The lungs are fully mature at birth, so infant feeding has no effect on respiratory health
- Extra feedings of plain water would strengthen the lung tissue more than milk or formula
- Repeated infections come only from weight loss itself, not from what the infant takes in
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A. Undernutrition can limit lung growth and weaken defenses against respiratory infection
Topic: infant nutrition and lung development
The lungs continue to grow and develop through infancy and early childhood. Inadequate intake of energy, protein and micronutrients impairs lung growth and immune function, so undernourished infants have more frequent and more severe respiratory infections.
Why the others are wrong
- B – Alveoli continue to form after birth, so feeding still influences lung development.
- C – Plain water supplies no energy or protein and can cause water intoxication in young infants.
- D – Weight loss is the result of inadequate intake, which is the cause, not a separate factor.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
212Question
A client at 14 weeks of gestation tells the nurse that she eats one small meal a day because she cannot afford groceries. She asks how this might affect her baby. Which response is most accurate?
- “The baby always takes what it needs from your body first, so only your own health is at risk in the long run.”
- “Harm to the baby happens only if you lose more than 20 pounds.”
- “Poor nutrition can raise the risk of low birth weight and later problems with learning and behavior.”
- “The baby will catch up after birth, so there are no lasting effects.”
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. “Poor nutrition can raise the risk of low birth weight and later problems with learning and behavior.”
Topic: maternal undernutrition and fetal outcomes
Maternal undernutrition limits the supply of energy and nutrients to the fetus. It is associated with low birth weight, preterm birth and later neurodevelopmental problems. The nurse should also connect the client with food assistance and prenatal care.
Why the others are wrong
- A – The fetus cannot fully compensate; deficits in supply affect fetal growth.
- B – There is no weight-loss threshold below which harm cannot happen.
- D – Some effects of prenatal undernutrition persist after birth.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
213Question
A client at 20 weeks of gestation plans to start a high-dose retinol (preformed vitamin A) supplement so her baby's lungs will develop well. Which response by the nurse is best?
- “Get vitamin A mostly from foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots and dairy, because high-dose retinol can cause birth defects.”
- “That is a good plan, because larger doses give the fetus more protection.”
- “Vitamin A is not needed in pregnancy, so you can leave it out of your diet entirely.”
- “Take the supplement only in the last month, when it is safe at any dose.”
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A. “Get vitamin A mostly from foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots and dairy, because high-dose retinol can cause birth defects.”
Topic: vitamin A safety in pregnancy
Vitamin A is needed for fetal organ development, including the lungs, but large doses of preformed vitamin A (retinol) are teratogenic. Food sources, including carotenoids in orange vegetables, are safe and sufficient, and any supplement should stay within the prenatal dose.
Why the others are wrong
- B – High doses of retinol increase the risk of birth defects.
- C – Vitamin A is required for fetal development, so it should not be left out.
- D – No dose is automatically safe, and late timing does not remove the toxicity risk.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
214Question
The provider orders 120 kcal/kg/day for a preterm infant who weighs 1.5 kg. Fortified breast milk provides 24 kcal per ounce. How many ounces should the infant receive in 24 hours?
- 3.8 oz
- 7.5 oz
- 9.0 oz
- 15.0 oz
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. 7.5 oz
Topic: calorie calculation for a preterm infant
120 kcal/kg/day x 1.5 kg = 180 kcal per day. 180 kcal divided by 24 kcal per ounce = 7.5 ounces in 24 hours.
Why the others are wrong
- A – This is half the correct volume and results from dividing the daily calories by 48.
- C – This uses 20 kcal per ounce instead of the 24 kcal per ounce provided.
- D – This doubles the correct volume and would overfeed the infant.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
215Question
A client who has been receiving only low-calorie clear liquids for several days after surgery is losing muscle. Which explanation best accounts for the muscle loss?
- The clear liquids supply excess protein that the muscles cannot use
- Muscle tissue is replaced by stored water when carbohydrate is scarce
- The body burns vitamins first for energy and muscle second
- When carbohydrate and fat supply cannot meet energy needs, the body breaks down protein, including muscle, for fuel
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: D. When carbohydrate and fat supply cannot meet energy needs, the body breaks down protein, including muscle, for fuel
Topic: carbohydrate as energy source and protein sparing
Carbohydrate is the body's preferred energy source. If intake of carbohydrate and fat is too low, the body converts protein from muscle to glucose and burns it for energy, so protein is not available for healing and maintenance.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Clear liquids contain very little protein.
- B – Water storage does not replace muscle and is not an energy mechanism.
- C – Vitamins act as cofactors and are not burned for energy.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
216Question
A 6-year-old with stage 4 chronic kidney disease has a poor appetite, and the growth chart shows weight and height crossing downward. Which intervention is most appropriate?
- Restrict calories to lessen the workload on the kidneys and protect the remaining kidney function for as long as possible
- Offer energy-dense foods and supplements, and discuss tube feeding with the team if intake stays low
- Wait to see whether the appetite returns on its own before any change
- Limit meals to one large serving a day so waste products build up more slowly
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. Offer energy-dense foods and supplements, and discuss tube feeding with the team if intake stays low
Topic: growth failure in pediatric kidney disease
Inadequate energy intake is a leading cause of poor growth in children with chronic kidney disease. Management aims to raise calories with energy-dense foods and supplements, with enteral tube feeding considered when oral intake cannot meet needs, under the guidance of a renal dietitian.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Restricting calories would worsen the growth failure; the energy need rises with CKD.
- C – Waiting delays treatment while growth potential is lost.
- D – One large meal a day does not meet a child's energy needs and does not slow waste build-up.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
217Question
A nurse teaches a 15-year-old with stage 3 chronic kidney disease how to slow progression of the disease. Which statement by the adolescent shows correct understanding?
- “I can take ibuprofen for menstrual cramps whenever I need it, because it is sold without a prescription.”
- “I will check with my provider or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter pain reliever.”
- “I will drink extra water all day to flush my kidneys, even when I am swelling.”
- “I will start a protein powder every day to build muscle.”
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. “I will check with my provider or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter pain reliever.”
Topic: protecting kidneys in adolescents with CKD
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce renal blood flow and can worsen kidney function, so they are avoided unless the provider approves. Checking before using any over-the-counter product protects the kidneys. Fluids and protein are individualized to the stage and labs.
Why the others are wrong
- A – NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can damage already weakened kidneys.
- C – Extra fluids in someone who is swelling can lead to fluid overload.
- D – Protein supplements are not appropriate without the renal dietitian's direction and can strain the kidneys.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
218Question
A client with stage 3 chronic kidney disease who is 8 weeks pregnant asks about risks to the pregnancy. Which information should the nurse include?
- A higher chance of delivering after 42 weeks of gestation
- A greater risk of neural tube defects caused by kidney disease
- A higher chance of preeclampsia and preterm birth
- A tendency toward an unusually large baby and a multiple pregnancy
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. A higher chance of preeclampsia and preterm birth
Topic: pregnancy risks with chronic kidney disease
Pregnancy with reduced kidney function raises the risk of hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, growth restriction and faster decline in renal function. Close monitoring by a high-risk team is required.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Kidney disease makes early delivery more likely, not late delivery.
- B – Neural tube defects relate to folate status, not kidney disease.
- D – Large babies are linked to diabetes, and kidney disease does not cause multiple pregnancy.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
219Question
A client with stage 3 chronic kidney disease who is at 28 weeks of gestation reports a new headache. Her blood pressure is 150/98 mm Hg, compared with 118/72 mm Hg at her last visit, and urine protein has increased to 3+. Which action should the nurse take first?
- Reassure her that blood pressure normally rises at this stage of pregnancy and recheck it at the next routine visit
- Advise rest and fluids and recheck her blood pressure at next week's appointment
- Notify the provider promptly of the findings that suggest superimposed preeclampsia
- Tell her to double the dose of her diuretic and report back tomorrow
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. Notify the provider promptly of the findings that suggest superimposed preeclampsia
Topic: superimposed preeclampsia with CKD
A sharp rise in blood pressure with increased proteinuria and headache in a client with chronic kidney disease suggests superimposed preeclampsia, which can progress to eclampsia and placental abruption. It needs prompt provider evaluation.
Why the others are wrong
- A – A rise this large with headache and proteinuria is not a normal finding.
- B – Waiting a week could allow progression to seizures or abruption.
- D – Changing medication without an order is unsafe and does not address the cause.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
220Question
A nurse reviews first-trimester laboratory and assessment findings for a client with no known kidney disease. Which finding requires follow-up?
- Serum creatinine of 1.2 mg/dL
- Trace glucose in a urine dipstick
- Increased urinary frequency
- Mild swelling of both ankles noted late in the day
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A. Serum creatinine of 1.2 mg/dL
Topic: renal changes of pregnancy
Early in pregnancy the glomerular filtration rate rises by roughly half, so serum creatinine typically falls to about 0.4 to 0.8 mg/dL. A value of 1.2 mg/dL would be normal outside pregnancy but suggests reduced kidney function here. Mild glycosuria, frequency and slight dependent swelling are expected.
Why the others are wrong
- B – A trace of glucose can be normal because filtered glucose can exceed tubular reabsorption.
- C – Frequency is common because of higher filtration and the growing uterus.
- D – Mild swelling of the feet in the evening is common and benign without other signs.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
221Question
A nurse is teaching a client who is 9 weeks pregnant about nutrition. Which statement by the client shows understanding?
- “I will wait to start a prenatal vitamin until the first trimester is over.”
- “I will limit myself to about one 12-ounce cup of coffee a day.”
- “I should eat twice as many calories now that I am pregnant.”
- “I will cut back on fluids so I do not get swollen.”
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. “I will limit myself to about one 12-ounce cup of coffee a day.”
Topic: caffeine and nutrition in pregnancy
Caffeine intake in pregnancy should be kept under about 200 mg a day, roughly one 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee. Prenatal vitamins should begin before or at the start of pregnancy, calorie needs rise modestly only later, and fluids should be adequate.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Folic acid in the prenatal vitamin is most important in the first weeks.
- C – Energy needs rise by a few hundred calories later in pregnancy, not double.
- D – Adequate fluids are needed for the increased blood volume; swelling is not prevented by restricting them.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
222Question
The parent of a 9-year-old with stage 3 chronic kidney disease says, “I am cutting out all meat, eggs and dairy to protect his kidneys.” Which response by the nurse is best?
- “That is a good plan, because kidney protection comes before growth.”
- “Protein should be doubled so he can catch up on growth.”
- “Strict protein restriction can slow his growth, so his protein should meet age-based needs as guided by the renal dietitian.”
- “Protein has no effect on growth, so only his potassium needs attention.”
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. “Strict protein restriction can slow his growth, so his protein should meet age-based needs as guided by the renal dietitian.”
Topic: protein in pediatric CKD
In children with chronic kidney disease, protein is needed for growth and tissue repair, and restricting it below recommended intakes for age impairs growth. Protein is set with the renal dietitian, while sodium, potassium and phosphorus are adjusted by laboratory results.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Cutting protein harms growth and is not recommended in children with CKD.
- B – Protein beyond the recommended intake can increase waste products without extra benefit.
- D – Protein is a main driver of growth, and potassium limits depend on laboratory results.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
223Question
A 15-year-old vegetarian with heavy menstrual periods has mild iron deficiency anemia. Which meal plan teaching will best improve iron absorption?
- “Have your bean and spinach lunch with a tall glass of cold milk to round out the meal.”
- “Eat the bean and spinach lunch together with orange slices or strawberries.”
- “Drink tea with the meal for extra antioxidants.”
- “Take your iron tablet together with an antacid to prevent stomach upset.”
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. “Eat the bean and spinach lunch together with orange slices or strawberries.”
Topic: improving nonheme iron absorption
Plant (nonheme) iron is absorbed better when eaten with vitamin C. Calcium, tannins in tea and antacids reduce absorption. Adolescent females need more iron than males because of menstrual losses.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Calcium in milk competes with iron absorption at the same meal.
- C – Tannins in tea bind iron and reduce how much is absorbed.
- D – Antacids lower stomach acidity and decrease iron absorption.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
224Question
A client with frequent bloating and irregular bowel habits eats mostly fried takeout, pastries and processed meats and asks what to change to support a healthy gut. Which suggestion is most appropriate?
- Replace fried and highly processed items with vegetables, legumes, fruit and nuts
- Remove every kind of fat from the diet, including olive oil and nuts
- Switch to a liquid-only diet for several months to rest the bowel
- Add extra salt to meals to improve digestion and encourage the helpful gut bacteria to grow
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A. Replace fried and highly processed items with vegetables, legumes, fruit and nuts
Topic: diet and gut microbiome
Diets high in saturated fat, fried foods and processed items are linked to an unfavorable mix of gut bacteria, while plant-rich diets feed beneficial bacteria. Replacing processed foods with whole plant foods supports a healthy gut. Unsaturated fats remain part of a balanced diet.
Why the others are wrong
- B – Healthy unsaturated fats are part of a balanced diet; removing all fat is not needed.
- C – A prolonged liquid-only diet lacks fiber and is nutritionally inadequate.
- D – Added salt does not improve digestion and raises blood pressure risk.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
225Question
A client will take a 10-day course of oral amoxicillin and asks how to protect the digestive tract during treatment. Which suggestion is best?
- Stop the antibiotic as soon as loose stools begin, to protect the gut bacteria and avoid worse effects
- Avoid every fermented food until a month after the course has ended
- Skip high-fiber foods so that the antibiotic is absorbed more completely
- Eat plain yogurt or kefir with live cultures daily, and report severe watery diarrhea
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: D. Eat plain yogurt or kefir with live cultures daily, and report severe watery diarrhea
Topic: protecting the gut during antibiotic therapy
Antibiotics reduce the normal gut bacteria, which can lead to loose stools. Fermented dairy foods that contain live cultures can help support the microbiome, and the full course must still be finished. Severe or persistent watery diarrhea should be reported because it can signal Clostridioides difficile infection.
Why the others are wrong
- A – Stopping early without the prescriber risks treatment failure and resistance.
- B – Fermented foods with live cultures are helpful, not harmful, during antibiotic therapy.
- C – Fiber does not block absorption of most oral antibiotics and supports a healthy bowel.
Written for the Medical Exam YouTube channel and answered blind by a second AI model before publication.
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