Q40.Which vitamin deficiency commonly causes megaloblastic anaemia and may produce nerve damage?
(a) Vitamin D
(b) Vitamin B12
(c) Vitamin C
(d) Vitamin K
Answer: (b) Vitamin B12
Explanation: Vitamin B12 is necessary for DNA synthesis and normal nervous-system function. Deficiency produces large abnormal red-cell precursors and can cause numbness or difficulty walking, even in some patients without severe anaemia. Characteristic clinical signs help distinguish overlapping deficiencies and guide further evaluation.
Q39.Deficiency of which vitamin can cause megaloblastic anaemia without the typical B12-related neuropathy?
(a) Folate
(b) Vitamin K
(c) Vitamin E
(d) Vitamin A
Answer: (a) Folate
Explanation: Folate, or vitamin B9, supports DNA synthesis and red-blood-cell production. Deficiency commonly causes megaloblastic anaemia. Adequate folate before and during early pregnancy also helps prevent neural tube defects. Prevention often combines dietary diversity with targeted public-health nutrition measures.
Q38.Which vitamin is essential for synthesis of several blood-clotting factors?
(a) Vitamin C
(b) Vitamin B1
(c) Vitamin A
(d) Vitamin K
Answer: (d) Vitamin K
Explanation: Vitamin K is required for activation of clotting factors II, VII, IX and X, among others. Deficiency may increase bleeding risk. Newborns routinely receive vitamin K prophylaxis in many health systems. The surrounding dietary pattern and nutrient absorption can also influence deficiency risk.
Q37.Xerophthalmia is classically caused by deficiency of what?
(a) Vitamin B1
(b) Calcium
(c) Vitamin A
(d) Iron
Answer: (c) Vitamin A
Explanation: Vitamin A deficiency can dry the conjunctiva and cornea and impair night vision. Severe xerophthalmia may cause corneal injury and preventable blindness, especially among nutritionally vulnerable children. Characteristic clinical signs help distinguish overlapping deficiencies and guide further evaluation.
Q36.Which childhood bone disorder is classically related to lack of vitamin D?
(a) Pellagra
(b) Rickets
(c) Scurvy
(d) Beriberi
Answer: (b) Rickets
Explanation: Vitamin D deficiency impairs calcium and phosphate absorption, leading to poor mineralisation of growing bones. Rickets may produce bowed legs, widened wrists and delayed growth in children. Prevention often combines dietary diversity with targeted public-health nutrition measures.
Q35.Softening of bones due to defective mineralisation in adults is called what?
(a) Osteomalacia
(b) Leukaemia
(c) Silicosis
(d) Gout
Answer: (a) Osteomalacia
Explanation: Osteomalacia involves inadequate mineralisation of adult bone, often associated with vitamin D deficiency. It can cause bone pain, muscle weakness and fractures. Rickets refers to defective mineralisation in growing children. The surrounding dietary pattern and nutrient absorption can also influence deficiency risk.
Q34.Which mineral is directly essential for normal bone mineralisation and muscle contraction?
(a) Chromium only
(b) Fluoride only
(c) Iodine
(d) Calcium
Answer: (d) Calcium
Explanation: Calcium contributes to bone and tooth structure, muscle contraction, nerve signalling and blood clotting. Vitamin D supports its absorption; disturbances in calcium balance can produce neuromuscular symptoms. Characteristic clinical signs help distinguish overlapping deficiencies and guide further evaluation.
Q33.Which common household measure helps prevent iodine-deficiency disorders?
(a) Drink excess sweetened beverages
(b) Avoid all vegetables
(c) Use adequately iodised salt
(d) Eat only polished rice
Answer: (c) Use adequately iodised salt
Explanation: Iodised salt is a population-level strategy to supply iodine needed for thyroid-hormone synthesis. Adequate iodine is especially important during pregnancy and childhood for normal growth and brain development. Prevention often combines dietary diversity with targeted public-health nutrition measures.
Q32.Keshan disease is historically associated with low intake of which trace element?
(a) Sodium
(b) Selenium
(c) Chloride
(d) Fluorine
Answer: (b) Selenium
Explanation: Keshan disease is an endemic cardiomyopathy historically associated with selenium deficiency in certain regions. Other environmental and infectious factors may contribute; it is not simply caused by low selenium in every case. The surrounding dietary pattern and nutrient absorption can also influence deficiency risk.
Q31.Excess fluoride exposure over time may lead to which disorder?
(a) Skeletal fluorosis
(b) Beriberi
(c) Night blindness
(d) Scurvy
Answer: (a) Skeletal fluorosis
Explanation: Long-term excessive fluoride intake can cause dental fluorosis and, at higher cumulative exposure, skeletal fluorosis with bone and joint abnormalities. Fluoride also has protective effects against dental caries at appropriate levels. Characteristic clinical signs help distinguish overlapping deficiencies and guide further evaluation.
