Q140.The National Prophylaxis Programme launched in 1970 targeted which nutritional problem?
[SSC MTS (15 Oct 2024, Shift 3) — 2024]
(a) Blindness
(b) Hypercalcaemia
(c) Goitre
(d) Beriberi
Answer: (a) Blindness
Explanation: India introduced the National Prophylaxis Programme against Nutritional Blindness to prevent vision loss associated with vitamin A deficiency, particularly among children. Severe deficiency can cause xerophthalmia, corneal injury and preventable blindness. Prevention often combines dietary diversity with targeted public-health nutrition measures.
Q139.Pellagra is caused by deficiency of which nutrient?
[SSC MTS (9 Oct 2024, Shift 2) — 2024]
(a) Vitamin E
(b) Niacin
(c) Iodine
(d) Riboflavin
Answer: (b) Niacin
Explanation: Niacin, or vitamin B3, deficiency causes pellagra. It is traditionally associated with dermatitis, diarrhoea and dementia, called the three Ds. Niacin is obtained from foods such as legumes, meat, fish and enriched cereals. Prevention often combines dietary diversity with targeted public-health nutrition measures.
Q138.Which of the following is a mineral-deficiency disease?
[SSC MTS (7 Oct 2024, Shift 2) — 2024]
(a) Rickets
(b) Marasmus
(c) Scurvy
(d) Goitre
Answer: (d) Goitre
Explanation: Goitre can result from insufficient iodine, a dietary mineral needed for thyroid-hormone production. Rickets is classically linked to vitamin D deficiency, scurvy to vitamin C deficiency and marasmus to severe energy deficiency. The surrounding dietary pattern and nutrient absorption can also influence deficiency risk.
Q137.Deficiency of which nutrient causes beriberi?
[DSSSB Jail Warder (12 Jun 2024, Shift 1) — 2024]
(a) Vitamin K
(b) Fat
(c) Protein
(d) Vitamin B1
Answer: (d) Vitamin B1
Explanation: Beriberi results from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Dry beriberi mainly involves nerves and muscles, whereas wet beriberi involves cardiovascular problems and oedema. Diets dominated by polished rice may lack sufficient thiamine. The surrounding dietary pattern and nutrient absorption can also influence deficiency risk.
Q136.Which vitamin–disease pair is incorrectly matched?
[JKSSB Sub-Inspector (Finance), 10 Mar 2024 — 2024]
(a) Vitamin A—xerophthalmia
(b) Vitamin D—rickets
(c) Vitamin K—beriberi
(d) Vitamin C—scurvy
Answer: (c) Vitamin K—beriberi
Explanation: Beriberi is caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, not vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K is important for activation of clotting factors; its deficiency can cause bleeding. The other three pairings are correct. Characteristic clinical signs help distinguish overlapping deficiencies and guide further evaluation.
Q135.Silicosis is primarily a disease of which organ?
[MP Police Constable (4 Sep 2023, Shift 2) — 2023]
(a) Bone
(b) Nerve
(c) Lung
(d) Liver
Answer: (c) Lung
Explanation: Silicosis develops after inhaling respirable crystalline silica, which can cause inflammation and irreversible scarring in the lungs. Mining, cutting stone and sandblasting are occupational exposure settings. The disease can impair breathing even after exposure ends. Reducing prolonged exposure is a major part of respiratory disease prevention.
Q134.Thyroid : iodine :: night blindness : ?
[SSC MTS 2022 cycle (20 Jun 2023, Shift 1) — 2023]
(a) Vitamin D
(b) Vitamin B
(c) Vitamin C
(d) Vitamin A
Answer: (d) Vitamin A
Explanation: Iodine is needed for thyroid hormones, while vitamin A is needed for normal visual-pigment function. Vitamin A deficiency typically first reduces adaptation to dim light, causing night blindness and sometimes xerophthalmia. Prevention often combines dietary diversity with targeted public-health nutrition measures.
Q133.Which vitamin helps the body use calcium for bones and teeth?
[SSC MTS 2022 cycle (19 Jun 2023, Shift 1) — 2023]
(a) Vitamin A
(b) Vitamin E
(c) Vitamin C
(d) Vitamin D
Answer: (d) Vitamin D
Explanation: Vitamin D promotes intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate and enables normal bone mineralisation. Its deficiency causes rickets in children and can contribute to osteomalacia in adults. Sunlight exposure and foods are important sources. The surrounding dietary pattern and nutrient absorption can also influence deficiency risk.
Q132.Which disease is caused by severe protein deficiency in the diet?
[SSC MTS 2022 cycle (16 Jun 2023, Shift 1) — 2023]
(a) Scurvy
(b) Jaundice
(c) Rickets
(d) Kwashiorkor
Answer: (d) Kwashiorkor
Explanation: Kwashiorkor is a form of severe malnutrition marked by bilateral pitting oedema and often skin and hair changes. It is classically associated with marked dietary protein inadequacy, usually alongside wider nutritional and environmental stresses. Characteristic clinical signs help distinguish overlapping deficiencies and guide further evaluation.
Q131.Goitre is most commonly associated worldwide with deficiency of which nutrient?
[SSC MTS 2022 cycle (18 May 2023, Shift 1) — 2023]
(a) Protein
(b) Vitamin A
(c) Iodine
(d) Iron
Answer: (c) Iodine
Explanation: Iodine is necessary for thyroid-hormone synthesis. In iodine-deficient populations, the thyroid may enlarge to compensate, producing goitre. Not every goitre is caused by iodine deficiency: autoimmune disease and nodules are other causes. Prevention often combines dietary diversity with targeted public-health nutrition measures.
