Question 1

With the extensive amount of current nutritional choices, dental hygienists can effectively assist patients in evaluating the many factors involved in production, marketing, purchasing, and consumption of food. Match the nutritional factor with its most appropriate description or definition.
-Steroid hormone released in response to stress

Accepted Answer

Cortisol is a steroid hormone released in response to stress and can have an impact on nutritional choices and overall health.

Answer: A 
 Food patterns refer to an individual's consistent dietary habits and preferences.

Answer: C 
 Food fads refer to popular diets or nutritional trends that may not have proven health benefits.

Answer: D 
 Food quackery refers to false or misleading nutrition advice and products.

Answer: E 
 Detoxification refers to the process of cleansing the body of toxins, often through dietary changes or supplements.

Answer: F 
 A colonic is a procedure that involves flushing the colon with water or other liquids to remove waste.

Answer: G 
 Chelation therapy is a medical treatment that involves the use of medication to remove heavy metals from the body. It is sometimes used as an alternative therapy for certain health conditions.

Question 2

With the extensive amount of current nutritional choices, dental hygienists can effectively assist patients in evaluating the many factors involved in production, marketing, purchasing, and consumption of food. Match the nutritional factor with its most appropriate description or definition.
-Transformation of non-water-soluble toxins into water soluble compounds

Accepted Answer

Detoxification refers to the process of transforming non-water-soluble toxins into water-soluble compounds, which can then be excreted by the body.

Answer: G
 Chelation therapy is a medical treatment that involves the use of chelating agents to remove heavy metal toxins from the body.

Answer: H
 Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It can have a significant impact on appetite and metabolism, as well as other physiological processes.

Note: The other answer choices (A, B, C, and D) do not relate specifically to the transformation of non-water-soluble toxins into water-soluble compounds.

Question 3

Which of the following are reflective of food patterns? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

When individuals immigrate to a new country, problems with adjusting to new food patterns are usually economic. Foods from the country of origin, which were cheapest at "home," may be expensive or unavailable in the new location. Religious beliefs, cultural beliefs, and food patterns coincide significantly in all cultures. Dental hygienists should learn about ethnic foods for immigrants so that they can assist in suggesting alternatives or similar foods.

Question 4

Hunger typically precedes food insecurity. A Gallup poll taken in 2011 determined that 6.8 million households experienced very low food security at some point during the year.

Accepted Answer

Hunger, or an uneasy or painful sensation caused by lack of food, typically precedes food insecurity. Food insecurity refers to the lack of access to enough food to meet basic needs at some time because of insufficient funds or resources for food. Deciding which bills to pay-food or housing, heat, electricity, or water-exemplifies food insecurity. In households with very low food security, food intake is reduced and normal eating patterns are disrupted.

Question 5

While discussing benefits and drawbacks of organic foods, which selection can a dental hygienist convey correctly to a patient? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Whether organic food are more nutritious than conventional foods has been a point of contention for years. Two large systematic reviews analyzing scientific literature have found no overall difference in vitamin and mineral content between foods produced using organic versus conventional methods. Note that in regard to production procedures, food manufacturers voluntarily provide information to the USDA about substances and practices, including how nonorganic and organic foods are kept separate. The USDA is responsible for inspecting the site annually and certifying the producer. Nonorganic produce is 30% more likely to have pesticides than organic fruits and vegetables.

Question 6

With the extensive amount of current nutritional choices, dental hygienists can effectively assist patients in evaluating the many factors involved in production, marketing, purchasing, and consumption of food. Match the nutritional factor with its most appropriate description or definition.
-Promotion of nutritionally related products or services of questionable value

Accepted Answer

Food quackery refers to the promotion of nutritionally related products or services of questionable value.

Answer: A
 Food patterns refer to the overall dietary practices or repeated sequences of food consumption over time.

Answer: C
 Food fad refers to a popular trend or craze, often driven by marketing, surrounding a particular food or nutrient that may lack scientific evidence of health benefits.

Answer: E
 Detoxification refers to the process of removing toxins from the body, often through dietary changes or supplements.

Answer: F
 A colonic is a procedure that involves the irrigation of the colon with water, sometimes used as part of a detoxification process.

Answer: G
 Chelation therapy is a medical treatment that involves the administration of a chelating agent to remove heavy metals from the body.

Answer: H
 Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is involved in the body's stress response and regulation of metabolism.

Question 7

With the extensive amount of current nutritional choices, dental hygienists can effectively assist patients in evaluating the many factors involved in production, marketing, purchasing, and consumption of food. Match the nutritional factor with its most appropriate description or definition.
-Connotes inflexibility

Accepted Answer

Habit refers to the tendency to repeat certain actions or behaviors on a regular basis, often without conscious thought. This can apply to food choices and eating habits.

Answer: A 
 Food patterns refer to the habitual ways in which individuals or populations consume food, including cultural and regional influences.

Answer: C 
 Food fad refers to a temporary trend or craze related to a particular food or diet, often based on incomplete or inaccurate information.

Answer: D 
 Food quackery refers to the promotion of false or fraudulent claims about the health benefits of certain foods or supplements, often without scientific evidence to support them.

Answer: H 
 Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in times of physical or emotional stress, which can affect appetite and metabolism. It is not directly related to food production or consumption.

Answers E, F, and G are not relevant to nutritional factors involved in food consumption.

Question 8

A dental hygienist hoping to instill caution in a patient relying heavily on herbal supplements can accurately state each of the following except one. Which statement is the exception?

Accepted Answer

Surprising to many, governmental organizations do not monitor the production and marketing of herbal supplements. This lack of oversight creates numerous concerns associated with their use. Dental hygienists can help patients understand that although herbal medicine should not be regarded as quackery, it should be approached with caution. Particularly strong marketing is used by makers of herbal teas and other plant-based therapies that tout their products as the only natural method with which to prevent disease and cure numerous conditions. Patients should be aware that deaths and severe health problems have resulted from use of some herbal preparations in the United States.

Question 9

Which term is used to describe medical practices that have been thoroughly evaluated using scientific methods?

Accepted Answer

The gold standard for research studies is evidence based, a term used to describe practice that has been thoroughly evaluated using scientific methods. Evidence-based studies involve evaluation of interventions based on risks and benefits revealed during randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trials. Meta-analysis combines all relevant studies from independent sources using a statistical technique. Systematic reviews also provide reliable information and present an impartial summary. Observational studies are epidemiologic research studies with no type of intervention or experiment.

Question 10

The terms natural and organic can be used interchangeably because the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regards them as synonymous (equal) terms.

Accepted Answer

The terms natural and organic were used interchangeably in the past to describe food that was minimally processed and free of artificial additives or preservatives; however, consumers should be aware that only products with an organic label have met USDA standards. Legally, use of terms such as natural or all natural can mean anything the manufacturer wants them to mean.

Question 11

With the extensive amount of current nutritional choices, dental hygienists can effectively assist patients in evaluating the many factors involved in production, marketing, purchasing, and consumption of food. Match the nutritional factor with its most appropriate description or definition.
-Catch-all term covering beliefs about the value of nutrition

Accepted Answer

The answer of With the extensive amount of current nutritional...

Question 12

With the extensive amount of current nutritional choices, dental hygienists can effectively assist patients in evaluating the many factors involved in production, marketing, purchasing, and consumption of food. Match the nutritional factor with its most appropriate description or definition.
-Generally developed during childhood

Accepted Answer

Food patterns are the typical ways in which individuals or groups consume nutrients over time, often developed during childhood.

Answer: B
 Habits refer to the behaviors or actions that are repeated regularly and may be difficult to change, such as dietary choices.

Answer: C
 Food fads are temporary, popular trends that promote a specific type of food, nutrient, or diet.

Answer: D
 Food quackery refers to false or unsupported claims about food, such as those made by individuals who are not qualified to provide nutritional advice.

Answer: N/A
 None of the given options match the definition of detoxification, colonic, chelation therapy, or cortisol. Detoxification is a process by which the body eliminates toxins; colonic refers to a type of medical procedure that involves cleansing the colon; chelation therapy is a medical treatment used to remove heavy metals from the body; and cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps the body respond to stress.

Question 13

The use of food additives makes many foods more available by preventing spoilage. Which of the following are prudent considerations that a dental hygienist should convey to a patient who wishes to learn more about food additives? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The Delaney clause originated in the 1950s when the Delaney committee investigated food additives. This clause prohibits the use of any food additive that is carcinogenic in humans or animals. Based on the Delaney clause, additives deemed to be harmless were labeled "generally recognized as safe." Bisphenol A (BPA) is not a food additive, but is a substance that becomes a contaminant when used in food packaging. Food additives that provide enrichment and fortification are considered valid and nutritionally beneficial. Added nutrients help to ensure adequate intake of vitamins or mineral. For consumer protection, all added nutrients must be listed on product labels.

Question 14

Guidelines published in the New England Journal of Medicine to help prevent misinterpretation of scientific studies include each of the following except one. Which one is the exception?

Accepted Answer

A single study never proves a theory; it may provide conclusive information, but provoke more questions for further studies. A single study usually serves as another piece of the puzzle if it can be replicated. The remaining four selections are valuable guidelines developed and published by two physicians in the New England Journal of Medicine. Because the news media often have a poor understanding of research methods and may "jump the gun" to publish without verifying facts, these guidelines can help consumers and professionals.

Question 15

Which program is designed to help lower socioeconomic groups with all aspects of nutrition?

Accepted Answer

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, available through county extension services of land-grant universities, assists with meal planning, budgeting, cooking, and other nutrition-related problems. Integral to this program are nutrition aides-low-income homemakers trained to visit homes of low-income families to assist in providing well-balanced meals. The Nutrition Program for the Elderly, Title III, provides group and home-delivered meals for more than 3 million elderly participants. Head Start is a preschool educational program for low-income families that provides breakfast, lunch, and snacks for children as well as nutritional guidance for parents.

Question 16

Weight loss therapies that rely on juicing typically provide increased fiber, vitamins, and minerals. An added incentive is that juices contain a lower concentration of sugar than the whole fruit.

Accepted Answer

Freshly squeezed juices contain most of the vitamins, mineral, and phytonutrients found in the whole fruit; however, much of the fiber can be lost in the juicing procedure. A drawback is that fresh juice contains significant amounts of sugar that can actually lead to weight gain. Also pertinent, harmful bacteria can develop in fresh juice if it is not consumed in a short period of time.

Question 17

In addition to referring patients to ChooseMyPlate guidelines, a dental hygienist can accurately make which of the following suggestions to patients motivated to learn more about nutrition? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Baking soda should not be used when cooking vegetables, because it is a source of sodium. Consumers often equate store brands with lesser quality. Although these products are often found on the lowest shelves and are not targeted for priority marketing, they are equal in quality and taste to well-advertised brands. Other helpful hints include buying in bulk if the food will be eaten before it spoils. For the person struggling with portion control, this might not be a good strategy. Perhaps the best nutritional and financial message to convey is the value of planning meals around seasonal foods or weekly specials.

Question 18

With the extensive amount of current nutritional choices, dental hygienists can effectively assist patients in evaluating the many factors involved in production, marketing, purchasing, and consumption of food. Match the nutritional factor with its most appropriate description or definition.
-Binding and elimination of heavy metals from the body

Accepted Answer

Chelation therapy involves the use of chelating agents, such as EDTA, to bind heavy metals and remove them from the body.

Answer: E
 Detoxification refers to the elimination of toxins from the body, which can include heavy metals.

Answer: H
 Cortisol is a hormone that plays a role in regulating metabolism, immune function, and stress response. It can be influenced by dietary factors and can have an impact on overall health.

Note: None of the other options provided match the description of binding and elimination of heavy metals from the body.

Question 19

Hair analysis can indicate exposure to toxic heavy metals content because hair reflects current body status.

Accepted Answer

Although hair analysis can indicate exposure to toxic heavy metals, an important caveat for consumers is that hair grows slowly and does not reflect current body status. Although many products and procedures claim to provide current nutritional status based on hair analysis, vitamins are not present in hair except in roots below the skin. Also significant, hair mineral content can be affected by shampoos, bleach, dye, and many other factors, including environmental and geographic factors. A staggering statistic for dental hygienists to convey, Americans spend more than $10 billion annually for cures that are deemed quackery by scientists.

Question 20

Which of the following can a dental hygienist accurately convey to a patient who expresses health concerns about irradiated foods? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Irradiation, safely used in the United States for more than 50 years, can extend the period of ripeness of fruits and vegetables, prolong freshness, and prevent certain foodborne illnesses. At the low doses of radiation allowed, nutrient losses are either not measurable or not significant. Food irradiation is also called cold pasteurization.

Quiz 16: Food Factors Affecting Health