A nurse is discussing nutrition with a patient who expresses concern about not always consuming vitamins in amounts consistent with the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). What will the nurse tell this patient?
A) The RDA is only an estimate of the amount of vitamins required and does not represent a scientific number.
B) The RDA is the amount of vitamin needed by 50% of the population regardless of age or gender.
C) The RDA represents the highest amount that can be consumed safely, so amounts less than this can be sufficient.
D) The RDA represents an average, so low intake one day can be compensated for by increased amounts on another day.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The recommended dietary allowance is the average daily dietary intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy individuals. Because it represents an average, a low amount one day can be compensated for by an increased amount on another day. The RDA values are determined through extensive experimental data and are not estimates. The estimated average requirement (EAR) is the level that meets the nutritional requirements of 50% of healthy individuals. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the highest average daily intake that can be consumed without risk of adverse effects.

A Nurse Is Discussing Nutrition with a Patient Who Expresses