MCQ on Nutritional Deficiencies

🟢 Easy Level (1–20)

1. Deficiency of vitamin A causes:
   a) Rickets
   b) Scurvy
   c) Night blindness ✅
   d) Beriberi
   Explanation: Vitamin A is essential for vision, especially in low light.
2. Rickets is caused by deficiency of:
   a) Vitamin C
   b) Vitamin A
   c) Vitamin D ✅
   d) Iron
   Explanation: Vitamin D is required for proper bone development.
3. Scurvy is caused by lack of:
   a) Vitamin B
   b) Vitamin C ✅
   c) Iron
   d) Calcium
   Explanation: Vitamin C maintains healthy gums and connective tissue.
4. Deficiency of iodine causes:
   a) Goiter ✅
   b) Anemia
   c) Scurvy
   d) Night blindness
   Explanation: Iodine is required for thyroid hormone production.
5. Beriberi is caused by deficiency of:
   a) Vitamin A
   b) Vitamin B1 ✅
   c) Vitamin C
   d) Vitamin D
   Explanation: Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is essential for nerve function.
6. Anemia results from deficiency of:
   a) Iron ✅
   b) Calcium
   c) Protein
   d) Vitamin C
   Explanation: Iron is a key component of hemoglobin in red blood cells.
7. A deficiency of calcium leads to:
   a) Anemia
   b) Tooth decay
   c) Weak bones ✅
   d) Vision loss
   Explanation: Calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth.
8. Kwashiorkor is due to lack of:
   a) Fats
   b) Vitamins
   c) Protein ✅
   d) Carbohydrates
   Explanation: Kwashiorkor is a protein-deficiency disease in children.
9. Marasmus is caused by deficiency of:
   a) Only protein
   b) Protein and calories ✅
   c) Only fat
   d) Vitamins only
   Explanation: Marasmus results from severe calorie and protein deficiency.
10. To prevent anemia, we should include:
    a) Vitamin C
    b) Iron-rich foods ✅
    c) Salt
    d) Water
    Explanation: Iron is essential for preventing anemia.
11. Pellagra is caused by deficiency of:
    a) Vitamin B6
    b) Niacin (Vitamin B3) ✅
    c) Vitamin D
    d) Vitamin A
    Explanation: Niacin deficiency causes pellagra, with symptoms of diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia.
12. What causes dental caries?
    a) Iron deficiency
    b) Lack of fluoride ✅
    c) Lack of fiber
    d) Lack of sugar
    Explanation: Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay.
13. Which nutrient is required for strong teeth and bones?
    a) Iron
    b) Calcium ✅
    c) Protein
    d) Sodium
    Explanation: Calcium is vital for bone and dental health.
14. A symptom of scurvy is:
    a) Swollen thyroid
    b) Soft bones
    c) Bleeding gums ✅
    d) Hair loss
    Explanation: Scurvy causes bleeding gums and joint pain.
15. Vitamin D helps in absorption of:
    a) Iron
    b) Calcium ✅
    c) Vitamin C
    d) Sodium
    Explanation: Vitamin D supports calcium absorption for bone health.
16. Protein deficiency in children causes:
    a) Anemia
    b) Obesity
    c) Kwashiorkor ✅
    d) Scurvy
    Explanation: Kwashiorkor results from inadequate protein intake.
17. Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to:
    a) Scurvy
    b) Anemia ✅
    c) Rickets
    d) Night blindness
    Explanation: B12 is essential for red blood cell formation.
18. Vitamin C is mainly found in:
    a) Milk
    b) Citrus fruits ✅
    c) Eggs
    d) Meat
    Explanation: Oranges and lemons are rich in Vitamin C.
19. Goiter results in swelling of the:
    a) Liver
    b) Thyroid gland ✅
    c) Kidney
    d) Brain
    Explanation: Iodine deficiency causes thyroid swelling.
20. Vitamin A can be obtained from:
    a) White rice
    b) Butter
    c) Carrots ✅
    d) Salt
    Explanation: Carrots contain beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.

🟡 Moderate Level (21–40)

21. Zinc deficiency can cause:
    a) Hair loss ✅
    b) Bleeding
    c) Goiter
    d) Bone pain
    Explanation: Zinc supports hair, skin, and immune health.
22. Lack of Vitamin K leads to:
    a) Poor vision
    b) Excessive bleeding ✅
    c) Brittle nails
    d) Diarrhea
    Explanation: Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting.
23. Which vitamin is associated with neural tube defects?
    a) Vitamin A
    b) Folic acid ✅
    c) Vitamin C
    d) Vitamin D
    Explanation: Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy can cause birth defects.
24. Osteoporosis is commonly due to lack of:
    a) Iron
    b) Vitamin A
    c) Calcium ✅
    d) Vitamin C
    Explanation: Calcium maintains bone density.
25. Vitamin E deficiency may lead to:
    a) Weak immunity ✅
    b) Rickets
    c) Scurvy
    d) Cataracts
    Explanation: Vitamin E helps protect cells and supports immunity.
26. Which vitamin deficiency affects the nervous system?
    a) Vitamin B1 ✅
    b) Vitamin D
    c) Vitamin C
    d) Vitamin A
    Explanation: Thiamine (B1) deficiency affects nerves.
27. Vitamin D deficiency in adults causes:
    a) Goiter
    b) Osteomalacia ✅
    c) Kwashiorkor
    d) Pellagra
    Explanation: Osteomalacia is softening of bones in adults.
28. Which symptom is common in iron deficiency anemia?
    a) Dizziness ✅
    b) Joint pain
    c) Night blindness
    d) Skin rashes
    Explanation: Low iron reduces oxygen in blood, causing fatigue and dizziness.
29. Fatigue and muscle cramps may be due to deficiency of:
    a) Sodium
    b) Potassium ✅
    c) Vitamin D
    d) Calcium
    Explanation: Potassium helps with nerve and muscle function.
30. Cracking at the corners of the mouth may indicate:
    a) Protein deficiency
    b) Vitamin B2 deficiency ✅
    c) Vitamin C excess
    d) Zinc toxicity
    Explanation: Riboflavin (B2) supports healthy skin and mucous membranes.
31. Niacin deficiency causes:
    a) Anemia
    b) Pellagra ✅
    c) Scurvy
    d) Goiter
    Explanation: Pellagra is characterized by the 3 D’s: Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia.
32. Delayed wound healing may be a sign of:
    a) Vitamin C deficiency ✅
    b) Vitamin A deficiency
    c) Iron overload
    d) Calcium excess
    Explanation: Vitamin C is crucial for tissue repair and healing.
33. Which vitamin deficiency is common in alcoholics?
    a) Vitamin B1 ✅
    b) Vitamin D
    c) Vitamin A
    d) Vitamin C
    Explanation: Alcohol interferes with absorption of thiamine.
34. A child with swollen belly and thin limbs may have:
    a) Scurvy
    b) Kwashiorkor ✅
    c) Marasmus
    d) Goiter
    Explanation: Classic symptom of protein deficiency in kwashiorkor.
35. What is a common sign of vitamin A deficiency?
    a) Bone pain
    b) Weak pulse
    c) Dry eyes ✅
    d) Swollen joints
    Explanation: Vitamin A maintains eye moisture.
36. Vitamin D is also known as the:
    a) Sunshine vitamin ✅
    b) Sleep vitamin
    c) Brain vitamin
    d) Clotting vitamin
    Explanation: Vitamin D is synthesized by skin under sunlight.
37. What is a major cause of preventable blindness in children?
    a) Zinc deficiency
    b) Vitamin A deficiency ✅
    c) Iron deficiency
    d) Protein excess
    Explanation: Lack of vitamin A can lead to vision loss.
38. Who is most at risk of iron deficiency?
    a) Elderly
    b) Young men
    c) Menopausal women
    d) Pregnant women ✅
    Explanation: Increased demand during pregnancy requires more iron.
39. Vitamin B12 is mostly found in:
    a) Meat and dairy ✅
    b) Fruits
    c) Vegetables
    d) Cereals
    Explanation: B12 is animal-based, thus vegetarians may lack it.
40. Children with marasmus show:
    a) Puffy face
    b) Wasting and thinness ✅
    c) Swollen limbs
    d) Curved spine
    Explanation: Marasmus results in extreme wasting due to calorie deficiency.

🔴 Hard Level (41–50)

41. Which vitamin deficiency is linked to bleeding disorders?
    a) Vitamin A
    b) Vitamin K ✅
    c) Vitamin C
    d) Vitamin D
    Explanation: Vitamin K is required for blood clotting.
42. Fat-soluble vitamins include:
    a) A, D, E, K ✅
    b) B, C
    c) B1, B2, B6, B12
    d) All vitamins
    Explanation: Only A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble.
43. Long-term vitamin D deficiency may lead to:
    a) Muscle hypertrophy
    b) Osteoporosis ✅
    c) Constipation
    d) Blindness
    Explanation: Vitamin D deficiency weakens bones over time.
44. Magnesium deficiency can lead to:
    a) Weight gain
    b) Muscle spasms ✅
    c) Hair fall
    d) Swollen thyroid
    Explanation: Magnesium is involved in muscle function.
45. A lack of vitamin B6 may result in:
    a) Poor memory ✅
    b) Poor vision
    c) Scurvy
    d) Night sweats
    Explanation: B6 supports brain function.
46. Vitamin E deficiency can lead to:
    a) Nerve and muscle damage ✅
    b) Eye disease
    c) Rickets
    d) Tooth loss
    Explanation: Vitamin E protects nerve and muscle tissues.
47. Which trace mineral is essential for thyroid hormone production?
    a) Zinc
    b) Copper
    c) Iodine ✅
    d) Magnesium
    Explanation: Iodine is a component of thyroid hormones.
48. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is caused by lack of:
    a) Thiamine (Vitamin B1) ✅
    b) Vitamin C
    c) Iron
    d) Calcium
    Explanation: Seen in alcoholics due to thiamine deficiency.
49. Bitot’s spots on eyes are seen in:
    a) Vitamin A deficiency ✅
    b) Zinc deficiency
    c) Vitamin C deficiency
    d) Iron deficiency
    Explanation: White spots on eyes indicate vitamin A lack.
50. Spina bifida in newborns is linked to:
    a) Low calcium
    b) Low folic acid ✅
    c) High iron
    d) High sodium
    Explanation: Folic acid during pregnancy prevents neural tube defects.