Free Childhood Nutrition and Malnutrition MCQs with Answers
50 Childhood Nutrition and Malnutrition MCQs from Paediatric Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Childhood nutrition covers essential nutrients, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, dietary assessment, growth monitoring and age-appropriate feeding practices. Questions distinguish protein-energy malnutrition, including marasmus and kwashiorkor, from micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, vitamin A, vitamin D and iodine deficiency, using clinical signs and anthropometric findings.
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- A. Less than 11.5 cm
- B. 11.5 to 12.4 cm
- C. 12.5 to 13.4 cm
- D. 13.5 to 14.4 cm
Explanation: A MUAC below 11.5 cm indicates severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6 to 59 months.
Correct answer: Less than 11.5 cm- A. Stunting from chronic undernutrition
- B. Wasting from recent weight loss
- C. Overweight from excess energy intake
- D. Oedematous malnutrition from protein deficiency
Explanation: Low height-for-age indicates stunting, which usually reflects chronic or repeated undernutrition.
Correct answer: Stunting from chronic undernutrition- A. Offer thicker mashed foods with greater nutrient density
- B. Replace breast milk with diluted fruit juice
- C. Give only clear soup until the first birthday
- D. Delay solid foods until the child grows more teeth
Explanation: Thick mashed foods provide more energy and nutrients in a small stomach than watery rice water.
Correct answer: Offer thicker mashed foods with greater nutrient density- A. Sit with the child and encourage slow, supervised feeding
- B. Place the child flat to reduce movement during feeding
- C. Allow the child to eat alone so appetite develops
- D. Stop feeding when the child takes the first mouthful
Explanation: The child should be seated upright and supervised during feeding to reduce choking risk and support responsive feeding.
Correct answer: Sit with the child and encourage slow, supervised feeding- A. Assess feeding history and check the child's health
- B. Start a high-calorie supplement without assessment
- C. Reassure the caregiver because one weight is normal
- D. Restrict fluids to increase appetite at mealtimes
Explanation: A downward crossing of growth lines may indicate growth faltering and requires assessment of intake, illness, feeding technique and social…
Correct answer: Assess feeding history and check the child's health- A. Lentils served with rice
- B. Tea served with biscuits
- C. Boiled potato served with cucumber
- D. Sugar mixed with diluted fruit juice
Explanation: Combining legumes such as lentils with cereals such as rice improves the overall amino acid pattern and supplies useful protein.
Correct answer: Lentils served with rice- A. Zinc
- B. Fluoride
- C. Vitamin K
- D. Sodium bicarbonate
Explanation: Zinc supplementation, together with oral rehydration and continued feeding, helps reduce the duration and severity of childhood diarrhoea…
Correct answer: Zinc- A. Lentils with tomato and lemon
- B. White bread with clarified butter
- C. Rice pudding with added sugar
- D. Cucumber with plain yoghurt
Explanation: Lentils provide non-haem iron, and tomato or lemon supplies vitamin C that improves its absorption.
Correct answer: Lentils with tomato and lemon- A. Gradually introduce mashed and soft lumpy foods
- B. Continue only strained liquids until chewing teeth appear
- C. Add extra water so the liquids are easier to swallow
- D. Stop complementary foods and give breast milk alone
Explanation: Soft mashed and lumpy foods should be introduced gradually during complementary feeding to develop oral skills and provide adequate…
Correct answer: Gradually introduce mashed and soft lumpy foods- A. Provide recommended vitamin D intake and safe sunlight exposure
- B. Avoid all outdoor activity to protect the child's bones
- C. Give extra vitamin A whenever the child has poor appetite
- D. Replace milk and meals with sweetened fruit drinks
Explanation: Adequate vitamin D from recommended dietary or supplement sources, together with safe sunlight exposure, supports calcium absorption and…
Correct answer: Provide recommended vitamin D intake and safe sunlight exposure31. Which nutrient is the main building material for a child's muscles, organs, enzymes, and antibodies?
- A. Carbohydrate
- B. Protein
- C. Dietary fat
- D. Vitamin C
Explanation: Protein supplies amino acids needed for growth, tissue repair, enzymes, and immune proteins.
Correct answer: Protein- A. Iron-deficiency anaemia
- B. Vitamin C toxicity
- C. Iodine excess
- D. Protein allergy
Explanation: Excessive cow's milk can displace iron-rich foods and is associated with iron-deficiency anaemia in young children.
Correct answer: Iron-deficiency anaemia- A. It provides four kilocalories per gram
- B. It helps absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K
- C. It prevents all childhood infections
- D. It replaces the need for dietary protein
Explanation: Dietary fat helps the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K and also provides concentrated energy.
Correct answer: It helps absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K- A. Riboflavin deficiency
- B. Vitamin D deficiency
- C. Iodine deficiency
- D. Vitamin K deficiency
Explanation: Angular stomatitis, cheilosis, and glossitis are characteristic features associated with riboflavin deficiency.
Correct answer: Riboflavin deficiency- A. Zinc deficiency
- B. Vitamin K deficiency
- C. Fluoride deficiency
- D. Vitamin B12 excess
Explanation: Zinc deficiency may cause poor growth, diarrhoea, reduced appetite, impaired immunity, and skin changes.
Correct answer: Zinc deficiency- A. The caregiver's description of the child's favourite food
- B. The measured amount served and the amount left over
- C. The child's weight recorded at the last clinic visit
- D. The number of meals listed on the clinic card
Explanation: Recording the quantity served and the quantity remaining gives a better estimate of actual intake than simply listing foods or meal…
Correct answer: The measured amount served and the amount left over- A. Stop breastfeeding before returning to work
- B. Express breast milk and store it safely
- C. Add cereal to each breast milk feed
- D. Dilute breast milk with boiled water
Explanation: Expressing breast milk allows the caregiver to continue providing breast milk while the mother is away, provided clean collection and safe…
Correct answer: Express breast milk and store it safely- A. Rice served with lentils
- B. Tea served with biscuits
- C. Boiled potato served with sugar
- D. Fruit juice served with bread
Explanation: Combining cereals such as rice with legumes such as lentils improves the overall amino acid pattern and provides useful plant protein.
Correct answer: Rice served with lentils- A. Give an appropriate glucose-containing feed promptly
- B. Withhold all oral intake for eight hours
- C. Encourage vigorous physical activity
- D. Give a high-protein meal immediately
Explanation: Hypoglycaemia is an immediate threat to the brain, so a conscious child who can swallow should receive an appropriate glucose-containing…
Correct answer: Give an appropriate glucose-containing feed promptly- A. Different foods provide different vitamins and protective nutrients
- B. Coloured foods contain no carbohydrate or dietary fat
- C. Variety guarantees that the child will never become ill
- D. Vegetables alone provide all nutrients needed for growth
Explanation: A varied diet improves the chance of receiving different vitamins, minerals, fibre, and other protective nutrients.
Correct answer: Different foods provide different vitamins and protective nutrients