Nutrition: energy value of alcohol: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Nutrition: energy value of alcohol

Sample item

A man consumes drinks that provide a total of 30 g of pure alcohol in an evening. Approximately how much energy does this alcohol supply?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. 210 kcal

Alcohol yields about 7 kcal per gram, compared with 4 kcal per gram for carbohydrate and protein and 9 kcal per gram for fat. Thirty grams of alcohol therefore supply about 210 kcal, which provides energy but no nutrients.

Option by option

  • A. 270 kcal

    This applies the value of 9 kcal per gram used for fat.

  • B. 210 kcal (correct)

    Correct. Thirty grams at 7 kcal per gram is 210 kcal.

  • C. 300 kcal

    This uses 10 kcal per gram, which is not the energy value of any dietary component.

  • D. 120 kcal

    This applies the value of 4 kcal per gram used for carbohydrate and protein.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, 210 kcal. Alcohol yields about 7 kcal per gram, compared with 4 kcal per gram for carbohydrate and protein and 9 kcal per gram for fat.

Why is "270 kcal" not the answer?

This applies the value of 9 kcal per gram used for fat.

Why is "300 kcal" not the answer?

This uses 10 kcal per gram, which is not the energy value of any dietary component.

Why is "120 kcal" not the answer?

This applies the value of 4 kcal per gram used for carbohydrate and protein.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: energy value of alcohol in PSM. Thirty grams of alcohol therefore supply about 210 kcal, which provides energy but no nutrients.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Nutrition: energy value of alcohol?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.