Nutrition: enhancers of non-haem iron absorption: 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: enhancers of non-haem iron absorption

Sample item

A vegetarian woman with iron deficiency anaemia takes iron tablets with tea after meals. Which advice would most improve absorption of non-haem iron?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Take the tablets with a vitamin C rich food such as lemon juice

Ascorbic acid reduces ferric to the more absorbable ferrous form and chelates iron, thereby enhancing absorption of non-haem iron. Tannins in tea, phytates in bran, and calcium in milk reduce absorption, so these should be separated from iron doses.

Option by option

  • A. Take the tablets together with tea

    Tannins in tea bind iron and reduce its absorption.

  • B. Take the tablets with a vitamin C rich food such as lemon juice (correct)

    Correct. Vitamin C enhances non-haem iron absorption.

  • C. Take the tablets with bran-rich chapatti

    Phytates in bran bind iron and reduce its absorption.

  • D. Take the tablets with milk

    Calcium in milk competes with iron and reduces absorption.

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, Take the tablets with a vitamin C rich food such as lemon juice. Ascorbic acid reduces ferric to the more absorbable ferrous form and chelates iron, thereby enhancing absorption of non-haem iron.

Why is "Take the tablets together with tea" not the answer?

Tannins in tea bind iron and reduce its absorption.

Why is "Take the tablets with bran-rich chapatti" not the answer?

Phytates in bran bind iron and reduce its absorption.

Why is "Take the tablets with milk" not the answer?

Calcium in milk competes with iron and reduces absorption.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: enhancers of non-haem iron absorption in PSM. Tannins in tea, phytates in bran, and calcium in milk reduce absorption, so these should be separated from iron doses.

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: enhancers of non-haem iron absorption?

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.