Q141. A unique feature of the Ayushman Bharat PM- JAY scheme is its portability. This means that:
Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes: RAS Prelims MCQs
151 RAS Prelims MCQs on human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes test nutrients, vitamins, deficiency diseases and government programmes. Carbohydrates, vitamin names, iron and anaemia, overnutrition, adulteration and epidemic dropsy, the role of an ASHA worker and the aims of Poshan Abhiyan are asked as facts and effects.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 141–150 of 151 questions
Q142. Consider the following public health programmes in India:
I. National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme
II. National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme
III. National Mental Health Programme
IV. National Leprosy Eradication Programme
V. National Programme for Control of Blindness
Which of the above are sub-components or fall under the umbrella of the National Health Mission (NHM)?
I. National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme
II. National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme
III. National Mental Health Programme
IV. National Leprosy Eradication Programme
V. National Programme for Control of Blindness
Which of the above are sub-components or fall under the umbrella of the National Health Mission (NHM)?
Explanation
The National Health Mission serves as an umbrella program that encompasses various national disease control initiatives. This includes programs for the control of vector-borne diseases, tuberculosis, and leprosy. Additionally, it integrates efforts for mental health care and the prevention of blindness. This comprehensive structure allows for a more coordinated approach to public health, ensuring that diverse health challenges are addressed through a unified administrative and financial framework.
Q143. The "4 Ds" -- Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia, and Death -- are classic symptoms of which nutritional deficiency disease?
Explanation
Pellagra is a nutritional deficiency disease caused by a severe lack of niacin (Vitamin B3) or the amino acid tryptophan. It is historically characterized by the "four Ds": dermatitis, which affects sun-exposed skin; diarrhea; dementia, involving cognitive impairment; and eventually death if left untreated. Pellagra was once common in populations where corn was the primary dietary staple and was not properly processed to release the niacin.
Q144. A deficiency in zinc in children is most strongly associated with:
Explanation
Zinc is a critical micronutrient for immune system function and the integrity of the intestinal lining. A deficiency in zinc impairs the body’s ability to fight infections, particularly in the digestive tract. This significantly increases the risk, severity, and duration of diarrheal episodes in children. Consequently, zinc supplementation is a standard recommendation for the management of acute diarrhea, helping to reduce its impact and prevent further complications.
Q145. Which of the following supplements is universally recommended by the WHO for pregnant women to prevent maternal anemia and puerperal sepsis?
Explanation
The combination of iron and folic acid is universally recommended for pregnant women to ensure a healthy pregnancy and prevent maternal anaemia. Iron is essential for making haemoglobin to carry oxygen to the fetus, while folic acid is crucial for the early development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Regular supplementation significantly reduces the risk of low birth weight and other complications for both mother and child.
Q146. The term "Wasting" in the context of child malnutrition refers to:
Explanation
Wasting is a form of acute malnutrition that reflects a recent and severe process of weight loss, often associated with acute starvation or severe disease. It is clinically defined by a low weight-for-height ratio. Wasting can be life-threatening as it significantly increases a child’s susceptibility to infections. Identifying and treating wasting promptly is a major priority in public health programs aimed at reducing child mortality and improving nutritional outcomes.
Q147. Blanching is a process often used before freezing or canning vegetables. Its primary purpose is to:
Explanation
Blanching is a short heat treatment where vegetables are immersed in boiling water or steam for a brief period before being rapidly cooled. This process is essential for inactivating enzymes that would otherwise continue to cause the deterioration of flavor, color, and texture during frozen or canned storage. Blanching also helps clean the surface of the vegetables and softens the tissue, making them easier to package.
Q148. The "Eat Right India" movement, aiming to transform the country’s food system to ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable food, is an initiative led by:
Explanation
The "Eat Right India" movement is a flagship initiative led by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Its goal is to transform the national food system by promoting safe, healthy, and sustainable eating habits among the population. The movement focuses on three key pillars: eating safe, eating healthy, and eating sustainably. It involves a wide range of stakeholders to create a culture of food safety and wellness.
Q149. The digestion of which macronutrient begins in the mouth?
Explanation
The digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth, where the enzyme salivary amylase starts breaking down complex starches into simpler sugars. Mechanical chewing also helps by increasing the surface area of the food. While the digestion of proteins and fats occurs primarily in the stomach and small intestine, respectively, the mouth provides the necessary environment for the initial chemical breakdown of starchy foods during the process of mastication.
Q150. Which cells are known as the "scavenger cells" of the immune system because they clear away dead cells and debris?
Explanation
Macrophages are vital components of the innate immune system that function as the body’s primary scavenger cells. They move throughout the tissues, engulfing and digesting cellular debris, foreign substances, and invading microorganisms through the process of phagocytosis. By clearing away dead cells and potentially harmful pathogens, macrophages play a crucial role in maintaining tissue health and initiating the healing process after an injury or an infection has occurred.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 141 | (b) Cashless treatment at any empanelled hospital in India |
| 142 | (d) I, II, III, IV and V |
| 143 | (a) Pellagra |
| 144 | (c) Increased risk of severe and prolonged diarrhea |
| 145 | (a) Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) |
| 146 | (d) Inadequate weight for a given height |
| 147 | (c) Inactivating enzymes that cause flavor and color loss |
| 148 | (d) FSSAI |
| 149 | (a) Carbohydrates |
| 150 | (b) Macrophages |
Key facts from Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
- Carbohydrates are the main source of immediate energy; overnutrition leads to obesity.
- Vitamin C is ascorbic acid; tocopherol (vitamin E) is not part of the Vitamin B complex.
- Iron deficiency most directly leads to anaemia, and anaemia among pregnant women raises the maternal mortality rate.
- The Recommended Dietary Allowance is the daily intake level sufficient for most healthy people.
- Argemone oil in edible mustard oil causes epidemic dropsy.
- An ASHA worker links the community with the public health system under the National Health Mission; Poshan Abhiyan targets stunting, under-nutrition and anaemia.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes?
This page has 151 practice MCQs on Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes (Health, Environment and Agriculture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which condition does iron deficiency cause?
Anaemia, a low level of haemoglobin in the blood. It causes weakness and tiredness, and in pregnant women it raises the risk to both mother and child, so iron and folic acid tablets are given under the public health programmes.
What causes epidemic dropsy?
Argemone oil mixed in edible mustard oil as an adulterant. The toxin it contains affects the body and causes swelling, so adulteration of mustard oil has led to outbreaks in India.
What is the role of an ASHA worker?
To link the community with the public health system under the National Health Mission. An ASHA, the Accredited Social Health Activist, is a village-level worker who guides women to institutional delivery and immunisation.