Non-communicable diseases: dietary approach to hypertension: 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 · Non-communicable diseases: dietary approach to hypertension

Sample item

A 45-year-old man has stage 1 hypertension with no target organ damage. His physician advises a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, with reduced saturated fat and sodium. Which dietary pattern is this?

ALow-residue dietBDietary Approaches to Stop HypertensionCAtkins-type low-carbohydrate dietDKetogenic diet

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension

The DASH pattern emphasises fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy with little saturated fat, and it lowers blood pressure in trials. Combined with sodium restriction, weight loss and regular exercise, it forms the lifestyle component of hypertension control.

Option by option

A. Low-residue diet
A low-residue diet restricts fibre for bowel disease and is not meant for blood pressure.
B. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (correct)
Correct. This is the DASH dietary pattern, shown to lower blood pressure.
C. Atkins-type low-carbohydrate diet
A low-carbohydrate high-protein diet is not designed for blood pressure control.
D. Ketogenic diet
A ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrate and high in fat, the opposite of this advice.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH pattern emphasises fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy with little saturated fat, and it lowers blood pressure in trials.

Why is "Low-residue diet" not the answer?

A low-residue diet restricts fibre for bowel disease and is not meant for blood pressure.

Why is "Atkins-type low-carbohydrate diet" not the answer?

A low-carbohydrate high-protein diet is not designed for blood pressure control.

Why is "Ketogenic diet" not the answer?

A ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrate and high in fat, the opposite of this advice.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Non-communicable diseases: dietary approach to hypertension in PSM. Combined with sodium restriction, weight loss and regular exercise, it forms the lifestyle component of hypertension control.

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 Non-communicable diseases: dietary approach to hypertension?

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.