Nutrition: glycaemic index: 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: glycaemic index

Sample item

A dietitian counsels a patient with diabetes to prefer foods with a low glycaemic index. What does the glycaemic index measure?

AThe total calories supplied by a foodBThe rise in blood glucose after a food compared with a reference carbohydrateCThe protein quality of a foodDThe amount of fibre in a food

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. The rise in blood glucose after a food compared with a reference carbohydrate

The glycaemic index ranks carbohydrate-containing foods by the blood glucose response they produce compared with pure glucose or white bread. High fibre, intact whole grains and pulses usually have a lower index, which helps with glycaemic control.

Option by option

A. The total calories supplied by a food
Calories are expressed as energy value and not by the glycaemic index.
B. The rise in blood glucose after a food compared with a reference carbohydrate (correct)
Correct. It compares the glucose response to a food against a reference carbohydrate.
C. The protein quality of a food
Protein quality is expressed by measures such as biological value or net protein utilisation.
D. The amount of fibre in a food
Fibre content is a separate property, although it influences the index.

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, The rise in blood glucose after a food compared with a reference carbohydrate. The glycaemic index ranks carbohydrate-containing foods by the blood glucose response they produce compared with pure glucose or white bread.

Why is "The total calories supplied by a food" not the answer?

Calories are expressed as energy value and not by the glycaemic index.

Why is "The protein quality of a food" not the answer?

Protein quality is expressed by measures such as biological value or net protein utilisation.

Why is "The amount of fibre in a food" not the answer?

Fibre content is a separate property, although it influences the index.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: glycaemic index in PSM. High fibre, intact whole grains and pulses usually have a lower index, which helps with glycaemic 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 Nutrition: glycaemic index?

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.