Which disease is not caused by iodine deficiency?

MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Medium

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Neck rigidity, or nuchal rigidity, is the inability to flex the neck forward due to stiffness of the neck muscles.
It is a hallmark sign of meningeal irritation, which is most commonly caused by meningitis (bacterial or viral infection of the meninges).
Other causes include subarachnoid hemorrhage, tetanus, and severe cervical spondylosis.
Iodine deficiency affects the thyroid gland and systemic metabolism but does not cause inflammation or stiffness in the neck muscles or meninges.

Option A: Goitre is the most visible sign of iodine deficiency. It is the enlargement of the thyroid gland as it tries to compensate for the lack of iodine to produce thyroid hormones.
Option B: Mental retardation is one of the most severe and irreversible consequences of iodine deficiency, particularly when it occurs during fetal development and early infancy (endemic cretinism).
Option C: Deaf mutism is a classic feature of the neurologic type of endemic cretinism, caused by severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy that impairs the development of the auditory system and brain.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Identification of clinical manifestations not associated with Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses are vital in public health campaigns for the prevention of IDD, primarily through educating communities on the importance of using iodized salt.
In clinical practice, nurses assess for signs of thyroid dysfunction, including goitre, and monitor developmental milestones in children, especially in endemic regions.
A nurse encountering a patient with neck rigidity must recognize it as a potential medical emergency (a 'red flag' sign) and ensure prompt medical evaluation for conditions like meningitis.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify that the question is a 'negative' question, asking what is NOT caused by a specific condition.
The core concept is 'iodine deficiency'. Recall or deduce the main effects of this nutritional deficiency.
Iodine is essential for the thyroid gland. Therefore, problems will relate to the thyroid (goitre) and the hormones it produces (hypothyroidism), which affect metabolism and development.
Evaluate each option: Goitre (thyroid enlargement), Mental retardation (brain development), and Deaf mutism (neurological development in cretinism) are all classic consequences of severe iodine deficiency.
Consider the last option, 'Neck rigidity'. This symptom is primarily associated with inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) or muscle spasm (tetanus), which are unrelated to iodine levels.
Conclude that neck rigidity is the outlier and therefore the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of clinical manifestations not associated with Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD).
Stem keywords: disease, iodine deficiency
Lead-in keywords: not caused by
Negative lead-in flag: Question asks for the exception (NOT caused by).

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