Which of the following does not have a protective function?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2019

Explanation

Fish is primarily classified as a body-building food, not a protective food.
Its main nutritional contribution is high-quality protein (15-25%), which is essential for the growth, building, and repair of body tissues.
While some fish contain protective nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, its principal role in a balanced diet is body-building.

Option A: Milk is considered a protective food because it is a rich source of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin D, which are essential for strong bones, teeth, and immune function.
Option C: Fruits are a classic example of protective foods. They are packed with vitamins (especially Vitamin C), minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that protect the body from diseases and cellular damage.
Option D: Green leafy vegetables (like spinach and methi) are quintessential protective foods. They are dense in vitamins (A, C, K), minerals (iron, calcium), and folic acid, which are vital for preventing infections and deficiency diseases.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Functional Classification of Foods as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses use the functional classification of foods to provide dietary counseling to patients for health promotion and disease management.
A balanced diet, incorporating all three food groups, is crucial for post-operative recovery, wound healing, and managing chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
What if? If a patient is recovering from major surgery and has significant tissue damage, the nurse would emphasize the intake of body-building foods like fish, eggs, and pulses to promote healing and repair.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept: the function of different foods.
Notice the negative keyword 'does not'. This means you are looking for the option that is the exception.
Recall the three main functional classifications of food: Energy-yielding, Body-building, and Protective.
Categorize each option based on its primary nutrients and function.
Milk, fruits, and green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals, making them protective.
Fish is rich in protein, making it a body-building food. This is the exception, and therefore the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Functional Classification of Foods
Stem keywords: food, protective function
Lead-in keywords: does not
Negative lead-in flag: The question uses negative framing ('does not'), asking to identify the exception among the options.

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E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & DieteticsHarbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 316-318

E6 Nutrition Monika Sharma 3e pp. 189-191, 57-59

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