Which of the following is NOT a measure to maintain health?

Appeared in: BTSC 3 August 2025

Explanation

Limiting nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is directly contrary to established dietary guidelines for health maintenance.
Healthy eating patterns emphasize consuming these foods to prevent chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
According to USDA guidelines, a healthy plate should consist of 50% vegetables and fruits, with the remaining portions dedicated to whole grains and lean proteins.

Option A: This is incorrect because establishing a regular sleep schedule is a well-established, positive health measure essential for physical and mental recuperation.
Option B: This is incorrect because regular moderate-intensity exercise is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, recommended by health authorities worldwide to prevent chronic illness.
Option D: This is incorrect because maintaining adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water is a fundamental component of health, supporting all major bodily functions.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Health Promotion and Maintenance Strategies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in patient education regarding lifestyle modifications, including diet, exercise, sleep, and hydration, to promote health and prevent chronic illness.
Assessing a patient's daily habits is a fundamental part of a holistic nursing assessment to identify risk factors and areas for health improvement.
What if? If a patient has chronic kidney disease or heart failure, the advice to 'drink plenty of water' would be contraindicated. Nurses must tailor health advice to individual patient conditions, such as implementing fluid restrictions.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question ('NOT'). This signals that you must find the option that is an incorrect or unhealthy action.
Systematically evaluate each option against foundational knowledge of health and wellness.
Recognize that regular sleep (Option A), moderate exercise (Option B), and adequate hydration (Option D) are all well-known positive health behaviors.
Identify Option C, which suggests limiting essential, healthy food groups, as the outlier that contradicts standard health advice.
Conclude that the statement that is NOT a measure to maintain health is the one recommending the restriction of healthy foods.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Health Promotion and Maintenance Strategies
Stem keywords: maintain health
Lead-in keywords: NOT
Negative lead-in flag: Question is negatively framed and asks for the exception.

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 53-55

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 199-201

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 496-498

Practise the full BTSC 3 August 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.