Dietetic Technician Practice Test

If a patient expresses confusion due to conflicting nutrition information found in magazines, which response would be inappropriate?

1. Asking her to determine if the article is based on one study

2. Asking to review the article for evaluation methods

3. Telling her that published information is always correct

4. Asking about the study sample size

The correct answer is: Telling her that published information is always correct

The response indicating that published information is always correct is inappropriate because it undermines the critical thinking that is essential in evaluating nutritional information. In the field of dietetics, it is crucial to understand that not all published studies or articles undergo rigorous peer review or adhere to strict scientific standards. Acknowledging that some published information may be flawed or misleading encourages individuals to question the validity of the sources they encounter. When patients receive conflicting information, it is important to guide them in assessing the credibility of the claims they read. Encouraging them to consider whether the article is based on one study, reviewing the evaluation methods, or asking about the study sample size are all appropriate strategies that help foster informed decision-making. Each of these approaches promotes a deeper understanding of how to discern high-quality nutritional research from less reliable information.