Nutrition, Dietetics and First Aid
Nutrition, Dietetics and First Aid tests nutritional assessment, therapeutic diets and immediate life support. Expect BMI calculations, diet modifications in diabetes, renal disease and hypertension, and first-aid sequencing.
Nutrition basics
Energy comes from carbohydrate (4 kcal/g), protein (4 kcal/g) and fat (9 kcal/g). BMI = weight in kg ÷ (height in metres)^2; normal is 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obesity 30 and above for adults. A balanced diet supplies energy, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water.
Therapeutic diets
- Diabetes: consistent carbohydrate, high fibre, low refined sugar.
- Hypertension: low sodium, DASH-style, potassium-rich foods if renal function allows.
- Chronic kidney disease: controlled protein, potassium and phosphate; fluid restriction if oliguric.
- Liver disease: adequate protein unless encephalopathy, small frequent meals.
First aid priorities
Follow ABC: airway, breathing, circulation. For an adult in cardiac arrest, start compressions at 100–120/min, depth 5–6 cm, with a compression-to-ventilation ratio of 30:2. For choking in a conscious adult, give back blows and abdominal thrusts. For burns, cool with running water for 20 minutes, remove jewellery, cover with a clean non-adherent dressing; do not apply ice, toothpaste or oil. Immobilise suspected fractures before moving the patient.
Worked example
A patient weighs 70 kg and is 1.70 m tall. BMI = 70 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 70 ÷ 2.89 = 24.2 kg/m², which is in the normal range but near the upper limit. A 15% weight loss target would be 10.5 kg, bringing weight to 59.5 kg and BMI to about 20.6.
Traps
Fat gives 9 kcal/g, not 4. Do not give fluids by mouth to an unconscious patient. Do not use ice on burns. In adult CPR, compressions come before breaths.