QCHP Dietitian flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Atwater factors

Energy values: carbohydrate 4 kcal/g, protein 4 kcal/g, fat 9 kcal/g, alcohol 7 kcal/g. Used to calculate energy content of foods.

Essential amino acids

Nine amino acids the body cannot synthesize: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine. Must be obtained from diet.

Beta-oxidation

Mitochondrial process that cleaves two carbons from fatty acids per cycle, producing acetyl-CoA, FADH2, and NADH for energy.

Ketogenesis

Production of ketone bodies (acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetone) in the liver from excess acetyl-CoA during fasting or low-carbohydrate intake.

HACCP

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system with seven principles to identify, prevent, and control food safety hazards from production to consumption.

Danger zone

Temperature range 4°C to 60°C (40°F–140°F) where bacteria multiply rapidly; limit food exposure to 2 hours.

Maillard reaction

Non-enzymatic browning between amino acids and reducing sugars when heated, producing flavor and color in foods like bread crust and grilled meat.

Emulsion

Mixture of two immiscible liquids (e.g., oil and water) stabilized by an emulsifier like lecithin; examples include mayonnaise and milk.

DASH diet

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension: emphasizes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and limits sodium, saturated fat, and sweets to lower blood pressure.

Celiac disease diet

Lifelong gluten-free diet avoiding wheat, barley, rye, and cross-contaminated oats; essential for managing celiac disease and preventing complications.

Phenylketonuria diet

Restricts phenylalanine (an essential amino acid) and supplements tyrosine; avoids aspartame, which contains phenylalanine, to prevent cognitive impairment.

HbA1c

Glycated hemoglobin reflecting average blood glucose over 2–3 months; target <7% for most adults with diabetes to reduce complications.

PES statement

Nutrition diagnosis format: Problem (diagnostic label), Etiology (cause), Signs/Symptoms (evidence). Used in the Nutrition Care Process.

BMI

Body mass index = weight (kg) / height (m)^2. Classifies underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5–24.9), overweight (25–29.9), obese (≥30).

Prealbumin

Transthyretin, a negative acute-phase reactant with half-life ~2 days; used to monitor short-term nutritional changes but affected by inflammation.

24-hour recall

Dietary assessment method where patient recalls all foods and beverages consumed in the past 24 hours; quick but relies on memory and may not represent usual intake.

Food insecurity

Limited or uncertain access to adequate food due to lack of money or other resources; assessed by USDA household food security survey module.

WIC program

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; provides food, education, and support to low-income pregnant women, infants, and children under 5.

Social determinants of health

Conditions where people live, learn, work, and play that affect health, including economic stability, education, social context, health care access, and neighborhood environment.

Transtheoretical Model

Behavior change model with stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance; used to tailor nutrition counseling interventions.

Motivational interviewing

Client-centered counseling style using open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing to explore and resolve ambivalence about behavior change.

SMART goals

Goal-setting criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound; used in nutrition counseling to create clear, actionable objectives.

Teach-back method

Health literacy strategy where patient explains information in their own words to confirm understanding; improves communication and adherence.

Scope of practice

Legal boundaries defining what a dietitian or nutrition professional may do, varying by state licensure, certification, and institutional policy.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; protects patient health information and sets standards for privacy and security of health data.

Informed consent

Ethical and legal requirement that patient voluntarily agrees to a procedure or treatment after being informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives.

ADIME

Nutrition care documentation format: Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring and Evaluation; standard for documenting the Nutrition Care Process.

Levels of evidence

Hierarchy ranking study designs: systematic reviews/meta-analyses > randomized controlled trials > cohort > case-control > case series > expert opinion.

PICO

Framework for clinical questions: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome; used to formulate searchable evidence-based practice questions.

Sensitivity

Proportion of true positives correctly identified by a test: true positives / (true positives + false negatives); ability to detect disease when present.

Relative risk

Ratio of incidence in exposed to incidence in unexposed: risk in exposed / risk in unexposed; used in cohort studies to measure association.

PDSA cycle

Plan-Do-Study-Act; quality improvement model for testing changes on a small scale before widespread implementation, focusing on iterative learning.