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NCLEX · Lifestyle Choices and Disease Prevention

A nurse teaches a client with risk factors for cardiovascular disease about the DASH diet. Which of the following is a core principle of the DASH diet?

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Correct answer

Emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; limited saturated fat, sodium (<2,300 mg/day ideally <1,500 mg/day), and added sugars; adequate potassium, calcium, and magnesium

  1. A High protein, low carbohydrate intake
  2. B Unlimited fat intake if it comes from animal sources
  3. C Eliminate all carbohydrates
  4. D Emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy; limited saturated fat, sodium (<2,300 mg/day ideally <1,500 mg/day), and added sugars; adequate potassium, calcium, and magnesium

Why this is the answer

DASH DIET (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension): Developed specifically to reduce blood pressure.

Key components: Fruits: 4-5 servings/day; Vegetables: 4-5 servings/day; Whole grains: 6-8 servings/day; Low-fat dairy: 2-3 servings/day; Lean meats, poultry, fish: ≤6 oz/day; Nuts, seeds, legumes: 4-5 servings/week; Fats/oils: 2-3 servings/day; Sweets: ≤5 per week.

Sodium: Standard DASH = <2,300 mg/day; Lower-sodium DASH = <1,500 mg/day (recommended for HTN, diabetes, CKD, age 51+, Black adults).

Evidence: Reduces systolic BP by 8-14 mmHg; comparable to single antihypertensive medication.

Nursing education: Focus on what to ADD (produce, whole grains) before restricting — positive framing improves adherence.

Source: NCLEX-RN HP — Cardiovascular Prevention, DASH Diet

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About this topic: Lifestyle Choices and Disease Prevention

Lifestyle and disease prevention questions cover primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, risk-factor modification — diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol — and the counselling techniques that support behaviour change. This is one of 14 RN: Health Promotion and Maintenance questions on lifestyle choices and disease prevention, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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