Question

A medical assistant is reviewing the dietary intake of a patient who has lactose intolerance. What food should the medical assistant remind the patient to limit?

Answer 1

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the lactose in milk cannot be digested well in the small intestine. The food that the medical assistant should remind the patient to limit is dairy foods. There are lactose-free alternatives available.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the lactose in milk cannot be digested well in the small intestine. The undigested lactose then moves into the large intestine where bacteria attack it, forming large amounts of gas. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, cramps, nausea, and vomiting.

Since lactose is found in dairy products, the food that the medical assistant should remind the patient to limit is dairy foods. This includes milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

There are lactose-free alternatives available, such as lactose-free milk, that the patient can consume instead to meet their nutritional needs.