Answer to Question 1
2
Rationale: The diminished secretion of hydrochloric acid that occurs with aging affects the digestion and absorption of nutrients that require a more acid medium in the stomach including vitamin b-12, calcium, and iron. Malabsorption of vitamin B-12 because of diminished gastric acid is the reason for over one-half of the cases of deficiency found in hospitalized older adults. Therefore it is recommended that older adults increase their intake of synthetic vitamin B-12.
Answer to Question 2
D
Achievement of healthier body weight is a more realistic goal than maintenance of ideal body weight; it is more likely to encourage success. Monitoring annual weight changes allows re-searchers to describe trends, but not to reverse them. Smoking cessation improves health, but is more likely to be associated with weight gain than with weight loss.