Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

Which of the following refers to a dietary therapy that includes treatment options outside standard care?

1. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

2. Carbohydrate Counting

3. Blood Glucose Monitoring

4. Medical Nutrition Therapy

The correct answer is: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

The concept of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) encompasses a variety of treatment options that are used alongside or in place of traditional medical approaches. CAM includes practices such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, yoga, and certain dietary therapies that fall outside the conventional definitions of standard care provided by healthcare professionals. This term is rooted in the idea of integrating different treatment modalities to support health and well-being. Many individuals seek CAM therapies for a holistic approach to treatment, which may address not just physical health, but emotional and mental wellness as well. In contrast, other options like carbohydrate counting and blood glucose monitoring focus more on specific dietary management tools and monitoring strategies that are typically used within the scope of standard medical treatment, particularly for diabetes management. Medical Nutrition Therapy, while also important, involves dietary interventions designed specifically for the management of medical conditions but does not incorporate the broader array of alternative approaches found in CAM.