Food Manager Practice Exam

Which group does the acronym PIES represent in high-risk food populations?

1. Pregnant, infants, elderly, people with impaired immune systems

2. Parents, infants, elderly, students

3. Pregnant, immunocompetent, elderly, sick individuals

4. Pregnant, infants, elderly, persons with diabetes

The correct answer is: Pregnant, infants, elderly, people with impaired immune systems

The acronym PIES accurately represents a group of individuals who are at high risk for foodborne illnesses: pregnant individuals, infants, the elderly, and people with impaired immune systems. Pregnant individuals are at higher risk due to physiological changes during pregnancy that can compromise their immune systems, making them more vulnerable to certain pathogens. Infants, because their immune systems are still developing, are less equipped to handle foodborne pathogens. The elderly often face weakened immune responses related to age, which increases their susceptibility to foodborne illnesses. Finally, individuals with impaired immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, living with HIV/AIDS, or having certain chronic illnesses, are also at significant risk due to their compromised ability to fight infections. Other choices incorporate various groups but do not reflect the universally recognized vulnerabilities associated with food safety in the same comprehensive manner. For instance, including "students" or "persons with diabetes" does not focus on groups predominantly characterized by increased risks from foodborne illnesses as clearly as the chosen answer.