Certified Gastroenterology RN Certified Gastroenterology RN GI Nutrition and Therapeutic Diets Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which dietary modification is the primary recommendation for patients with symptomatic diverticulosis?
- Low-fiber diet
- High-fiber diet (Correct answer)
- Low-sodium diet
- Liquid diet
Correct answer: High-fiber diet
A high-fiber diet increases stool bulk and reduces colonic pressure, helping prevent diverticular inflammation and symptom progression.
Question 2: A patient with gastroparesis should be advised to eat meals that are:
- Large and high in fat
- Small, frequent, and low in fat and fiber (Correct answer)
- High in fiber to promote motility
- Two large meals per day
Correct answer: Small, frequent, and low in fat and fiber
Small, frequent meals that are low in fat and fiber reduce gastric emptying time and minimize symptoms of gastroparesis.
Question 3: Which type of feeding is preferred in a critically ill patient with a functioning GI tract?
- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
- Peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN)
- Enteral nutrition (Correct answer)
- Oral clear liquids only
Correct answer: Enteral nutrition
Enteral nutrition is preferred in critically ill patients with a functional GI tract because it preserves gut integrity and reduces infection risk compared to parenteral nutrition.
Question 4: A patient with pancreatitis who is transitioning from NPO status should begin with which diet?
- High-fat soft diet
- Low-fat, low-fiber soft diet (Correct answer)
- Full liquid diet with milkshakes
- High-protein diet
Correct answer: Low-fat, low-fiber soft diet
A low-fat, low-fiber soft diet minimizes pancreatic enzyme stimulation while providing adequate nutrition during pancreatitis recovery.
Question 5: Which assessment finding indicates a patient receiving enteral tube feeding is at risk for aspiration?
- Gastric residual of 100 mL
- Elevated head of bed at 30 degrees
- Absent bowel sounds with distension (Correct answer)
- Blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
Correct answer: Absent bowel sounds with distension
Absent bowel sounds with abdominal distension suggest delayed gastric emptying, which significantly increases the risk of aspiration during tube feeding.
Question 6: A patient with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is most likely to require supplementation with which mineral due to chronic diarrhea?
- Calcium
- Zinc
- Iron (Correct answer)
- Selenium
Correct answer: Iron
Chronic GI blood loss from IBD combined with poor absorption leads to iron deficiency anemia, making iron the most commonly deficient mineral in these patients.
Certified Gastroenterology RN Certified Gastroenterology RN GI Nutrition and Therapeutic Diets Questions and Answers 2
Which dietary modification is the primary recommendation for patients with symptomatic diverticulosis?