Certified Gastroenterology RN Certified Gastroenterology RN GI Nutrition and Therapeutic Diets Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which diet is most appropriate for a patient with newly diagnosed Celiac disease?

Accepted Answer

Gluten-free diet

Answer

Celiac disease requires a strict lifelong gluten-free diet to prevent intestinal damage caused by immune reaction to gluten.

Question 2

A patient with Crohn's disease is experiencing an acute flare. Which nutritional intervention is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube

Answer

Enteral nutrition provides bowel rest while delivering adequate nutrients and has been shown to reduce inflammation in Crohn's disease flares.

Question 3

Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with prolonged diarrhea in GI patients?

Accepted Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Prolonged diarrhea causes significant potassium loss through the GI tract, leading to hypokalemia.

Question 4

A patient with short bowel syndrome is at greatest risk for deficiency of which vitamin?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B12

Answer

Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the terminal ileum, which is often resected in short bowel syndrome, leading to deficiency.

Question 5

Which nutritional supplement is recommended for patients with hepatic encephalopathy to help manage ammonia levels?

Accepted Answer

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)

Answer

BCAAs are metabolized in muscle rather than the liver, helping to reduce ammonia production and improve hepatic encephalopathy.

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