CN Emergency Procedures & Response 3

Question 1

A client receiving enteral tube feeding suddenly develops coughing, choking, and difficulty breathing during the feeding. What is the most likely emergency and first action?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration; stop the feeding immediately

Answer

Coughing and respiratory distress during tube feeding suggest aspiration, so the feeding must be stopped immediately.

Question 2

A severely malnourished client begins aggressive nutritional repletion and develops muscle weakness, confusion, and cardiac arrhythmia. Which electrolyte disturbance is the hallmark of this emergency?

Accepted Answer

Hypophosphatemia

Answer

Refeeding syndrome is characterized primarily by a dangerous drop in serum phosphate along with low potassium and magnesium.

Question 3

During group cooking class, a participant sustains a burn on the forearm from hot oil. What is the correct first aid?

Accepted Answer

Cool the burn under cool running water for 10-20 minutes

Answer

Burns should be cooled with cool (not ice-cold) running water for 10-20 minutes; butter and ice worsen tissue damage.

Question 4

A client with an eating disorder reports vomiting multiple times daily and now has muscle cramps, palpitations, and weakness. Which lab abnormality creates the greatest immediate cardiac risk?

Accepted Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Repeated vomiting causes potassium loss, and hypokalemia can trigger life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.

Question 5

An elderly client at a community nutrition site shows confusion, dry mouth, sunken eyes, and dark urine on a hot day. What emergency condition should be suspected?

Accepted Answer

Severe dehydration possibly progressing to heat illness

Answer

Confusion with classic dehydration signs in heat suggests severe dehydration and possible heat-related illness requiring urgent fluids and cooling.

(CN) Certified Nutritionist Practice Test

(CN) Certified Nutritionist Practice Test

CN Emergency Procedures & Response 3