CN Patient Assessment & Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient reports unintentional loss of 12 pounds from a usual weight of 160 pounds over 3 months. What is the approximate percentage of weight loss?
- 7.5% (Correct answer)
- 12%
- 5%
- 10%
Correct answer: 7.5%
Weight loss percentage is (12 ÷ 160) × 100, which equals 7.5%.
Question 2: Which dietary assessment method provides the best estimate of long-term habitual intake?
- Food frequency questionnaire (Correct answer)
- Single 24-hour recall
- One-day food record
- Direct meal observation
Correct answer: Food frequency questionnaire
Food frequency questionnaires capture usual intake patterns over weeks to months rather than a single day.
Question 3: Angular cheilitis and glossitis found on physical examination most commonly suggest a deficiency of which nutrient group?
- B vitamins such as riboflavin and B12 (Correct answer)
- Vitamin D and calcium
- Vitamin K
- Omega-3 fatty acids
Correct answer: B vitamins such as riboflavin and B12
Cracks at the mouth corners and an inflamed tongue are classic signs of B-vitamin deficiencies.
Question 4: Under HIPAA, which action by a nutritionist would violate patient confidentiality?
- Discussing a patient's lab results with a friend who knows the patient (Correct answer)
- Sharing records with the patient's treating physician
- Reviewing the chart before a scheduled appointment
- Releasing records after obtaining written patient authorization
Correct answer: Discussing a patient's lab results with a friend who knows the patient
Disclosing protected health information to anyone outside the care team without authorization violates HIPAA.
Question 5: Which anthropometric tool is most appropriate for estimating stature in a patient who cannot stand?
- Knee-height measurement (Correct answer)
- Standard wall stadiometer
- Bathroom scale
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis
Correct answer: Knee-height measurement
Knee height with a validated equation estimates stature for bedridden or non-ambulatory patients.
Question 6: A patient's usual body weight is 180 lbs and current weight is 171 lbs, lost over one month. How should this weight change be interpreted?
- Significant weight loss (5% in one month) (Correct answer)
- Severe weight loss (>10% in one month)
- Not clinically meaningful
- Expected fluid fluctuation
Correct answer: Significant weight loss (5% in one month)
A 5% loss of usual body weight within one month meets the standard criterion for significant weight loss.
Question 7: Which entry belongs in the Objective section of a SOAP note?
- Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L (Correct answer)
- Patient states she skips breakfast daily
- Suspected inadequate energy intake
- Schedule follow-up in two weeks
Correct answer: Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
Measurable data such as laboratory values are documented in the Objective section.
CN Patient Assessment & Documentation 3
A patient reports unintentional loss of 12 pounds from a usual weight of 160 pounds over 3 months.
What is the approximate percentage of weight loss?