GNA GNA - Geriatric Nursing Assistant Nutrition and Hydration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a sign of poor nutritional status the GNA should report?
- Resident eats 75% of meals
- Unintentional weight loss over several weeks (Correct answer)
- Resident prefers soft foods
- Resident drinks 6 glasses of water daily
Correct answer: Unintentional weight loss over several weeks
Unintentional weight loss is a key indicator of malnutrition and must be reported to the nurse for further evaluation.
Question 2: A resident with diabetes has not eaten their meal. The GNA should:
- Wait until the next meal to address it
- Offer a high-sugar snack immediately
- Notify the nurse right away (Correct answer)
- Document and ignore unless the resident complains
Correct answer: Notify the nurse right away
Diabetic residents who skip meals are at risk for hypoglycemia, so the nurse must be notified immediately.
Question 3: When assisting a resident with feeding, the GNA should offer small bites and:
- Rush through the meal to save time
- Allow time for the resident to chew and swallow between bites (Correct answer)
- Mix all foods together for efficiency
- Turn on the TV to entertain the resident while feeding
Correct answer: Allow time for the resident to chew and swallow between bites
Allowing adequate time between bites reduces the risk of choking and aspiration while promoting dignity during meals.
Question 4: Which food texture is appropriate for a resident on a minced-and-moist diet?
- Raw carrots
- Whole-grain crackers
- Ground turkey in gravy (Correct answer)
- A fresh apple
Correct answer: Ground turkey in gravy
Minced-and-moist diets require foods that are finely cut and moistened, such as ground meat in gravy, to ease safe swallowing.
Question 5: A resident's care plan lists an 'I&O' (intake and output) order. The GNA should:
- Only record what the resident drinks during meals
- Measure and record all fluids consumed and all urine produced (Correct answer)
- Estimate amounts to save time
- Record only output, as intake is the nurse's responsibility
Correct answer: Measure and record all fluids consumed and all urine produced
An I&O order requires precise measurement and documentation of all fluids the resident consumes and all urine or other output produced.
Question 6: Which of the following beverages counts toward a resident's daily fluid intake?
- Only water
- Water, juice, milk, and soup broth (Correct answer)
- Only beverages served at meals
- Only non-caffeinated beverages
Correct answer: Water, juice, milk, and soup broth
All liquids consumed — including water, juice, milk, soups, gelatin, and ice cream — count toward a resident's fluid intake record.
GNA GNA - Geriatric Nursing Assistant Nutrition and Hydration 2
Which of the following is a sign of poor nutritional status the GNA should report?