HCA Nutrition and Hydration 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which vitamin is primarily obtained through sunlight exposure and is essential for calcium absorption?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Vitamin D
Vitamin D is synthesized by the skin in response to sunlight and is critical for the absorption of calcium to maintain bone health.
Question 2: A client on a high-fiber diet should increase their intake of which foods?
- White bread, cheese, and eggs
- Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables (Correct answer)
- Red meat, butter, and dairy
- Refined pasta, white rice, and crackers
Correct answer: Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
High-fiber foods include whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables, which promote bowel regularity and digestive health.
Question 3: When feeding a client who has had a stroke and has weakness on one side, the HCA should place food:
- On the weaker side of the mouth
- On the stronger side of the mouth (Correct answer)
- In the center of the mouth equally
- At the back of the throat to trigger swallowing
Correct answer: On the stronger side of the mouth
Placing food on the stronger side of the mouth helps the client chew and swallow more safely and effectively.
Question 4: A client's care plan notes NPO status. This means the HCA should:
- Offer only clear liquids like water and broth
- Withhold all food and fluids by mouth (Correct answer)
- Provide soft foods and thickened liquids only
- Limit intake to 500 mL of fluids per shift
Correct answer: Withhold all food and fluids by mouth
NPO (nil per os) means nothing by mouth — no food, fluids, or medications taken orally unless specified otherwise.
Question 5: Protein is important in the diet of elderly clients primarily because it:
- Prevents dehydration by retaining water
- Supports tissue repair and maintains muscle mass (Correct answer)
- Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
- Provides quick energy between meals
Correct answer: Supports tissue repair and maintains muscle mass
Adequate protein intake supports wound healing, immune function, and preservation of muscle mass, which naturally decreases with aging.
Question 6: A client says they feel nauseated and refuses to eat. The FIRST action the HCA should take is:
- Encourage the client to eat at least half the meal
- Bring a different food the client prefers
- Report the complaint to the supervising nurse (Correct answer)
- Document the refusal and say nothing to the nurse
Correct answer: Report the complaint to the supervising nurse
Nausea may indicate a change in the client's condition; the HCA must report it to the nurse before taking any further action.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of an invisible fluid that counts toward a client's daily fluid intake?
- Coffee
- Gelatin (Jell-O) (Correct answer)
- Milk
- Juice
Correct answer: Gelatin (Jell-O)
Gelatin is liquid at body temperature and is counted as an invisible fluid in fluid intake tracking, along with ice cream and pudding.
HCA Nutrition and Hydration 3
Which vitamin is primarily obtained through sunlight exposure and is essential for calcium absorption?