Healthcare and Nursing Nutrition & Dietary Management in Healthcare 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the BEST indicator of a patient's long-term nutritional status?
- Daily weight
- Serum albumin level (Correct answer)
- 24-hour dietary recall
- Body mass index (BMI)
Correct answer: Serum albumin level
Serum albumin reflects protein stores over 2–3 weeks and is a reliable indicator of long-term nutritional status, though it can be affected by inflammation.
Question 2: A breastfeeding mother asks which nutrient she should ensure adequate intake of to support her infant's brain development. The nurse should prioritize:
- Iron
- Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) (Correct answer)
- Vitamin K
- Zinc
Correct answer: Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA)
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid, is critical for infant brain and retinal development and is passed through breast milk.
Question 3: Which vitamin requires intrinsic factor for absorption and, when deficient, leads to megaloblastic anemia?
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) (Correct answer)
- Folate (B9)
- Thiamine (B1)
Correct answer: Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 requires intrinsic factor produced by gastric parietal cells for absorption; its deficiency causes megaloblastic (pernicious) anemia.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching a patient with iron-deficiency anemia about dietary sources of non-heme iron. Which food combination BEST enhances non-heme iron absorption?
- Spinach with milk
- Lentils with orange juice (Correct answer)
- Eggs with cheese
- Whole grain bread with tea
Correct answer: Lentils with orange juice
Vitamin C in orange juice significantly enhances the absorption of non-heme iron from plant sources like lentils.
Question 5: A patient with dysphagia following a stroke is ordered a nectar-thick liquid diet. Which of the following is appropriate to offer?
- Plain water
- Thin orange juice
- Commercially thickened apple juice (Correct answer)
- Regular milk
Correct answer: Commercially thickened apple juice
Nectar-thick liquids have a specific viscosity that reduces aspiration risk; commercially thickened apple juice meets this consistency requirement.
Question 6: Which macronutrient provides the most calories per gram?
- Carbohydrates
- Protein
- Fat (Correct answer)
- Fiber
Correct answer: Fat
Fat provides 9 calories per gram, compared to 4 calories per gram for both carbohydrates and protein.
Healthcare and Nursing Nutrition & Dietary Management in Healthcare 2
Which of the following is the BEST indicator of a patient's long-term nutritional status?