HHA Nutrition and Hydration 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When recording a client's fluid intake, which of the following counts as a fluid?
- Crackers and dry bread
- Gelatin (Jell-O) and ice cream (Correct answer)
- Rice and pasta
- Hard-boiled eggs
Correct answer: Gelatin (Jell-O) and ice cream
Foods that are liquid at room temperature, such as gelatin and ice cream, count toward fluid intake records.
Question 2: An elderly client is not thirsty but the care plan requires 8 glasses of fluid daily. The HHA should:
- Skip fluids since the client is not thirsty
- Offer small amounts of fluid frequently throughout the day (Correct answer)
- Give all fluids at once with meals
- Report to the supervisor that the goal is unrealistic
Correct answer: Offer small amounts of fluid frequently throughout the day
Elderly clients often have a diminished sense of thirst, so the HHA should offer small amounts of fluid regularly throughout the day to meet hydration goals.
Question 3: Which type of diet restricts foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat?
- Low-residue diet
- Cardiac diet (Correct answer)
- Renal diet
- High-fiber diet
Correct answer: Cardiac diet
A cardiac diet limits cholesterol and saturated fats to support heart health and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Question 4: A client with dysphagia requires nectar-thick liquids. Which beverage requires thickening before serving?
- Tomato juice
- Chocolate pudding
- Plain water (Correct answer)
- Yogurt smoothie
Correct answer: Plain water
Plain water is thin and must be thickened to nectar consistency for clients with dysphagia to prevent aspiration.
Question 5: When feeding a client who has had a stroke and has weakness on the left side, food should be placed:
- On the left (weaker) side of the mouth
- On the right (stronger) side of the mouth (Correct answer)
- In the center of the tongue
- At the back of the throat to trigger swallowing
Correct answer: On the right (stronger) side of the mouth
Food should be placed on the stronger side of the mouth to improve chewing control and reduce aspiration risk.
Question 6: A renal (kidney) diet typically restricts which of the following?
- Vitamin C and iron
- Potassium, phosphorus, and sodium (Correct answer)
- Vitamin B12 and folate
- Simple carbohydrates and sugar
Correct answer: Potassium, phosphorus, and sodium
Renal diets restrict potassium, phosphorus, and sodium because impaired kidneys cannot adequately filter these electrolytes.
Question 7: The HHA notices a client has eaten less than 25% of meals for three days. The priority action is to:
- Increase portion sizes at the next meal
- Document and report this to the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Prepare only favorite foods going forward
- Encourage the client to eat faster
Correct answer: Document and report this to the supervisor
Consistently poor intake must be documented and reported to the supervisor so the care team can assess for underlying causes and intervene.
HHA Nutrition and Hydration 3
When recording a client's fluid intake, which of the following counts as a fluid?