Nutrition Assessment & Client Evaluation Flashcards

When using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan as a reference method for body composition, which compartment model does it primarily measure?

Answer: Three-compartment model (fat, bone, soft tissue)

DEXA partitions body mass into fat mass, bone mineral content, and lean soft tissue, making it a three-compartment model.

A client reports feeling fatigued and experiencing cold intolerance. As part of a comprehensive nutrition assessment, the MOST relevant biochemical marker to request would be:

Answer: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Fatigue and cold intolerance are hallmark symptoms of hypothyroidism; TSH is the primary screening test for thyroid dysfunction.

Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a nutrition-focused physical exam (NFPE)?

Answer: To identify clinical signs and symptoms of malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies

NFPE uses observable physical signs—such as hair loss, skin changes, or muscle wasting—to detect possible malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.

A sports nutrition client has a resting metabolic rate (RMR) of 1,800 kcal/day and trains for 2 hours daily at a moderate intensity. Using an activity factor of 1.6, what is the estimated total daily energy expenditure (TDEE)?

Answer: 2,880 kcal

TDEE = RMR × activity factor = 1,800 × 1.6 = 2,880 kcal/day.

In a dietary assessment, systematic underreporting of food intake is MOST commonly associated with which client population?

Answer: Individuals with overweight or obesity

Research consistently shows that individuals with overweight or obesity underreport energy intake by a greater margin than normal-weight individuals, often due to social desirability bias.

The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) step that immediately follows nutrition assessment is:

Answer: Nutrition diagnosis

The NCP sequence is: Assessment → Diagnosis → Intervention → Monitoring and Evaluation; diagnosis follows assessment.

A client's food frequency questionnaire reveals high consumption of cruciferous vegetables. Which micronutrient interaction should the ISSA nutritionist flag as a potential concern for a client on anticoagulant therapy?

Answer: Vitamin K interfering with warfarin effectiveness

Cruciferous vegetables are rich in vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin and can alter anticoagulation control if intake is inconsistent.