LVN Nutrition & Diet Therapy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with celiac disease must avoid which protein?
- Casein
- Albumin
- Gluten (Correct answer)
- Whey
Correct answer: Gluten
Gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley, triggers an autoimmune response in the small intestine of patients with celiac disease.
Question 2: Which dietary approach is recommended for a patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes to manage blood glucose?
- High-protein, no-carbohydrate diet
- Consistent carbohydrate diet with controlled portions (Correct answer)
- High-fat, low-fiber diet
- Unlimited complex carbohydrates only
Correct answer: Consistent carbohydrate diet with controlled portions
A consistent carbohydrate diet with controlled portions helps stabilize postprandial blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.
Question 3: The LVN is caring for a patient with iron-deficiency anemia. Which food combination BEST enhances iron absorption?
- Beef steak with coffee
- Spinach with orange juice (Correct answer)
- Beans with milk
- Chicken with tea
Correct answer: Spinach with orange juice
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in orange juice enhances non-heme iron absorption from plant sources like spinach.
Question 4: A patient with congestive heart failure is placed on a 2-gram sodium diet. Which food should the patient AVOID?
- Fresh apple
- Canned soup (Correct answer)
- Boiled chicken breast
- Unsalted rice
Correct answer: Canned soup
Canned soups are typically very high in sodium, often containing 800–1,200 mg per serving, making them inappropriate for a 2-gram sodium restriction.
Question 5: Which nutrient is the body's preferred source of energy?
- Protein
- Fat
- Carbohydrates (Correct answer)
- Vitamins
Correct answer: Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the body's primary and most efficient fuel source, providing 4 kcal per gram and rapid conversion to glucose.
Question 6: A breastfeeding mother asks the LVN about calcium needs. The recommended daily calcium intake for a lactating woman is:
- 800 mg
- 1,000 mg (Correct answer)
- 1,500 mg
- 2,000 mg
Correct answer: 1,000 mg
The recommended dietary allowance for calcium in lactating women is 1,000 mg per day, the same as for non-pregnant adult women.
Question 7: Which complication is MOST associated with excessive vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy?
- Neural tube defects
- Fetal teratogenicity and birth defects (Correct answer)
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Gestational diabetes
Correct answer: Fetal teratogenicity and birth defects
Excessive vitamin A (especially preformed retinol) is teratogenic and can cause serious fetal abnormalities, particularly in the first trimester.
LVN Nutrition & Diet Therapy 3
A patient with celiac disease must avoid which protein?