NMBI Nutrition and Fluid Balance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended daily fluid intake for an average adult in good health?
- 1.0–1.5 litres
- 1.5–2.0 litres
- 2.0–2.5 litres (Correct answer)
- 3.0–3.5 litres
Correct answer: 2.0–2.5 litres
Most adults require approximately 2.0–2.5 litres of fluid per day to maintain adequate hydration and organ function.
Question 2: Which electrolyte plays the PRIMARY role in regulating extracellular fluid volume?
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Sodium (Correct answer)
- Magnesium
Correct answer: Sodium
Sodium is the principal extracellular cation and is the main determinant of extracellular fluid volume and osmolality.
Question 3: A patient's fluid balance chart shows an input of 2,400 ml and an output of 3,100 ml over 24 hours. How would you document this?
- Positive balance of 700 ml
- Negative balance of 700 ml (Correct answer)
- Positive balance of 3,100 ml
- Neutral balance
Correct answer: Negative balance of 700 ml
When output exceeds input, the patient has a negative fluid balance; here output exceeds input by 700 ml.
Question 4: Which clinical sign is MOST indicative of moderate dehydration in an adult patient?
- Bradycardia
- Decreased skin turgor (Correct answer)
- Hypertension
- Bounding pulse
Correct answer: Decreased skin turgor
Decreased skin turgor (the skin tents when pinched) is a classic sign of moderate dehydration as fluid is lost from the interstitial space.
Question 5: The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) is used in Irish healthcare to screen for which condition?
- Obesity
- Malnutrition risk (Correct answer)
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Vitamin D deficiency
Correct answer: Malnutrition risk
MUST is a validated five-step tool used across care settings in Ireland to identify adults at risk of malnutrition.
Question 6: Which type of nutritional support delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract?
- Enteral nutrition
- Nasogastric feeding
- Total parenteral nutrition (Correct answer)
- Oral supplementation
Correct answer: Total parenteral nutrition
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) delivers all required nutrients intravenously, bypassing the gut entirely.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a patient with hyponatraemia. Which serum sodium level confirms this diagnosis?
- Below 135 mmol/L (Correct answer)
- Below 145 mmol/L
- Above 145 mmol/L
- Above 135 mmol/L
Correct answer: Below 135 mmol/L
Hyponatraemia is defined as a serum sodium level below 135 mmol/L, the lower limit of the normal range.
NMBI Nutrition and Fluid Balance 1
What is the recommended daily fluid intake for an average adult in good health?