NMBI Nutrition and Fluid Balance

Question 1

What is the recommended daily fluid intake for an average adult in good health?

Accepted Answer

2.0–2.5 litres

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Sodium

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Negative balance of 700 ml

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Decreased skin turgor

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Malnutrition risk

Answer

MUST is a validated five-step tool used across care settings in Ireland to identify adults at risk of malnutrition.

NMBI Practice Test