FREE NSC Clinical Knowledge Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following clinical factors in an acute care hospital is LEAST likely to be a sign of a patient who is nutritionally at risk?

Accepted Answer

Intentional weight loss of 15% over a 6-month period in an obese individual

Answer

Intentional weight loss in an obese individual, especially when medically supervised, is often a positive health intervention aimed at improving health outcomes. In contrast, unplanned weight loss, extensive surgical resections, or prolonged inadequate nutrition are strong indicators of nutritional risk due to underlying disease, malabsorption, or insufficient intake, making them more concerning in an acute care setting.

Question 2

In an ICU situation, which of the following anthropometric techniques is LEAST helpful for assessing nutrition?

Accepted Answer

Triceps skinfold

Answer

In an ICU setting, triceps skinfold measurements are often unreliable for assessing nutrition due to significant fluid shifts (edema) and the difficulty in obtaining accurate, consistent measurements on critically ill patients. These factors can lead to misleading results, making other anthropometric techniques or clinical assessments more practical and helpful in this acute care environment.

Question 3

Scaly, dry skin may be an indicator of malnutrition when conducting a physical examination that focuses on nutrition.

Accepted Answer

Essential fatty acid deficiency

Answer

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are crucial for maintaining the integrity and function of skin cell membranes and the skin's barrier function. A deficiency in EFAs, particularly linoleic acid, can lead to impaired skin health, manifesting as characteristic symptoms like scaly, dry, and flaky skin, often accompanied by dermatitis.

Question 4

Which of the following drugs has the lowest potential to make you gain weight?

Accepted Answer

Wellbutrin

Answer

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is an antidepressant that is generally associated with weight loss or weight neutrality, unlike many other antidepressants which can cause weight gain. Its mechanism of action, involving norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibition, contributes to this different side effect profile regarding weight. Therefore, it has the lowest potential to cause weight gain among the listed options.

Question 5

The LEAST reliable marker to utilize when determining malnutrition in a critically unwell patient would be

Accepted Answer

Serum albumin of 2.5 g/dL

Answer

While a low serum albumin level (e.g., 2.5 g/dL) can be associated with malnutrition, it is also significantly affected by inflammation, hydration status, and liver disease, especially in critically ill patients. Therefore, it is considered a poor and unreliable indicator of acute malnutrition in this population. Other factors like significant unplanned weight loss, very low BMI, and poor wound healing are more reliable markers of nutritional compromise.

NSC Practice Test

NSC Practice Test

FREE NSC Clinical Knowledge Questions and Answers