Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Registered Dietetic Technician Practice 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under HIPAA, a DTR may share a patient's dietary information without written authorization in which scenario?
- Treatment coordination with another member of the care team (Correct answer)
- Providing information to a patient's employer
- Responding to a media inquiry about the patient
- Disclosing records to the patient's adult child without the patient's consent
Correct answer: Treatment coordination with another member of the care team
HIPAA permits disclosure of protected health information for treatment purposes among healthcare providers without additional authorization.
Question 2: A DTR is assessing a client's readiness to change dietary behavior using the Transtheoretical Model. The client says, 'I've been eating more vegetables every day for the past two months.' Which stage is the client in?
- Action (Correct answer)
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Maintenance
Correct answer: Action
The Action stage involves actively making behavior changes that have been ongoing for less than six months.
Question 3: Which thickening agent is classified as a starch-based thickener and is most commonly used in dysphagia management?
- Modified food starch (Correct answer)
- Xanthan gum
- Gelatin
- Agar-agar
Correct answer: Modified food starch
Modified food starch is a starch-based thickener widely used for dysphagia, though it can thin over time unlike gum-based thickeners.
Question 4: A DTR reviewing food cost records finds that the actual food cost percentage is 38%, while the budgeted target is 32%. What is the most appropriate first step?
- Analyze production records and purchasing invoices for waste or pricing issues (Correct answer)
- Immediately reduce portion sizes without consulting the RD
- Notify the state health department
- Replace all menu items with less expensive alternatives
Correct answer: Analyze production records and purchasing invoices for waste or pricing issues
Investigating production records and invoices helps identify root causes such as over-purchasing, waste, or price increases before action is taken.
Question 5: Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with refeeding syndrome when initiating nutrition support in a severely malnourished patient?
- Hypophosphatemia (Correct answer)
- Hypernatremia
- Hypercalcemia
- Hyperkalemia
Correct answer: Hypophosphatemia
Refeeding syndrome is characterized by a rapid drop in serum phosphorus as cells shift to anabolic metabolism upon carbohydrate provision.
Question 6: A DTR is completing a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE). Temporal wasting (hollowing of the temples) is most indicative of loss of which tissue?
- Muscle mass (Correct answer)
- Subcutaneous fat
- Visceral fat
- Bone density
Correct answer: Muscle mass
Temporal wasting reflects loss of the temporalis muscle, indicating significant skeletal muscle depletion.
Question 7: A DTR is planning a community nutrition program for older adults to prevent osteoporosis. Which nutrient pairing should be emphasized for optimal bone health?
- Calcium and Vitamin D (Correct answer)
- Iron and Vitamin C
- Zinc and Vitamin A
- Magnesium and Vitamin K only
Correct answer: Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium provides the mineral matrix of bone while Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Registered Dietetic Technician Practice 5
Under HIPAA, a DTR may share a patient's dietary information without written authorization in which scenario?