HCA Nutrition and Hydration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client on a low-sodium diet asks for ketchup with their meal. What is the BEST response?
- Provide it since ketchup has very little sodium
- Explain that ketchup is high in sodium and offer an approved alternative (Correct answer)
- Allow it just this once since one serving won't hurt
- Ask the client's family before deciding
Correct answer: Explain that ketchup is high in sodium and offer an approved alternative
Ketchup is high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-sodium diet; the HCA should explain this and offer an approved condiment.
Question 2: Which sign indicates a client may be experiencing dehydration?
- Frequent urination with clear urine
- Dark yellow urine and dry mouth (Correct answer)
- Swollen ankles and weight gain
- Increased appetite and restlessness
Correct answer: Dark yellow urine and dry mouth
Dark yellow urine and dry mouth are classic early signs of dehydration that an HCA should recognize and report.
Question 3: A resident with dysphagia is on a pureed diet. The HCA notices the kitchen sent regular scrambled eggs. What should the HCA do?
- Mash the eggs with a fork and serve them
- Return the tray and request the correct pureed texture (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident if they want to try eating it anyway
- Add water to soften the eggs before serving
Correct answer: Return the tray and request the correct pureed texture
Modified texture diets are prescribed for safety; serving the wrong texture risks aspiration and the HCA must return the incorrect tray.
Question 4: How many ounces are in one cup of fluid when tracking a client's intake and output?
- 4 ounces
- 6 ounces
- 8 ounces (Correct answer)
- 10 ounces
Correct answer: 8 ounces
One cup equals 8 fluid ounces, a standard conversion used when documenting intake and output records.
Question 5: A client with diabetes has an evening snack of crackers and cheese on their meal plan. They refuse it and say they are not hungry. What should the HCA do?
- Respect their choice and chart that the snack was refused (Correct answer)
- Insist they eat the snack because it is medically necessary
- Replace it with a sweet treat they prefer
- Skip documenting since they did not eat anything
Correct answer: Respect their choice and chart that the snack was refused
The HCA must respect client autonomy, document the refusal, and report it to the nurse so blood sugar can be monitored.
Question 6: Which nutrient is the body's primary and preferred source of energy?
- Protein
- Fat
- Carbohydrates (Correct answer)
- Vitamins
Correct answer: Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is the body's primary fuel source for cells and the brain.
Question 7: A client's fluid intake must be restricted to 1,000 mL per day. By noon the client has consumed 600 mL. How much fluid is allowed for the rest of the day?
- 200 mL
- 400 mL (Correct answer)
- 500 mL
- 600 mL
Correct answer: 400 mL
1,000 mL minus 600 mL already consumed leaves 400 mL remaining for the rest of the day.
HCA Nutrition and Hydration 2
A client on a low-sodium diet asks for ketchup with their meal.
What is the BEST response?