LPN Therapeutic Diets and Enteral Feedings 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with dysphagia is ordered a pureed diet. Which food item is appropriate to serve?
- Scrambled eggs with toast
- Mashed potatoes without lumps (Correct answer)
- Soft-cooked green beans
- Diced canned peaches
Correct answer: Mashed potatoes without lumps
Smooth mashed potatoes without lumps meet the pureed diet consistency requirement, which eliminates chewing and reduces aspiration risk.
Question 2: The LPN is preparing to administer enteral formula through a PEG tube. Which action helps prevent microbial contamination?
- Hang the formula bag for up to 24 hours
- Change the feeding bag and tubing every 24 hours per facility policy (Correct answer)
- Refrigerate unopened cans at room temperature
- Reuse the feeding bag after rinsing with water
Correct answer: Change the feeding bag and tubing every 24 hours per facility policy
Changing the feeding bag and tubing every 24 hours (or per facility policy) reduces the risk of bacterial contamination of enteral feedings.
Question 3: A patient with heart failure is prescribed a 2-gram sodium diet. The LPN understands this restriction primarily helps by:
- Reducing blood glucose levels
- Decreasing fluid retention and edema (Correct answer)
- Improving serum potassium levels
- Lowering LDL cholesterol
Correct answer: Decreasing fluid retention and edema
Sodium restriction limits fluid retention, reducing edema and the cardiac workload in patients with heart failure.
Question 4: Which position should a patient be maintained in during and after bolus tube feedings to prevent aspiration?
- Supine (flat)
- Head of bed elevated 30–45 degrees for at least 30–60 minutes after feeding (Correct answer)
- Left lateral (Sims) position
- Trendelenburg position
Correct answer: Head of bed elevated 30–45 degrees for at least 30–60 minutes after feeding
Elevating the head of bed 30–45 degrees during and for at least 30–60 minutes after tube feeding reduces the risk of aspiration.
Question 5: A patient is prescribed a high-fiber diet. Which instruction should the LPN include in the teaching?
- Limit fluid intake to 1000 mL per day
- Gradually increase fiber intake and drink adequate fluids daily (Correct answer)
- Eat only raw vegetables and avoid cooked foods
- Avoid whole grains and legumes
Correct answer: Gradually increase fiber intake and drink adequate fluids daily
Increasing fiber gradually while maintaining adequate fluid intake prevents constipation, bloating, and discomfort.
Question 6: Which finding in a patient receiving enteral nutrition requires IMMEDIATE reporting to the charge nurse?
- Mild thirst between feedings
- Abdominal distension with absent bowel sounds (Correct answer)
- Feeding rate running 5 mL/hr behind schedule
- Formula at room temperature
Correct answer: Abdominal distension with absent bowel sounds
Abdominal distension with absent bowel sounds suggests ileus or obstruction, which is a serious complication requiring immediate assessment.
Question 7: A patient with Type 2 diabetes is counseled about carbohydrate counting. The LPN explains that one carbohydrate serving equals:
- 5 grams of carbohydrate
- 15 grams of carbohydrate (Correct answer)
- 30 grams of carbohydrate
- 50 grams of carbohydrate
Correct answer: 15 grams of carbohydrate
One carbohydrate serving is defined as 15 grams of carbohydrate in the exchange system used for diabetic meal planning.
LPN Therapeutic Diets and Enteral Feedings 3
A patient with dysphagia is ordered a pureed diet.
Which food item is appropriate to serve?