STNA Nutrition and Hydration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident has a dysphagia diagnosis. Which position is safest during feeding?
- Lying flat on the back (supine)
- Semi-reclined at 30 degrees
- Sitting upright at 90 degrees or as upright as possible (Correct answer)
- Turned to the side in bed
Correct answer: Sitting upright at 90 degrees or as upright as possible
An upright 90-degree position uses gravity to help food move down the esophagus safely and reduces aspiration risk.
Question 2: After feeding a resident with swallowing difficulties, the nurse aide should keep the resident in an upright position for at least:
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes
- 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- 2 hours
Correct answer: 30 minutes
Keeping the resident upright for at least 30 minutes after eating helps prevent aspiration of stomach contents.
Question 3: A resident's care plan indicates a mechanically altered (chopped) diet. What does this mean?
- The resident receives only liquid nutrition
- Food is finely chopped or minced to ease chewing and swallowing (Correct answer)
- The resident eats only pureed foods with no texture
- The resident has no dietary restrictions
Correct answer: Food is finely chopped or minced to ease chewing and swallowing
A mechanically altered diet modifies food texture — chopped or minced — to make chewing easier while retaining some texture.
Question 4: Which of the following is a sign of aspiration during feeding?
- Resident asks for more food
- Coughing, choking, or a wet/gurgly voice after swallowing (Correct answer)
- Resident eats slowly but finishes the meal
- Resident requests thicker beverages
Correct answer: Coughing, choking, or a wet/gurgly voice after swallowing
Coughing, choking, or a wet voice after swallowing are warning signs that food or liquid may have entered the airway.
Question 5: A nurse aide notices a resident's meal tray contains a food item not consistent with the ordered diet. What should the nurse aide do?
- Serve the tray as delivered since dietary prepared it
- Remove the incorrect item and serve the rest
- Report the discrepancy to the nurse before serving the tray (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident if they want to eat the incorrect item
Correct answer: Report the discrepancy to the nurse before serving the tray
The nurse aide must verify diet accuracy before serving; reporting the discrepancy ensures resident safety and correct nutrition delivery.
Question 6: A resident with diabetes consistently leaves dessert uneaten. What is the best action for the nurse aide?
- Encourage the resident to eat dessert for calories
- Document and report the pattern to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Ignore it as dessert is optional
- Substitute a high-sugar snack later
Correct answer: Document and report the pattern to the nurse
Consistent changes in eating patterns in a diabetic resident can affect blood sugar control and should be reported and documented.
Question 7: How many ounces are in one cup when measuring fluid intake?
- 4 ounces
- 6 ounces
- 8 ounces (Correct answer)
- 12 ounces
Correct answer: 8 ounces
One cup equals 8 fluid ounces, which is the standard measurement used when documenting fluid intake.
STNA Nutrition and Hydration 2
A resident has a dysphagia diagnosis.
Which position is safest during feeding?