Nutrition & Dietary Management Flashcards
6 cards from real Healthcare and Nursing practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Nutrition & Dietary Management flashcards as text
Which laboratory value is the best indicator of a patient's long-term nutritional status?
Answer: Albumin
Albumin, with a half-life of about 20 days, reflects protein stores over weeks and is a reliable marker of chronic nutritional status.
A patient is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which complication should the nurse monitor for most closely?
Answer: Hyperglycemia
TPN solutions are high in dextrose, placing patients at significant risk for hyperglycemia, which requires frequent blood glucose monitoring.
Which mineral is essential for wound healing and immune function, and is often deficient in elderly hospitalized patients?
Answer: Zinc
Zinc plays a critical role in collagen synthesis and immune cell proliferation, making it essential for wound healing and fighting infection.
What is the recommended daily protein intake (per kg of body weight) for a critically ill patient to prevent catabolism?
Answer: 1.2–2.0 g/kg
Critical illness increases catabolism, so ASPEN guidelines recommend 1.2–2.0 g/kg/day of protein to preserve lean muscle mass.
A nurse is assessing a patient for malnutrition. Which finding is most consistent with protein-calorie malnutrition?
Answer: Peripheral edema and muscle wasting
Hypoalbuminemia from protein deficiency causes decreased oncotic pressure, resulting in peripheral edema, while caloric deficit causes muscle wasting.
Which diet modification is recommended for a patient with newly diagnosed celiac disease?
Answer: Gluten-free diet
Celiac disease is an autoimmune reaction triggered by gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye); a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment.