Nutrition and Diet Therapy Flashcards
6 cards from real NACE 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 and Diet Therapy flashcards as text
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Which dietary modification is most appropriate for this patient?
Answer: Low-protein, low-potassium, low-phosphorus diet
CKD patients require restricted protein to reduce nitrogenous waste, restricted potassium to prevent hyperkalemia, and restricted phosphorus to prevent renal osteodystrophy. Sodium and fluid are also typically restricted.
A nurse is preparing to administer a tube feeding via nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action should be performed FIRST?
Answer: Verify tube placement by checking gastric pH and auscultating the abdomen
Verifying tube placement is the priority safety step before initiating any tube feeding to prevent aspiration. pH of gastric aspirate should be ≤5.5. This must happen before positioning or starting the feed.
Which laboratory value best reflects a patient's long-term nutritional status and protein stores?
Answer: Serum albumin
Serum albumin reflects protein stores over approximately 20 days and is used as a marker of chronic nutritional status. Low albumin indicates protein-calorie malnutrition. Prealbumin reflects shorter-term status, but albumin remains the classic long-term marker.
A patient with dumping syndrome following gastrectomy should be taught to:
Answer: Eat small, frequent meals low in simple sugars and lie down after eating
Dumping syndrome occurs when hyperosmolar food rapidly enters the small intestine. Management includes small frequent meals, avoiding simple sugars (which draw fluid into the gut), limiting fluids during meals, and lying down 30 minutes after eating to slow gastric emptying.
A nurse is counseling a patient on a low-sodium diet. Which food choice indicates the patient needs further teaching?
Answer: Canned vegetable soup
Canned soups are extremely high in sodium (often 800–1,200 mg per serving) and are a major source of hidden sodium. Fresh, unprocessed foods like chicken, vegetables, and fruit are naturally low in sodium.
A patient receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) develops sudden onset of chest pain, dyspnea, and decreased breath sounds on the left. The nurse should first suspect:
Answer: Pneumothorax from central line insertion
Pneumothorax is a known complication of central venous catheter insertion (required for TPN). Sudden chest pain, dyspnea, and unilateral absent breath sounds after line placement are classic signs. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.