NUR 1172/NUR1172 Exam 1 V2 |
Nutritional Principles in Nursing Q&A with
Rationale | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is calculating the calorie content of a snack containing 10 grams of carbohydrates,
5 grams of fat, and 4 grams of protein. What is the total kilocalorie count?
A. 101 kcal
B. 91 kcal
C. 115 kcal
D. 125 kcal
Answer: A
Rationale: Carbohydrates and proteins each provide 4 kilocalories per gram, while fats
provide 9 kilocalories per gram. For this snack, (10g x 4) + (5g x 9) + (4g x 4) equals 40 +
45 + 16, resulting in a total of 101 kcal. Understanding these values is fundamental for
accurate nutritional assessment and patient education regarding energy intake.
2. Which of the following macronutrients is the primary and preferred source of fuel for the
human brain and central nervous system?
A. Carbohydrates
B. Fats
C. Proteins
,D. Vitamins
Answer: A
Rationale: Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is the specific fuel required
by the brain for optimal cognitive function. While the body can use ketones from fats
during starvation, glucose remains the most efficient and preferred energy source.
Maintaining adequate carbohydrate intake prevents the breakdown of protein for energy
through a process called protein sparing.
3. A patient suffering from poor wound healing and bleeding gums is likely deficient in which
vitamin?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin K
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin C
Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, which is the structural
protein necessary for skin and tissue repair. A severe deficiency leads to scurvy,
characterized by fragile capillaries, delayed wound healing, and gum hemorrhages. Nurses
should encourage the consumption of citrus fruits and vegetables to ensure adequate levels
for surgical recovery.
, 4. When assessing a patient’s protein status, which laboratory value is considered the best
indicator of acute changes in nutritional status?
A. Serum Albumin
B. Serum Prealbumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen
Answer: B
Rationale: Prealbumin has a short half-life of approximately 2 days, making it highly
sensitive to recent changes in protein intake and metabolic stress. Serum albumin has a
much longer half-life of about 20 days and is better suited for assessing chronic nutritional
status rather than acute fluctuations. Monitoring prealbumin allows clinicians to evaluate
the effectiveness of nutritional interventions in real-time.
5. Which type of fat is considered ‘heart-healthy’ and should be emphasized in a diet to
reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?
A. Unsaturated fats
B. Trans fats
C. Saturated fats
D. Hydrogenated fats
Answer: A
Nutritional Principles in Nursing Q&A with
Rationale | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is calculating the calorie content of a snack containing 10 grams of carbohydrates,
5 grams of fat, and 4 grams of protein. What is the total kilocalorie count?
A. 101 kcal
B. 91 kcal
C. 115 kcal
D. 125 kcal
Answer: A
Rationale: Carbohydrates and proteins each provide 4 kilocalories per gram, while fats
provide 9 kilocalories per gram. For this snack, (10g x 4) + (5g x 9) + (4g x 4) equals 40 +
45 + 16, resulting in a total of 101 kcal. Understanding these values is fundamental for
accurate nutritional assessment and patient education regarding energy intake.
2. Which of the following macronutrients is the primary and preferred source of fuel for the
human brain and central nervous system?
A. Carbohydrates
B. Fats
C. Proteins
,D. Vitamins
Answer: A
Rationale: Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is the specific fuel required
by the brain for optimal cognitive function. While the body can use ketones from fats
during starvation, glucose remains the most efficient and preferred energy source.
Maintaining adequate carbohydrate intake prevents the breakdown of protein for energy
through a process called protein sparing.
3. A patient suffering from poor wound healing and bleeding gums is likely deficient in which
vitamin?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin K
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin C
Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, which is the structural
protein necessary for skin and tissue repair. A severe deficiency leads to scurvy,
characterized by fragile capillaries, delayed wound healing, and gum hemorrhages. Nurses
should encourage the consumption of citrus fruits and vegetables to ensure adequate levels
for surgical recovery.
, 4. When assessing a patient’s protein status, which laboratory value is considered the best
indicator of acute changes in nutritional status?
A. Serum Albumin
B. Serum Prealbumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen
Answer: B
Rationale: Prealbumin has a short half-life of approximately 2 days, making it highly
sensitive to recent changes in protein intake and metabolic stress. Serum albumin has a
much longer half-life of about 20 days and is better suited for assessing chronic nutritional
status rather than acute fluctuations. Monitoring prealbumin allows clinicians to evaluate
the effectiveness of nutritional interventions in real-time.
5. Which type of fat is considered ‘heart-healthy’ and should be emphasized in a diet to
reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?
A. Unsaturated fats
B. Trans fats
C. Saturated fats
D. Hydrogenated fats
Answer: A
