NTR 454/554 – EXAM 2 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS |
COMPLETE EXAM 2026/2027 | PASS GUARANTEE
Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy / Clinical Nutrition
Q1: What is the recommended daily sodium intake for patients with
hypertension?
ANSWER <2,300 mg/day; ideally <1,500 mg/day for optimal blood
pressure control.
Q2: Which lipid profile is characteristic of metabolic syndrome?
ANSWER Elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL), low HDL (<40 mg/dL
men, <50 mg/dL women), elevated LDL, and elevated total cholesterol.
Q3: What is the DASH diet's primary macronutrient distribution?
ANSWER Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy,
lean protein; approximately 50-55% carbs, 15-20% protein, 30% fat (low
saturated fat).
Q4: What dietary modification is most effective for lowering LDL
cholesterol?
ANSWER Reducing saturated fat to <7% of calories and eliminating
trans fats; adding soluble fiber (10-25g/day) and plant sterols (2g/day).
Q5: How does soluble fiber lower cholesterol?
ANSWER It binds bile acids in the intestine, increasing excretion and
forcing the liver to use cholesterol to synthesize new bile acids.
,Q6: What is the therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) diet recommendation
for total fat intake?
ANSWER 25-35% of total calories from fat, with <7% from saturated fat
and minimal trans fat.
Q7: What omega-3 fatty acid dosage is recommended for triglyceride
lowering?
ANSWER 2-4 g/day of EPA+DHA can lower triglycerides by 20-50%;
higher doses require medical supervision.
Q8: What is the role of niacin in dyslipidemia management?
ANSWER Niacin (vitamin B3) at pharmacologic doses (1-3 g/day)
raises HDL, lowers triglycerides, and modestly lowers LDL; causes
flushing.
Q9: What dietary factor most significantly raises HDL cholesterol?
ANSWER Regular physical exercise, moderate alcohol consumption
(not recommended as therapy), and weight loss if overweight.
Q10: What is the Mediterranean diet's effect on cardiovascular risk?
ANSWER Reduces CVD risk by 20-30% through high monounsaturated
fat (olive oil), omega-3s, antioxidants, and low saturated fat.
Q11: What is the recommended protein intake for heart failure patients?
ANSWER 1.1-1.4 g/kg/day to prevent cardiac cachexia; higher if
malnourished or during acute exacerbations.
Q12: Why is fluid restriction important in severe heart failure?
,ANSWER The failing heart cannot pump excess fluid, leading to
pulmonary edema and peripheral edema; typically restricted to 1.5-2
L/day in severe cases.
Q13: What is cardiac cachexia?
ANSWER Unintentional weight loss >6% in 6 months or BMI <20 with
muscle wasting in heart failure; associated with poor prognosis.
Q14: What is the sodium restriction for NYHA Class III-IV heart failure?
ANSWER <2,000 mg/day sodium; sometimes <1,500 mg/day with
severe fluid retention.
Q15: Which nutrient deficiency is common in patients taking loop
diuretics?
ANSWER Potassium, magnesium, thiamin (B1), and calcium
deficiencies are common due to increased urinary losses.
Q16: What is the relationship between homocysteine and cardiovascular
disease?
ANSWER Elevated homocysteine is an independent risk factor for CVD;
lowered by folate, B12, and B6 supplementation, though
supplementation doesn't reduce CVD events.
Q17: What is the effect of plant sterols/stanols on cholesterol
absorption?
ANSWER They compete with cholesterol for micelle formation in the
intestine, blocking absorption; 2 g/day lowers LDL by 6-15%.
Q18: What is the ATP III classification for total cholesterol >240 mg/dL?
, ANSWER High blood cholesterol (≥240 mg/dL = high; 200-239 =
borderline high; <200 = desirable).
Q19: What dietary source provides the most concentrated form of EPA
and DHA?
ANSWER Fatty cold-water fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring);
algae for vegetarians.
Q20: What is the mechanism of statin drugs in cholesterol
management?
ANSWER Inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in
cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Q21: How does obesity contribute to hypertension?
ANSWER Increased blood volume, elevated cardiac output, insulin
resistance, activation of SNS and RAAS, and increased sodium
retention.
Q22: What is the DASH-Sodium study finding?
ANSWER Lower sodium intake (1,500 mg vs 2,300 mg vs 3,300 mg)
progressively lowered blood pressure, especially in those with
hypertension.
Q23: What is the recommended potassium intake for hypertension
management?
ANSWER 3,500-5,000 mg/day through diet (fruits, vegetables, dairy)
unless contraindicated by renal disease or potassium-sparing
medications.
Q24: What is the ' Portfolio Diet' approach to lowering cholesterol?
COMPLETE EXAM 2026/2027 | PASS GUARANTEE
Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy / Clinical Nutrition
Q1: What is the recommended daily sodium intake for patients with
hypertension?
ANSWER <2,300 mg/day; ideally <1,500 mg/day for optimal blood
pressure control.
Q2: Which lipid profile is characteristic of metabolic syndrome?
ANSWER Elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL), low HDL (<40 mg/dL
men, <50 mg/dL women), elevated LDL, and elevated total cholesterol.
Q3: What is the DASH diet's primary macronutrient distribution?
ANSWER Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy,
lean protein; approximately 50-55% carbs, 15-20% protein, 30% fat (low
saturated fat).
Q4: What dietary modification is most effective for lowering LDL
cholesterol?
ANSWER Reducing saturated fat to <7% of calories and eliminating
trans fats; adding soluble fiber (10-25g/day) and plant sterols (2g/day).
Q5: How does soluble fiber lower cholesterol?
ANSWER It binds bile acids in the intestine, increasing excretion and
forcing the liver to use cholesterol to synthesize new bile acids.
,Q6: What is the therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) diet recommendation
for total fat intake?
ANSWER 25-35% of total calories from fat, with <7% from saturated fat
and minimal trans fat.
Q7: What omega-3 fatty acid dosage is recommended for triglyceride
lowering?
ANSWER 2-4 g/day of EPA+DHA can lower triglycerides by 20-50%;
higher doses require medical supervision.
Q8: What is the role of niacin in dyslipidemia management?
ANSWER Niacin (vitamin B3) at pharmacologic doses (1-3 g/day)
raises HDL, lowers triglycerides, and modestly lowers LDL; causes
flushing.
Q9: What dietary factor most significantly raises HDL cholesterol?
ANSWER Regular physical exercise, moderate alcohol consumption
(not recommended as therapy), and weight loss if overweight.
Q10: What is the Mediterranean diet's effect on cardiovascular risk?
ANSWER Reduces CVD risk by 20-30% through high monounsaturated
fat (olive oil), omega-3s, antioxidants, and low saturated fat.
Q11: What is the recommended protein intake for heart failure patients?
ANSWER 1.1-1.4 g/kg/day to prevent cardiac cachexia; higher if
malnourished or during acute exacerbations.
Q12: Why is fluid restriction important in severe heart failure?
,ANSWER The failing heart cannot pump excess fluid, leading to
pulmonary edema and peripheral edema; typically restricted to 1.5-2
L/day in severe cases.
Q13: What is cardiac cachexia?
ANSWER Unintentional weight loss >6% in 6 months or BMI <20 with
muscle wasting in heart failure; associated with poor prognosis.
Q14: What is the sodium restriction for NYHA Class III-IV heart failure?
ANSWER <2,000 mg/day sodium; sometimes <1,500 mg/day with
severe fluid retention.
Q15: Which nutrient deficiency is common in patients taking loop
diuretics?
ANSWER Potassium, magnesium, thiamin (B1), and calcium
deficiencies are common due to increased urinary losses.
Q16: What is the relationship between homocysteine and cardiovascular
disease?
ANSWER Elevated homocysteine is an independent risk factor for CVD;
lowered by folate, B12, and B6 supplementation, though
supplementation doesn't reduce CVD events.
Q17: What is the effect of plant sterols/stanols on cholesterol
absorption?
ANSWER They compete with cholesterol for micelle formation in the
intestine, blocking absorption; 2 g/day lowers LDL by 6-15%.
Q18: What is the ATP III classification for total cholesterol >240 mg/dL?
, ANSWER High blood cholesterol (≥240 mg/dL = high; 200-239 =
borderline high; <200 = desirable).
Q19: What dietary source provides the most concentrated form of EPA
and DHA?
ANSWER Fatty cold-water fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring);
algae for vegetarians.
Q20: What is the mechanism of statin drugs in cholesterol
management?
ANSWER Inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in
cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Q21: How does obesity contribute to hypertension?
ANSWER Increased blood volume, elevated cardiac output, insulin
resistance, activation of SNS and RAAS, and increased sodium
retention.
Q22: What is the DASH-Sodium study finding?
ANSWER Lower sodium intake (1,500 mg vs 2,300 mg vs 3,300 mg)
progressively lowered blood pressure, especially in those with
hypertension.
Q23: What is the recommended potassium intake for hypertension
management?
ANSWER 3,500-5,000 mg/day through diet (fruits, vegetables, dairy)
unless contraindicated by renal disease or potassium-sparing
medications.
Q24: What is the ' Portfolio Diet' approach to lowering cholesterol?