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NURS 3209 NUTRITION AND ELIMINATION
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE
(100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 3209 Nutrition and Elimination Exam with a focused study
resource designed to reinforce essential nursing concepts related to nutritional status
and elimination. It supports review of nutritional assessment, therapeutic diets,
enteral and parenteral nutrition, fluid and electrolyte balance, bowel and bladder
elimination disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and nursing interventions related to
nutrition and elimination. This resource is best suited for NURS 3209 nursing students
and healthcare learners preparing for nutrition and elimination assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT & BASICS (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's nutritional status. Which of the
following is the most reliable indicator of long-term nutritional status?
a) Height and weight
b) Body mass index (BMI)
c) Serum albumin
d) Waist circumference
Answer: c) Serum albumin
Rationale: Serum albumin is a reliable indicator of long-term nutritional
status because it has a half-life of approximately 18-20 days. Prealbumin is a
more sensitive indicator of acute changes. BMI and weight are important but
can be influenced by fluid status and other factors.
2. A patient has a BMI of 32 kg/m². The nurse should classify this patient
as:
a) Underweight
b) Normal weight
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c) Overweight
d) Obese
Answer: d) Obese
Rationale: BMI classifications:
• Underweight: <18.5
• Normal weight: 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: 25-29.9
• Obese: ≥30
A BMI of 32 falls into the Obese category (Class I obesity: 30-34.9).
3. A patient is 5 feet 6 inches tall (66 inches) and weighs 160 pounds. What
is the patient's BMI?
a) 22.5
b) 24.2
c) 25.8
d) 27.1
Answer: c) 25.8
Rationale: BMI = weight (lb) / [height (in)]² × 703.
66 inches × 66 inches = 4356.
160 × 703 = 112,480.
112,480 ÷ 4356 = 25.8. BMI = 25.8 (Overweight).
4. A patient is prescribed a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items
can the patient have?
a) Milk
b) Orange juice with pulp
c) Chicken broth
d) Cream of wheat
Answer: c) Chicken broth
Rationale: A clear liquid diet includes liquids that are transparent at room
temperature, such as broth, clear juices (apple, cranberry, grape), gelatin, and
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ice pops. Milk, juice with pulp, and cream of wheat are not allowed on a clear
liquid diet.
5. A patient is prescribed a full liquid diet. Which of the following items
can the patient have?
a) Ice chips
b) Cream of wheat
c) Clear broth
d) Gelatin
Answer: b) Cream of wheat
Rationale: A full liquid diet includes liquids that are liquid at room
temperature, such as cream soups, milk, pudding, custard, and cream of
wheat. Clear liquids (broth, gelatin, ice chips) are allowed on a clear liquid
diet but are also included in full liquid.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food
should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) Fresh apple
b) Grilled chicken
c) Canned soup
d) Steamed broccoli
Answer: c) Canned soup
Rationale: Canned soups are typically high in sodium and should be avoided
on a low-sodium diet. Fresh fruits, grilled chicken, and steamed vegetables
are lower in sodium.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-fiber diet. Which food should
the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) White bread
b) Peanut butter
c) Canned fruit
d) Broccoli
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Answer: d) Broccoli
Rationale: Broccoli is a high-fiber food and should be avoided on a low-fiber
diet. White bread, peanut butter, and canned fruit (without skin) are low-fiber
options.
8. A patient is prescribed a low-purine diet for gout. Which food should the
nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) Rice
b) Organ meats (liver, kidney)
c) Pasta
d) Cheese
Answer: b) Organ meats (liver, kidney)
Rationale: A low-purine diet restricts organ meats (liver, kidney,
sweetbreads), anchovies, sardines, and shellfish. Rice, pasta, and cheese are
low in purines.
9. A patient is prescribed a low-potassium diet for chronic kidney disease.
Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) Apples
b) Bananas
c) White rice
d) Green beans
Answer: b) Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided on a low-
potassium diet. Other high-potassium foods include oranges, potatoes,
tomatoes, and avocados. White rice, apples, and green beans are lower in
potassium.
10. A patient is prescribed a low-phosphorus diet for chronic kidney
disease. Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) Apples
b) Dairy products (milk, cheese)
NURS 3209 NUTRITION AND ELIMINATION
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE
(100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NURS
Prepare for the NURS 3209 Nutrition and Elimination Exam with a focused study
resource designed to reinforce essential nursing concepts related to nutritional status
and elimination. It supports review of nutritional assessment, therapeutic diets,
enteral and parenteral nutrition, fluid and electrolyte balance, bowel and bladder
elimination disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and nursing interventions related to
nutrition and elimination. This resource is best suited for NURS 3209 nursing students
and healthcare learners preparing for nutrition and elimination assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT & BASICS (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's nutritional status. Which of the
following is the most reliable indicator of long-term nutritional status?
a) Height and weight
b) Body mass index (BMI)
c) Serum albumin
d) Waist circumference
Answer: c) Serum albumin
Rationale: Serum albumin is a reliable indicator of long-term nutritional
status because it has a half-life of approximately 18-20 days. Prealbumin is a
more sensitive indicator of acute changes. BMI and weight are important but
can be influenced by fluid status and other factors.
2. A patient has a BMI of 32 kg/m². The nurse should classify this patient
as:
a) Underweight
b) Normal weight
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c) Overweight
d) Obese
Answer: d) Obese
Rationale: BMI classifications:
• Underweight: <18.5
• Normal weight: 18.5-24.9
• Overweight: 25-29.9
• Obese: ≥30
A BMI of 32 falls into the Obese category (Class I obesity: 30-34.9).
3. A patient is 5 feet 6 inches tall (66 inches) and weighs 160 pounds. What
is the patient's BMI?
a) 22.5
b) 24.2
c) 25.8
d) 27.1
Answer: c) 25.8
Rationale: BMI = weight (lb) / [height (in)]² × 703.
66 inches × 66 inches = 4356.
160 × 703 = 112,480.
112,480 ÷ 4356 = 25.8. BMI = 25.8 (Overweight).
4. A patient is prescribed a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items
can the patient have?
a) Milk
b) Orange juice with pulp
c) Chicken broth
d) Cream of wheat
Answer: c) Chicken broth
Rationale: A clear liquid diet includes liquids that are transparent at room
temperature, such as broth, clear juices (apple, cranberry, grape), gelatin, and
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ice pops. Milk, juice with pulp, and cream of wheat are not allowed on a clear
liquid diet.
5. A patient is prescribed a full liquid diet. Which of the following items
can the patient have?
a) Ice chips
b) Cream of wheat
c) Clear broth
d) Gelatin
Answer: b) Cream of wheat
Rationale: A full liquid diet includes liquids that are liquid at room
temperature, such as cream soups, milk, pudding, custard, and cream of
wheat. Clear liquids (broth, gelatin, ice chips) are allowed on a clear liquid
diet but are also included in full liquid.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food
should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) Fresh apple
b) Grilled chicken
c) Canned soup
d) Steamed broccoli
Answer: c) Canned soup
Rationale: Canned soups are typically high in sodium and should be avoided
on a low-sodium diet. Fresh fruits, grilled chicken, and steamed vegetables
are lower in sodium.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-fiber diet. Which food should
the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) White bread
b) Peanut butter
c) Canned fruit
d) Broccoli
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Answer: d) Broccoli
Rationale: Broccoli is a high-fiber food and should be avoided on a low-fiber
diet. White bread, peanut butter, and canned fruit (without skin) are low-fiber
options.
8. A patient is prescribed a low-purine diet for gout. Which food should the
nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) Rice
b) Organ meats (liver, kidney)
c) Pasta
d) Cheese
Answer: b) Organ meats (liver, kidney)
Rationale: A low-purine diet restricts organ meats (liver, kidney,
sweetbreads), anchovies, sardines, and shellfish. Rice, pasta, and cheese are
low in purines.
9. A patient is prescribed a low-potassium diet for chronic kidney disease.
Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) Apples
b) Bananas
c) White rice
d) Green beans
Answer: b) Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided on a low-
potassium diet. Other high-potassium foods include oranges, potatoes,
tomatoes, and avocados. White rice, apples, and green beans are lower in
potassium.
10. A patient is prescribed a low-phosphorus diet for chronic kidney
disease. Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
a) Apples
b) Dairy products (milk, cheese)
