NUTRITION FINAL EXAM FOR NURSING 2026 – EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
1. A nurse is conducting a nutritional assessment on a newly admitted patient.
Which anthropometric measurement provides the most reliable indicator of
visceral protein status?
A. Triceps skinfold thickness
B. Mid-arm muscle circumference
C. Body mass index (BMI)
D. Waist-to-hip ratio
Correct Answer: B. Mid-arm muscle circumference
Rationale: Mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) is an anthropometric
measurement used to estimate skeletal muscle mass, which correlates with visceral
protein stores. Triceps skinfold thickness (A) measures subcutaneous fat, not protein
status. BMI (C) is a general indicator of weight relative to height and does not
differentiate between fat and muscle mass. Waist-to-hip ratio (D) is an indicator of
central obesity and cardiovascular risk, not visceral protein status.
2. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is being educated on dietary
modifications. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a
correct understanding of the dietary restrictions?
,A. "I should increase my intake of potassium-rich foods like bananas and
oranges."
B. "I should choose whole-grain bread over white bread to increase my fiber
intake."
C. "I need to limit my intake of high-phosphorus foods such as dairy and nuts."
D. "I can use salt substitutes freely to enhance the flavor of my food."
Correct Answer: C. I need to limit my intake of high-phosphorus foods such as
dairy and nuts.
Rationale: Patients with CKD need to restrict phosphorus to prevent
hyperphosphatemia and subsequent bone disease. Dairy products, nuts, and
legumes are high in phosphorus. Potassium (A) is often restricted in CKD, not
increased. While fiber is beneficial, whole grains are high in phosphorus, making
them less ideal than refined grains for some CKD patients (B). Salt substitutes (D)
are high in potassium and should be avoided.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with severe burns. The patient's estimated
caloric needs are calculated using the Harris-Benedict equation with a stress
factor. The nurse understands that this patient is at the greatest risk for which
of the following complications related to nutritional status?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Protein-calorie malnutrition
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: C. Protein-calorie malnutrition
,Rationale: Severe burns induce a massive hypermetabolic and catabolic state,
significantly increasing energy and protein requirements. Without aggressive
nutritional support, patients are at high risk for protein-calorie malnutrition, which
impairs wound healing and immune function. Hypoglycemia (A) is less common as
glucose production increases. Hyperkalemia (B) can occur due to cell lysis but is not
the primary nutritional risk. Metabolic alkalosis (D) is not the primary risk
associated with malnutrition in burns.
4. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a patient with celiac disease. Which
of the following food items is safe for the patient to consume?
A. Wheat-based pasta
B. Barley soup
C. Rye bread
D. Corn tortillas
Correct Answer: D. Corn tortillas
Rationale: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, a protein
found in wheat (A), barley (B), and rye (C). Corn is a gluten-free grain, making corn
tortillas a safe choice for the patient.
5. A patient's lab results show a serum albumin level of 2.8 g/dL. In addition to
nutritional status, which of the following conditions could also explain this
finding?
, A. Dehydration
B. Acute infection
C. Liver cirrhosis
D. Polycythemia
Correct Answer: C. Liver cirrhosis
Rationale: Albumin is synthesized exclusively in the liver. In liver cirrhosis,
hepatocyte function is impaired, leading to decreased albumin synthesis.
Dehydration (A) typically causes a falsely elevated albumin. Acute infection (B) can
lower albumin due to cytokine-mediated shifts, but liver disease is a more direct
cause of decreased synthesis. Polycythemia (D) is not associated with low albumin.
6. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in a
patient. Which of the following laboratory values is the most sensitive indicator
of the adequacy of protein provision?
A. Serum albumin
B. Prealbumin (transthyretin)
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: B. Prealbumin (transthyretin)
Rationale: Prealbumin has a short half-life of approximately 2-3 days, making it a
sensitive, dynamic indicator of recent changes in protein status and the
effectiveness of nutritional interventions. Serum albumin (A) has a long half-life
(about 21 days) and is a poor indicator of acute changes. BUN (C) can be elevated
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
1. A nurse is conducting a nutritional assessment on a newly admitted patient.
Which anthropometric measurement provides the most reliable indicator of
visceral protein status?
A. Triceps skinfold thickness
B. Mid-arm muscle circumference
C. Body mass index (BMI)
D. Waist-to-hip ratio
Correct Answer: B. Mid-arm muscle circumference
Rationale: Mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) is an anthropometric
measurement used to estimate skeletal muscle mass, which correlates with visceral
protein stores. Triceps skinfold thickness (A) measures subcutaneous fat, not protein
status. BMI (C) is a general indicator of weight relative to height and does not
differentiate between fat and muscle mass. Waist-to-hip ratio (D) is an indicator of
central obesity and cardiovascular risk, not visceral protein status.
2. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is being educated on dietary
modifications. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a
correct understanding of the dietary restrictions?
,A. "I should increase my intake of potassium-rich foods like bananas and
oranges."
B. "I should choose whole-grain bread over white bread to increase my fiber
intake."
C. "I need to limit my intake of high-phosphorus foods such as dairy and nuts."
D. "I can use salt substitutes freely to enhance the flavor of my food."
Correct Answer: C. I need to limit my intake of high-phosphorus foods such as
dairy and nuts.
Rationale: Patients with CKD need to restrict phosphorus to prevent
hyperphosphatemia and subsequent bone disease. Dairy products, nuts, and
legumes are high in phosphorus. Potassium (A) is often restricted in CKD, not
increased. While fiber is beneficial, whole grains are high in phosphorus, making
them less ideal than refined grains for some CKD patients (B). Salt substitutes (D)
are high in potassium and should be avoided.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with severe burns. The patient's estimated
caloric needs are calculated using the Harris-Benedict equation with a stress
factor. The nurse understands that this patient is at the greatest risk for which
of the following complications related to nutritional status?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Protein-calorie malnutrition
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: C. Protein-calorie malnutrition
,Rationale: Severe burns induce a massive hypermetabolic and catabolic state,
significantly increasing energy and protein requirements. Without aggressive
nutritional support, patients are at high risk for protein-calorie malnutrition, which
impairs wound healing and immune function. Hypoglycemia (A) is less common as
glucose production increases. Hyperkalemia (B) can occur due to cell lysis but is not
the primary nutritional risk. Metabolic alkalosis (D) is not the primary risk
associated with malnutrition in burns.
4. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a patient with celiac disease. Which
of the following food items is safe for the patient to consume?
A. Wheat-based pasta
B. Barley soup
C. Rye bread
D. Corn tortillas
Correct Answer: D. Corn tortillas
Rationale: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, a protein
found in wheat (A), barley (B), and rye (C). Corn is a gluten-free grain, making corn
tortillas a safe choice for the patient.
5. A patient's lab results show a serum albumin level of 2.8 g/dL. In addition to
nutritional status, which of the following conditions could also explain this
finding?
, A. Dehydration
B. Acute infection
C. Liver cirrhosis
D. Polycythemia
Correct Answer: C. Liver cirrhosis
Rationale: Albumin is synthesized exclusively in the liver. In liver cirrhosis,
hepatocyte function is impaired, leading to decreased albumin synthesis.
Dehydration (A) typically causes a falsely elevated albumin. Acute infection (B) can
lower albumin due to cytokine-mediated shifts, but liver disease is a more direct
cause of decreased synthesis. Polycythemia (D) is not associated with low albumin.
6. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in a
patient. Which of the following laboratory values is the most sensitive indicator
of the adequacy of protein provision?
A. Serum albumin
B. Prealbumin (transthyretin)
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: B. Prealbumin (transthyretin)
Rationale: Prealbumin has a short half-life of approximately 2-3 days, making it a
sensitive, dynamic indicator of recent changes in protein status and the
effectiveness of nutritional interventions. Serum albumin (A) has a long half-life
(about 21 days) and is a poor indicator of acute changes. BUN (C) can be elevated
