ASPEN Problem Solving Exam Questions and
With Distinction level Marking scheme
updated 2024/2025
The initial daily protein requirements for a critically ill trauma patient weighing 70 kg and
having a BMI of 23.4 kg/m2 are
1: 55-70 grams.2: 70-105 grams.3: 105-140 grams.4: 140-175 grams. - correct answer
1.5-2 g/ kg
Which of the following types of feeding delivery methods is most appropriate for patients
with a jejunostomy?
1: Bolus2: Gravity3: Intermittent4: Continuous pump - correct answer 4
What is the recommended daily intake of selenium for term infants receiving parenteral
nutrition?
1: <1 mcg/kg/day2: 2 mcg/kg/day3: 3 - 4 mcg/kg/day4: 5 - 6 mcg/kg/day - correct
answer 2
The Subjective Global Assessment used to evaluate the nutritional status of patients
includes
1: dietary intake, delayed hypersensitivity skin testing, and weight history.2: weight
history, dietary intake, and gastrointestinal symptoms.3: laboratory indices, weight
history, and gastrointestinal symptoms.4: arm anthropometry, dietary intake, and
laboratory indices. - correct answer 2
The Short-Form Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) was derived from the Mini-
Nutritional Assessment (MNA) in order to
1: adapt the MNA for use in pediatric patients.2: eliminate the need to obtain height and
weight data for nutrition assessment.3: allow patients to generate their own nutrition
assessment with a questionnaire method.4: obtain high diagnostic accuracy for
detecting nutritional problems in older adults with a brief screening tool. - correct
answer 4
,Consumption of soluble fiber contributes to
1: lower levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol.2: lower levels of total and low
density lipoprotein cholesterol.3: lower risk of developing colon cancer.4: increase in
blood glucose concentrations. - correct answer 2
A 14-year-old with a 4-month history of intentional weight loss of 15% of her usual
weight and a BMI less than the 5th percentile is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. She
is admitted to the hospital for medical stabilization and is unwilling to consume enough
food to meet her nutritional needs. A 24-hour calorie count reveals that the patient is
consuming a very restricted diet averaging 850 calories daily. Which of the following is
the most appropriate nutrition intervention at this time?
1: Peripheral parenteral nutrition2: High calorie diet with a calorie count3: Structured
meal plan with supplemental enteral feedings4: Total parenteral nutrition - correct
answer 3
A respiratory quotient (RQ) of 0.87 most likely suggests
1: primarily fat oxidation.2: mixed substrate utilization.3: primary carbohydrate
oxidation.4: primary protein oxidation. - correct answer 2
Which of the following PN formulas can be safely administered through a peripheral
catheter?
1: 10% dextrose and 3% amino acid2: 20% dextrose and 3% amino acid3: 10%
dextrose and 6% amino acid4: 20% dextrose and 6% amino acid - correct answer 1
Patients/caregivers should receive discharge instructions regarding home enteral
nutrition by qualified members of the healthcare team. All of the following is essential
information to be taught during education EXCEPT?
1: Volume of formula per feed and total daily volume2: Administration method and
schedule3: Care of the enteral access device and infection control4: Total calories and
protein provided per day - correct answer 4
According to current Medicare guidelines, coverage for an enteral feeding pump can be
justified under which of these circumstances?
, 1: The patient is being fed using a jejunal feeding tube2: The patient states a preference
to infuse feedings during the night using a pump3: The patient's caregiver has difficulty
preparing several bolus feedings each day4: The patient would like enteral feedings to
infuse quickly. - correct answer 1
Which of the following methods of estimating energy requirements in critically ill children
is LEAST accurate when compared to resting energy expenditure measurement by
indirect calorimetry?
1: Schofield Equation2: White Equation3: World Health Organization Equations4:
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for energy - correct answer 4
A patient with chronic heart failure on high-dose furosemide is started on enteral
nutrition for an inability to consume adequate oral nutrition. Despite a slow
advancement to goal feeding rate, he suffers from electrolyte imbalance and peripheral
neuritis. Deficiency of which vitamin should be suspected in the cause of his symptoms?
1: Thiamin2: Vitamin B123: Folate4: Riboflavin - correct answer 1
What is the most appropriate feeding strategy for a morbidly obese trauma patient?
1: High protein, hypocaloric feeding2: High protein, hypercaloric feeding3: Low protein,
hypocaloric feeding4: Low protein, hypercaloric feeding - correct answer 1
Which of the following best describes the treatment of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel
disease?
1: Cholestyramine is effective treatment for steatorrhea2: Patients with diarrhea should
be treated with prebiotics3: Start antidiarrheal agents once infectious etiology is ruled
out4: Withhold pharmacological therapy until diarrhea exceeds 1 L/day - correct
answer 3
Current recommendations regarding safe administration of lipid injectable emulsion
(ILE) include
1: ILE hang time up to 24 hours when included as part of a total nutrient admixture
(TNA).2: ILE hang time up to 24 hours when administered as an infusion separate from
PN (2 in 1 PN).3: ILE when a part of a TNA is stable for 1 week at room temperature.4:
ILE should be filtered with a 0.22 micron filter when administered for nutrition. - correct
answer 1
With Distinction level Marking scheme
updated 2024/2025
The initial daily protein requirements for a critically ill trauma patient weighing 70 kg and
having a BMI of 23.4 kg/m2 are
1: 55-70 grams.2: 70-105 grams.3: 105-140 grams.4: 140-175 grams. - correct answer
1.5-2 g/ kg
Which of the following types of feeding delivery methods is most appropriate for patients
with a jejunostomy?
1: Bolus2: Gravity3: Intermittent4: Continuous pump - correct answer 4
What is the recommended daily intake of selenium for term infants receiving parenteral
nutrition?
1: <1 mcg/kg/day2: 2 mcg/kg/day3: 3 - 4 mcg/kg/day4: 5 - 6 mcg/kg/day - correct
answer 2
The Subjective Global Assessment used to evaluate the nutritional status of patients
includes
1: dietary intake, delayed hypersensitivity skin testing, and weight history.2: weight
history, dietary intake, and gastrointestinal symptoms.3: laboratory indices, weight
history, and gastrointestinal symptoms.4: arm anthropometry, dietary intake, and
laboratory indices. - correct answer 2
The Short-Form Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) was derived from the Mini-
Nutritional Assessment (MNA) in order to
1: adapt the MNA for use in pediatric patients.2: eliminate the need to obtain height and
weight data for nutrition assessment.3: allow patients to generate their own nutrition
assessment with a questionnaire method.4: obtain high diagnostic accuracy for
detecting nutritional problems in older adults with a brief screening tool. - correct
answer 4
,Consumption of soluble fiber contributes to
1: lower levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol.2: lower levels of total and low
density lipoprotein cholesterol.3: lower risk of developing colon cancer.4: increase in
blood glucose concentrations. - correct answer 2
A 14-year-old with a 4-month history of intentional weight loss of 15% of her usual
weight and a BMI less than the 5th percentile is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. She
is admitted to the hospital for medical stabilization and is unwilling to consume enough
food to meet her nutritional needs. A 24-hour calorie count reveals that the patient is
consuming a very restricted diet averaging 850 calories daily. Which of the following is
the most appropriate nutrition intervention at this time?
1: Peripheral parenteral nutrition2: High calorie diet with a calorie count3: Structured
meal plan with supplemental enteral feedings4: Total parenteral nutrition - correct
answer 3
A respiratory quotient (RQ) of 0.87 most likely suggests
1: primarily fat oxidation.2: mixed substrate utilization.3: primary carbohydrate
oxidation.4: primary protein oxidation. - correct answer 2
Which of the following PN formulas can be safely administered through a peripheral
catheter?
1: 10% dextrose and 3% amino acid2: 20% dextrose and 3% amino acid3: 10%
dextrose and 6% amino acid4: 20% dextrose and 6% amino acid - correct answer 1
Patients/caregivers should receive discharge instructions regarding home enteral
nutrition by qualified members of the healthcare team. All of the following is essential
information to be taught during education EXCEPT?
1: Volume of formula per feed and total daily volume2: Administration method and
schedule3: Care of the enteral access device and infection control4: Total calories and
protein provided per day - correct answer 4
According to current Medicare guidelines, coverage for an enteral feeding pump can be
justified under which of these circumstances?
, 1: The patient is being fed using a jejunal feeding tube2: The patient states a preference
to infuse feedings during the night using a pump3: The patient's caregiver has difficulty
preparing several bolus feedings each day4: The patient would like enteral feedings to
infuse quickly. - correct answer 1
Which of the following methods of estimating energy requirements in critically ill children
is LEAST accurate when compared to resting energy expenditure measurement by
indirect calorimetry?
1: Schofield Equation2: White Equation3: World Health Organization Equations4:
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for energy - correct answer 4
A patient with chronic heart failure on high-dose furosemide is started on enteral
nutrition for an inability to consume adequate oral nutrition. Despite a slow
advancement to goal feeding rate, he suffers from electrolyte imbalance and peripheral
neuritis. Deficiency of which vitamin should be suspected in the cause of his symptoms?
1: Thiamin2: Vitamin B123: Folate4: Riboflavin - correct answer 1
What is the most appropriate feeding strategy for a morbidly obese trauma patient?
1: High protein, hypocaloric feeding2: High protein, hypercaloric feeding3: Low protein,
hypocaloric feeding4: Low protein, hypercaloric feeding - correct answer 1
Which of the following best describes the treatment of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel
disease?
1: Cholestyramine is effective treatment for steatorrhea2: Patients with diarrhea should
be treated with prebiotics3: Start antidiarrheal agents once infectious etiology is ruled
out4: Withhold pharmacological therapy until diarrhea exceeds 1 L/day - correct
answer 3
Current recommendations regarding safe administration of lipid injectable emulsion
(ILE) include
1: ILE hang time up to 24 hours when included as part of a total nutrient admixture
(TNA).2: ILE hang time up to 24 hours when administered as an infusion separate from
PN (2 in 1 PN).3: ILE when a part of a TNA is stable for 1 week at room temperature.4:
ILE should be filtered with a 0.22 micron filter when administered for nutrition. - correct
answer 1
