NCLEX PN - Nutrition NCLEX Questions
a 17 year-old pregnant client is being seen at the obstetric clinic.
The following laboratory results, obtained two hours after breakfast, are currently being
reviewed by the nurse: hematocrit of 10.5 g/dL sodium 140 milliEq, glucose 120 mg/dL
potassium 4.1 mEq.
which dietary instruction should the nurse reinforce for this client?
A) increase the amount of red meats
B) consume more milk and dairy products. C) Keep banana consumption to a minimum
each day. D) decrease the amounts of heavily sugared items - ANS-A) increase the amount
of red meats
rationale
this client's hemoglobin level is low; red meats are a good source of iron.
the glucose level is within range of nonfasting samples.
based on the laboratory results, there is no reason for the client to increase the milk intake
or limit the number of bananas consumed daily.
a caregiver states that the client eats only about 25% of the food that is offered and seems
to be losing weight.
the caregiver asks the nurse about feeding the client by a tube into the stomach.
which initial response by the nurse would be appropriate?
A) tube feedings are only for long-term feeding problems
B) tube feedings can supply the necessary nutrients in sufficient quantities. C) tube feedings
frequently cause problems like aspiration pneumonia. D) tube feedings are not helpful in
cases of intractable vomiting or severe diarrhea - ANS-B) tube feedings can provide
adequate amounts of required nutrients
rationale
Weight loss and a 25% dietary intake suggest that additional sources of nutrition should be
sought. tube feeding is an alternative for temporary or permanent nutritional maintenance.
enteral tube feedings are generally safer and significantly less costly than peripheral or
parenteral nutrition
option A is incorrect because tube feedings are often temporary measures.
option C may be correct; however, it is not the best response to a caregiver seeking initial
information
option D has nothing to do with the circumstances of this question. a child with leukemia is
experiencing nausea realted to medication therapy.
The nurse, concerned about the child's nutritional status, should offer which during an
episode of nausea?
A) low-calorie foods
B) cool, clear liquids
C) low-protein foods
D) the child's preferred foods (ANS-B) and clear, cool liquids rationale
When a child is nauseous, it is best to give them frequent small doses of cool, clear liquids
because small doses are usually easier to take in. Cool, clear fluids are also soothing and
better tolerated when a client is nauseated.
, When a child is feeling sick, it's best not to give them their favorite foods because eating
them will make them feel sick. It is best to offer small, frequent meals of high-protein and
high-calories content once the nausea has been controlled with medication or has subsided.
A client with gastroenteritis has been given a clear liquid diet. Which item is appropriate to
offer to the client?
A) soft custard
B) orange juice
C) clam chowder
D) fat-free beef broth - ANS-D) fat-free beef broth
rationale:
a clear liquid diet consists of foods that are relatively transparent.
Soft custard and orange juice would be included in a full liquid diet because they are
opaque, not clear.
Clam chowder is opaque and also includes pieces of clams, thus eliminating it from a full
liquid diet.
a client has a diagnosis of hyperphosphatemia. the nurse reinforces teaching the client to
eliminate which from the diet?
A) tea
B) fish
C) cocoa
D) coffee - ANS-B) fish
rationale
foods naturally high in phosphate should be avoided by the client with hyperphosphatemia.
these include fish, eggs, milk products, vegetables, whole grains, and carbonated
beverages.
coffee, tea, cocoa are not high in phosphates.
a client has a serum sodium level of 151 mEq/L and the nurse reinforces dietary teaching
about the types of foods to avoid.
If the client says, "What is a good food choice?" the nurse decides that the client needs
more instruction. A) fish
B) rhubarb
C) spinach
D) american cheese - ANS-D) american cheese
rationale
the client's laboratory value reflects hypernatermia because the normal serum sodium level
is 135 to 145 mEq/L
The client should be instructed by the nurse to avoid sodium-rich foods based on this
finding. these should include foods from animal sources, which contain physiological saline,
and highly processed meats and other foods that often have sodium added as a
preservative.
spinach and rhubarb are good food sources of calcium
fish is high in phosphorus.
Pernicious anemia has been diagnosed in a client. in planning care for the client, the nurse
anticipates that the client will be treated with which?
A) iron
B) folic acid
C is thiamine. D) vitamin B12 - ANS-D) vitamin B12
rationale
, pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12.
treatment consists of monthly injections of vitamin B12.
thiamine is most often prescribed for the client with alcoholism.
iron is administered for iron deficiency anemia, and folic acid is prescribed for folic acid
deficiency.
a client in a long-term care facility is being prepared to be discharged to home in 2 days. the
client has been eating a regular diet for a week, yet is still receiving intermittent enteral tube
feedings and will need to receive these feedings at home.
the client states concern about not being able to continue the tube feedings at home. which
nursing response would be appropriate at this time?
A) do you want to stay in the nursing home a few more days?
B) have you discussed your feelings with your health care provider?
C) you need to talk to your health care provider about these feelings
D) tell me more about your concerns with your feelings after going home. - ANS-D) tell me
more about your concerns with your feelings after going home.
rationale
a client often has fears about leaving the secure, cared-for environment of the health care
facility.
this client has a fear about not being able to provide self-care at home and not being able to
handle the tube feedings at home.
an open communication statement such as "tell me more about...." often leads to valuable
information and the client's concerns.
the other options are nontherapeutic statements
a client is a lacto-vegetarian. Which food item ought to be removed from the tray by the
nurse? A) eggs
B) milk
C) Cheddar D) broccoli - ANS-B) eggs
rationale:
eggs are not consumed by lacto-vegetarians. Other dairy and plant products are eaten by
lacto-vegetarians
a client is admitted to a long-term care facility with the diagnosis of weight loss secondary to
anorexia.
the health care provider inserts a nasogastric tube and prescribes a tube feeding of a
standard formula feeding to run at 50 ml/hr
the nurse plans care, knowing that which is true regarding enteral feedings?
A) enteral feedings are a frequent cause of sepsis
B) tube feedings should be refrigerated until just before use
C) the caloric value of enteral feedings is generally 5 to 10 kcal/ml
D) enteral feedings require the normal digestive capabilities of the GI tract - ANS-D) enteral
feedings require the normal digestive capabilities of the GI tract
rationale
enteral nutrition can include providing nutrients by mouth, nasogastric tube, gastrostomy
tubes or a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostromy tube (PEG tube)
the common element in each of these methods of delivery is that the client must have
normal GI digestive capabilities
if the client does not have a normal GI tract, other methods of nutrient delivery must be
sought, such as parenteral nutrition.
a 17 year-old pregnant client is being seen at the obstetric clinic.
The following laboratory results, obtained two hours after breakfast, are currently being
reviewed by the nurse: hematocrit of 10.5 g/dL sodium 140 milliEq, glucose 120 mg/dL
potassium 4.1 mEq.
which dietary instruction should the nurse reinforce for this client?
A) increase the amount of red meats
B) consume more milk and dairy products. C) Keep banana consumption to a minimum
each day. D) decrease the amounts of heavily sugared items - ANS-A) increase the amount
of red meats
rationale
this client's hemoglobin level is low; red meats are a good source of iron.
the glucose level is within range of nonfasting samples.
based on the laboratory results, there is no reason for the client to increase the milk intake
or limit the number of bananas consumed daily.
a caregiver states that the client eats only about 25% of the food that is offered and seems
to be losing weight.
the caregiver asks the nurse about feeding the client by a tube into the stomach.
which initial response by the nurse would be appropriate?
A) tube feedings are only for long-term feeding problems
B) tube feedings can supply the necessary nutrients in sufficient quantities. C) tube feedings
frequently cause problems like aspiration pneumonia. D) tube feedings are not helpful in
cases of intractable vomiting or severe diarrhea - ANS-B) tube feedings can provide
adequate amounts of required nutrients
rationale
Weight loss and a 25% dietary intake suggest that additional sources of nutrition should be
sought. tube feeding is an alternative for temporary or permanent nutritional maintenance.
enteral tube feedings are generally safer and significantly less costly than peripheral or
parenteral nutrition
option A is incorrect because tube feedings are often temporary measures.
option C may be correct; however, it is not the best response to a caregiver seeking initial
information
option D has nothing to do with the circumstances of this question. a child with leukemia is
experiencing nausea realted to medication therapy.
The nurse, concerned about the child's nutritional status, should offer which during an
episode of nausea?
A) low-calorie foods
B) cool, clear liquids
C) low-protein foods
D) the child's preferred foods (ANS-B) and clear, cool liquids rationale
When a child is nauseous, it is best to give them frequent small doses of cool, clear liquids
because small doses are usually easier to take in. Cool, clear fluids are also soothing and
better tolerated when a client is nauseated.
, When a child is feeling sick, it's best not to give them their favorite foods because eating
them will make them feel sick. It is best to offer small, frequent meals of high-protein and
high-calories content once the nausea has been controlled with medication or has subsided.
A client with gastroenteritis has been given a clear liquid diet. Which item is appropriate to
offer to the client?
A) soft custard
B) orange juice
C) clam chowder
D) fat-free beef broth - ANS-D) fat-free beef broth
rationale:
a clear liquid diet consists of foods that are relatively transparent.
Soft custard and orange juice would be included in a full liquid diet because they are
opaque, not clear.
Clam chowder is opaque and also includes pieces of clams, thus eliminating it from a full
liquid diet.
a client has a diagnosis of hyperphosphatemia. the nurse reinforces teaching the client to
eliminate which from the diet?
A) tea
B) fish
C) cocoa
D) coffee - ANS-B) fish
rationale
foods naturally high in phosphate should be avoided by the client with hyperphosphatemia.
these include fish, eggs, milk products, vegetables, whole grains, and carbonated
beverages.
coffee, tea, cocoa are not high in phosphates.
a client has a serum sodium level of 151 mEq/L and the nurse reinforces dietary teaching
about the types of foods to avoid.
If the client says, "What is a good food choice?" the nurse decides that the client needs
more instruction. A) fish
B) rhubarb
C) spinach
D) american cheese - ANS-D) american cheese
rationale
the client's laboratory value reflects hypernatermia because the normal serum sodium level
is 135 to 145 mEq/L
The client should be instructed by the nurse to avoid sodium-rich foods based on this
finding. these should include foods from animal sources, which contain physiological saline,
and highly processed meats and other foods that often have sodium added as a
preservative.
spinach and rhubarb are good food sources of calcium
fish is high in phosphorus.
Pernicious anemia has been diagnosed in a client. in planning care for the client, the nurse
anticipates that the client will be treated with which?
A) iron
B) folic acid
C is thiamine. D) vitamin B12 - ANS-D) vitamin B12
rationale
, pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12.
treatment consists of monthly injections of vitamin B12.
thiamine is most often prescribed for the client with alcoholism.
iron is administered for iron deficiency anemia, and folic acid is prescribed for folic acid
deficiency.
a client in a long-term care facility is being prepared to be discharged to home in 2 days. the
client has been eating a regular diet for a week, yet is still receiving intermittent enteral tube
feedings and will need to receive these feedings at home.
the client states concern about not being able to continue the tube feedings at home. which
nursing response would be appropriate at this time?
A) do you want to stay in the nursing home a few more days?
B) have you discussed your feelings with your health care provider?
C) you need to talk to your health care provider about these feelings
D) tell me more about your concerns with your feelings after going home. - ANS-D) tell me
more about your concerns with your feelings after going home.
rationale
a client often has fears about leaving the secure, cared-for environment of the health care
facility.
this client has a fear about not being able to provide self-care at home and not being able to
handle the tube feedings at home.
an open communication statement such as "tell me more about...." often leads to valuable
information and the client's concerns.
the other options are nontherapeutic statements
a client is a lacto-vegetarian. Which food item ought to be removed from the tray by the
nurse? A) eggs
B) milk
C) Cheddar D) broccoli - ANS-B) eggs
rationale:
eggs are not consumed by lacto-vegetarians. Other dairy and plant products are eaten by
lacto-vegetarians
a client is admitted to a long-term care facility with the diagnosis of weight loss secondary to
anorexia.
the health care provider inserts a nasogastric tube and prescribes a tube feeding of a
standard formula feeding to run at 50 ml/hr
the nurse plans care, knowing that which is true regarding enteral feedings?
A) enteral feedings are a frequent cause of sepsis
B) tube feedings should be refrigerated until just before use
C) the caloric value of enteral feedings is generally 5 to 10 kcal/ml
D) enteral feedings require the normal digestive capabilities of the GI tract - ANS-D) enteral
feedings require the normal digestive capabilities of the GI tract
rationale
enteral nutrition can include providing nutrients by mouth, nasogastric tube, gastrostomy
tubes or a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostromy tube (PEG tube)
the common element in each of these methods of delivery is that the client must have
normal GI digestive capabilities
if the client does not have a normal GI tract, other methods of nutrient delivery must be
sought, such as parenteral nutrition.
