Chapter 1: Introduction to Nutrition for Nurses
Chapter 2: A Holistic View of Macronutrients
Chapter 3: A Holistic View of Micronutrients
Chapter 4: The Digestive Process
Chapter 5: Applying Clinical Judgment to Promote Nutrition for Neurological Wellness
Chapter 6: Special Nutritional Considerations for Neurological Health
Chapter 7: Applying Clinical Judgment to Promote Nutrition for Endocrine Wellness
Chapter 8: Special Nutritional Considerations for Endocrine Health
Chapter 9: Applying Clinical Judgment to Promote Nutrition for Hematologic Wellness
Chapter 10: Special Nutritional Considerations for Hematologic Health
Chapter 11: Applying Clinical Judgment to Promote Nutrition for Cardiovascular
Wellness
Chapter 12: Special Nutritional Considerations for Cardiovascular Health
Chapter 13: Applying Clinical Judgment to Promote Nutrition for Pulmonary Wellness
Chapter 14: Special Nutritional Considerations for Pulmonary Health
Chapter 15: Applying Clinical Judgment to Promote Nutrition for Renal Wellness
Chapter 16: Special Nutritional Considerations for Renal Health
Chapter 17: Applying Clinical Judgment to Promote Nutrition for Gastrointestinal
Wellness
Chapter 18: Special Nutritional Considerations for Gastrointestinal Health
Chapter 19: Applying Clinical Judgment to Promote Nutrition for Musculoskeletal and
Integumentary Wellness
Chapter 20: Special Nutritional Considerations for Musculoskeletal and Integumentary
Health
,Chapter 1 Test Bank: Introduction to Nutrition for
Nurses
1. A nurse is conducting a nutritional screening on an older adult patient admitted with
a hip fracture. Which finding most strongly indicates the need for a comprehensive
nutritional assessment by a Registered Dietitian (RD)?
A. The patient reports a 5% weight loss over the past 6 months.
B. The patient has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 24.
C. The patient reports a "fair" appetite since the injury.
D. The patient has a serum albumin level of 3.6 g/dL.
Answer: A
Rationale: While all options relate to nutrition, a 5% weight loss in an older adult over 6
months is a significant clinical marker for potential malnutrition and requires a formal
referral. BMI of 24 and albumin of 3.6 are within normal ranges.
Keywords: Nutritional Screening, Malnutrition, Older Adult.
2. In the context of interdisciplinary collaboration, which task is specifically within the
scope of practice for the nurse rather than the Registered Dietitian?
A. Calculating specific parenteral nutrition (PN) macro-nutrient requirements.
B. Conducting a comprehensive nutrition-focused physical exam (NFPE).
C. Monitoring and documenting the patient's actual oral intake during a shift.
D. Developing a specialized diet plan for a patient with Stage 4 Renal Disease.
Answer: C
Rationale: Nurses are responsible for the continuous monitoring of patient status,
including actual intake (e.g., percentage of meal eaten), whereas RDs focus on complex
nutrient calculations and specialized diet prescriptions.
Keywords: Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Scope of Practice, Monitoring.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a non-healing pressure injury. When applying the
Nursing Process, which "Planning" intervention best addresses the patient's nutritional
needs?
A. Measuring the wound dimensions weekly.
B. Assessing the patient's ability to swallow.
C. Collaborating with the provider to order high-protein oral nutritional supplements.
D. Documenting that the patient ate 50% of their lunch.
Answer: C
Rationale: Planning involves selecting interventions to achieve a goal. Collaborating to
provide high-protein supplements directly addresses the nutritional deficit required for
wound healing.
Keywords: Nursing Process, Planning, Wound Healing.
4. Which statement by a student nurse demonstrates an understanding of the "Nursing
Process" as it relates to nutrition?
A. "Nutrition is only relevant during the 'Assessment' phase."
B. "Nutrition is a static factor that does not change during the hospital stay."
C. "The nurse must evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional interventions on patient
outcomes."
D. "Nutritional status is secondary to medical diagnosis and does not require a nursing
diagnosis."
Answer: C
Rationale: The nursing process is cyclical; Evaluation is critical to determine if nutritional
interventions (like a modified diet) are improving the patient's clinical status.
Keywords: Nursing Process, Evaluation, Outcomes.
,5. A patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) reports being too tired
to eat. Which nursing implementation is most appropriate based on the physiological
demands of the respiratory system?
A. Encouraging three large, high-carbohydrate meals a day.
B. Providing small, frequent, nutrient-dense meals.
C. Advising the patient to drink 2 liters of water during meals.
D. Scheduling physical therapy sessions immediately before mealtime.
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with respiratory compromise often experience "dyspnea while
eating." Small, frequent meals reduce the work of breathing and prevent early satiety
from gastric distension.
Keywords: COPD, Implementation, Nutrient Density.
6. During a community health screening, which individual is at the highest risk for
"hidden hunger" (micronutrient deficiency) despite appearing well-nourished or
overweight?
A. An athlete who consumes 4,000 calories of whole foods daily.
B. A sedentary office worker who consumes a diet high in processed, energy-dense
foods.
C. A vegan who takes B12 and Iron supplements regularly.
D. A teenager who eats home-cooked meals but avoids all dairy products.
Answer: B
Rationale: "Hidden hunger" occurs when the quality of food does not meet nutritional
requirements. Diets high in processed foods provide excessive calories (energy-dense)
but are often stripped of essential vitamins and minerals (nutrient-poor).
Keywords: Hidden Hunger, Nutrient Density, Processed Foods.
,7. A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Why is nutritional assessment critical
in the "Assessment" phase for this specific body system?
A. To determine if the patient needs more vitamin K.
B. To identify fluid volume excess related to high sodium intake.
C. To assess for increased protein needs due to muscle hypertrophy.
D. To evaluate the patient's preference for spicy foods.
Answer: B
Rationale: In cardiovascular nursing, nutritional assessment focuses on electrolytes and
fluid balance, as high sodium intake leads to fluid retention, exacerbating heart failure.
Keywords: Cardiovascular System, Sodium, Assessment.
8. Which clinical decision illustrates the nurse’s role as a "Patient Advocate" in nutrition?
A. Ordering a standard diet for all patients on the unit.
B. Requesting a speech-language pathology (SLP) consult for a patient coughing during
meals.
C. Telling a patient they must eat everything on their tray to get discharged.
D. Allowing a patient’s family to bring in high-sodium fast food for a patient with
hypertension.
Answer: B
Rationale: Advocacy involves identifying risks (like aspiration) and ensuring the patient
receives the necessary specialized evaluations to maintain safety and nutrition.
Keywords: Advocacy, Aspiration, SLP.
9. When considering nutrition across the lifespan, which developmental stage requires
the nurse to focus most on the prevention of iron-deficiency anemia through
education?
A. Early adulthood.
, B. Middle-aged men.
C. Toddlers and adolescent females.
D. Post-menopausal women.
Answer: C
Rationale: Toddlers (due to excessive milk intake) and adolescent females (due to
menses and growth) are the most physiologically vulnerable populations for iron
deficiency.
Keywords: Lifespan, Iron Deficiency, Education.
10. A patient is diagnosed with "Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements."
This is an example of which part of the Nursing Process?
A. Assessment.
B. Nursing Diagnosis.
C. Implementation.
D. Evaluation.
Answer: B
Rationale: This is a formal NANDA-I nursing diagnosis derived from the analysis of
assessment data.
Keywords: Nursing Diagnosis, Nutritional Status.
11. Which body system’s nutritional status is most directly evaluated by monitoring
blood glucose and Hemoglobin A1c levels?
A. Gastrointestinal System.
B. Endocrine System.
C. Neurological System.
D. Musculoskeletal System.