NURS225: WEEK 1 PRINCIPLES OF
NUTRITION COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
| PRACTICE QUESTIONS, RATIONALES &
CHEAT SHEET
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
, Serum Albumin A negative acute-phase protein with a normal range of 3.5-5.0 g/dL reflecting
long-term protein status.
Nursing Considerations: Insensitive to acute changes due to a 21-day half-life.
Clinical Significance: Low levels indicate chronic malnutrition, liver disease, or
active inflammation.
Exam Tip: Albumin decreases during inflammation even with adequate nutrition.
Prealbumin A sensitive marker of short-term changes in nutritional status with a normal range
of 15-36 mg/dL.
Nursing Considerations: Has a short 2-day half-life.
Clinical Significance: Sensitive to acute protein deficiency and metabolic stress.
Exam Tip: Use prealbumin to monitor acute changes or effectiveness of TPN.
Body Mass Index (BMI) An anthropometric measure evaluating weight relative to height.
Nursing Considerations: Formula is [Weight (lbs) / Height (in)²] × 703 or Weight
(kg) / Height (m)².
Clinical Significance: Categorizes individuals as underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-
24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), or obese (≥30.0).
Exam Tip: BMI does not account for muscle mass; use alongside other
assessments.
Positive Nitrogen Balance A state where nitrogen intake exceeds nitrogen output, indicating net protein
synthesis.
Nursing Considerations: Encourage protein intake to support tissue growth.
Clinical Significance: Occurs during growth, pregnancy, and wound healing.
Exam Tip: Think "positive = building up" (anabolism).
Negative Nitrogen Balance A state where nitrogen output exceeds nitrogen intake, indicating tissue
breakdown.
Nursing Considerations: Monitor for muscle wasting, delayed healing, and weight
loss.
Clinical Significance: Common in infection, trauma, burns, and starvation.
Exam Tip: Think "negative = breaking down" (catabolism).
Carbohydrates The body's primary energy source, providing 4 kcal per gram.
Nursing Considerations: RDA is at least 130 g/day, making up 45-65% of daily
calories.
Clinical Significance: Essential for brain and nervous system function.
Exam Tip: Minimum carbohydrate intake prevents ketosis and muscle catabolism.
NUTRITION COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
| PRACTICE QUESTIONS, RATIONALES &
CHEAT SHEET
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
, Serum Albumin A negative acute-phase protein with a normal range of 3.5-5.0 g/dL reflecting
long-term protein status.
Nursing Considerations: Insensitive to acute changes due to a 21-day half-life.
Clinical Significance: Low levels indicate chronic malnutrition, liver disease, or
active inflammation.
Exam Tip: Albumin decreases during inflammation even with adequate nutrition.
Prealbumin A sensitive marker of short-term changes in nutritional status with a normal range
of 15-36 mg/dL.
Nursing Considerations: Has a short 2-day half-life.
Clinical Significance: Sensitive to acute protein deficiency and metabolic stress.
Exam Tip: Use prealbumin to monitor acute changes or effectiveness of TPN.
Body Mass Index (BMI) An anthropometric measure evaluating weight relative to height.
Nursing Considerations: Formula is [Weight (lbs) / Height (in)²] × 703 or Weight
(kg) / Height (m)².
Clinical Significance: Categorizes individuals as underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-
24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), or obese (≥30.0).
Exam Tip: BMI does not account for muscle mass; use alongside other
assessments.
Positive Nitrogen Balance A state where nitrogen intake exceeds nitrogen output, indicating net protein
synthesis.
Nursing Considerations: Encourage protein intake to support tissue growth.
Clinical Significance: Occurs during growth, pregnancy, and wound healing.
Exam Tip: Think "positive = building up" (anabolism).
Negative Nitrogen Balance A state where nitrogen output exceeds nitrogen intake, indicating tissue
breakdown.
Nursing Considerations: Monitor for muscle wasting, delayed healing, and weight
loss.
Clinical Significance: Common in infection, trauma, burns, and starvation.
Exam Tip: Think "negative = breaking down" (catabolism).
Carbohydrates The body's primary energy source, providing 4 kcal per gram.
Nursing Considerations: RDA is at least 130 g/day, making up 45-65% of daily
calories.
Clinical Significance: Essential for brain and nervous system function.
Exam Tip: Minimum carbohydrate intake prevents ketosis and muscle catabolism.
