Prep U Practice Questions (Nutrition)

A nurse is discussing neonatal care with a new mother. Which statement by the nurse best describes the value of breastfeeding? "Breastfeeding helps you bond with the neonate, but formula must be added for complete nutrition." "Breastfeeding helps your body recover from pregnancy." "Breastfeeding provides extra iron for the growing neonate." "Breastfeeding provides the neonate with immunity against some bacteria and viruses."

"Breastfeeding provides the neonate with immunity against some bacteria and viruses." Explanation: Breast milk provides neonates with immunity against some bacteria and viruses, results in different intestinal flora than with artificial formula, decreases the incidence of allergies, and provides a well-balanced and ideal source of nutrition. Breastfeeding does help the mother bond with the neonate and is a complete source of nutrition.

Dietary modifications are most likely necessary when a client is being treated with which antidepressant? Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) Tricyclic antidepressants Atypical antidepressants

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) Explanation: MAOIs are antidepressants that are well known for their multiple drug and food interactions. As such, dietary modifications are necessary. Such modifications are not normally necessary when a client is receiving SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, or atypical antidepressants.

A client is prescribed medication for a psychiatric disorder. After 3 days, the client reports being constipated. Which instruction would the nurse give the client? "You need to eat more high-protein foods such as meat and peanut butter." "You need to eat more fruits and vegetables and drink more water." "Ask your psychiatrist to prescribe a stool softener for you." "This side effect should disappear within a week or so."

"You need to eat more fruits and vegetables and drink more water." Explanation: The nurse should instruct the client to increase fiber and fluid intake. A mild laxative, exercise, and fiber supplement also may help the client's constipation. High-protein foods would have no effect on constipation. Stool softeners may be appropriate if an increase in fiber and fluids is ineffective. The side effect will not necessarily disappear.

The nurse is providing instruction to a client with acne. The nurse promotes avoidance of which food(s)? Select all that apply. Chocolate Onions Bananas Ice cream

- Chocolate - Ice cream Explanation: The nurse should promote avoidance of foods associated with flare-up of acne, particularly those high in refined sugars, including chocolate, cola, and ice cream.

Which of the following factors should the nurse take into consideration when planning meals and selecting the type and dosage of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent for an elderly patient with diabetes mellitus? Patient's eating and sleeping habits Patient's ability to self-administer insulin Cognitive problems Patient's history

Patient's eating and sleeping habits Explanation: The eating and sleeping habits of older adults differ from those of young or middle-aged persons. The nurse should take this into consideration when planning meals and selecting the proper type and dosage of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent. The nurse should evaluate the patient's ability to self-administer insulin before developing a teaching program. Cognitive problems and patient history may not be taken into consideration when planning meals and selecting the proper type and dosage of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent.

The nurse is providing teaching about food substitutions when cooking for the child with an allergy to eggs. Which response indicates a need for further teaching? "I must not feed my child eggs in any form." "I can use the egg white when baking, but not the yolk." "1 tsp yeast and ¼ cups warm water is a substitute in baked goods." "1.5 Tbsp each water and oil plus 1 tsp baking powder equals one egg in a recipe."

"I can use the egg white when baking, but not the yolk." Explanation: The parents must understand that their child cannot consume any part of an egg in any form. The other statements are accurate.

What is the priority intervention for a client who has been admitted repeatedly with attacks of gout? Assess diet and activity at home Place client on bed rest Increase fluids Insert a Foley catheter

Assess diet and activity at home Explanation: Clients with gout need to be educated about dietary restrictions in order to prevent repeated attacks. Foods high in purine need to be avoided, and alcohol intake has to be limited. Stressful activities should also be avoided. The nurse should assess to determine what is stimulating the repeated attacks of gout. The other interventions are not appropriate for a client with this problem.

Pancreatic enzymes are part of the treatment in cystic fibrosis. When should the nurse administer the enzymes? Once a day Three times a day with water Before meals and snacks with milk At night after dinner

Before meals and snacks with milk Explanation: Enzymes should be administered before all meals and snacks to help in normal absorption of nutrients from the food. The other choices do not promote absorption of foods or are not taken with food.

A client is prescribed warfarin. Client teaching has included instructions to maintain a diet rich in foods that contain vitamin K. What sources of food should the nurse instruct the client to eat? Fish, meats, and vegetable oils Citrus fruits Milk and dairy products Cereals, soybeans, and spinach

Cereals, soybeans, and spinach Explanation: Clients who take warfarin (Coumadin) must be informed that they should eat foods rich in vitamin K. Examples of food sources of vitamin K include cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables, cereals, and soybeans. Other food groups are not known to contain vitamin K. Milk and dairy products are good sources of calcium, while citrus fruits are sources of vitamin C. Fish, meats, and oils are sources of proteins and fats.

The nurse is caring for a vegetarian who has iron deficiency anemia. The standardized nutritional plan for a client with anemia calls for the client to increase consumption of animal protein. How should the nurse plan to meet this client's nutritional needs? Instruct the client that consumption of animal protein is necessary to cure the anemia. Arrange for animal protein to be disguised in the client's meal. Collaborate with the nutritionist to modify the nutritional plan. Meet with the client's family to emphasize the importance of nutritional modification.

Collaborate with the nutritionist to modify the nutritional plan. Explanation: A vegetarian does not consume animal proteins. Although animal proteins are an important source of iron, plant proteins are available. To honor the preferences of the client, the nurse would collaborate with the nutritionist to include these plant sources of protein in the client's diet (instead of the animal protein). It is not true that the client has to consume animal protein to cure the anemia. Meeting with the client's family would be inappropriate because this would violate the wishes of the client. Arranging for animal protein to be disguised in the client's meal would violate the client's trust and would also not be effective in the long term after the client has been discharged.

Which of the following appears to be a significant factor in the development of gastric cancer? Diet Age Ethnicity Gender

Diet Explanation: Diet seems to be a significant factor: a diet high in smoked, salted, or pickled foods and low in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk of gastric cancer. The typical patient with gastric cancer is between 50 and 70 years of age. Men have a higher incidence than women. Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and African Americans are twice as likely as Caucasian Americans to develop gastric cancer.

The nurse is caring for a client who has had a cerebrovascular accident. The client has a nursing diagnosis of altered nutritional status related to difficulty swallowing. What intervention would it be important for the nurse to institute? Encourage the client to eat semisolid foods and cold foods. Encourage the client to drink hot liquids. Encourage the client to eat tepid foods. Encourage the client to eat solid foods.

Encourage the client to eat semisolid foods and cold foods. Explanation: When the client can resume oral intake after a CVA, individualize the diet according to his or her ability to chew and swallow. Semisolid and medium-consistency foods such as pudding, scrambled eggs, cooked cereals, and thickened liquids are easiest to swallow. Cold foods stimulate swallowing. The client should avoid tepid foods, because they are more difficult to locate in the mouth, and extremely hot foods, which can cause overreaction. Therefore options B, C, and D are incorrect.

The nurse is helping a confused client with a large leg wound order dinner. Which food item is most appropriate for the nurse to select to promote wound healing? Pasta salad Fish Banana Green beans

Fish Explanation: To promote wound healing, the nurse should ensure that the client's diet is high in protein, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The fish is high in protein and is therefore the most appropriate choice to promote wound healing. Pasta salad has a high carbohydrate amount with no protein. Banana has a high amount of vitamin C but no protein. Green beans have some protein but not as much as fish.

A client having an eye exam asks the nurse what she can do to help prevent cataracts. What dietary recommendations should a nurse give to a client to prevent cataracts? Calcium with vitamin D Foods rich in purine Fat-free foods Vitamins A and C

Vitamins A and C Explanation: Studies have shown that vitamins A and C are essential for preventing cataracts. Calcium with vitamin D, foods rich in purine, and fat-free foods have no implications on prevention of cataracts.

A nurse is assessing a client's nutritional intake during pregnancy. What is the best method for accomplishing this? enacting a 24-hour nutrition recall weighing the client calculating the client's BMI having the client describe her food cravings

enacting a 24-hour nutrition recall Explanation: Although all of the answers refer to interventions that the nurse should include in her assessment, the 24-hour nutrition recall is the best single method for assessing her nutritional intake.

A 55-year-old client has hypertension. She admits to her physician that she stopped taking her regular medications about 3 months ago and started an alternative, new-age therapy. When the client asks about herbal remedies to treat her hot flashes, which natural estrogen is the physician likely to recommend? Ginkgo biloba Bitter gourd tea Soy milk Turmeric powder

Soy milk Explanation: Alternative treatments such as natural estrogens found in soy products may be effective in treating hot flashes associated with menopause. Ginkgo biloba is an herbal remedy that may help to treat blood disorders and improve memory. The benefits of drinking bitter gourd tea include possible blood glucose regulation, cancer prevention, and antioxidant protection. Turmeric is used in the treatment of digestive and liver problems.

A nurse is working with a child undergoing behavioral modification therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The nurse finds that the child is thin. What could be the most likely reason for this observation? The child finds food distasteful. The child cannot sit through meals. The child has decreased appetite. The child is genetically predisposed to being thin.

The child cannot sit through meals. Explanation: Children with ADHD are not patient enough to sit through meals. This results in reduced dietary intake. This is the most likely reason for children with ADHD to be thin. Children with ADHD do not have impaired taste sensation. These children do not have loss of appetite unless they are on drugs like methylphenidate. It is not known whether children with ADHD are genetically predisposed to being thin.

A mother and grandmother bring a 2-month-old infant to the clinic for a routine checkup. As the nurse weighs the infant, the grandmother asks, "Shouldn't the baby start eating solid food? My kids started on cereal when they were 2 weeks old." Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? "The baby can wait until 9 months because all the nutrients are in the formula." "Things have changed a lot since your children were born." "Babies can't digest solid food properly until after they are 4 months old." "Introducing solid food early leads to eating disorders later in life."

"Babies can't digest solid food properly until after they are 4 months old." Explanation: Stating that babies can't digest solid food properly is correct because infants younger than 4 months lack the enzymes needed to digest complex carbohydrates. This is also a time when the extrusion reflex disappears and the baby will not push the food from the mouth. A baby should not wait until 9 months of age to start solid foods; this can cause an aversion to solid foods and lead to the baby not getting enough nutrients for growth. Saying that things have changed is a cliché that may block further communication with the grandmother. It is also rude and indicates the nurse doesn't think the grandmother was a good mother. Stating that introducing solid food early leads to eating disorders is incorrect because no evidence suggests that this occurs. Starting solid foods early does, however, have a link to obesity later in life.

A client is diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. Which statement indicates effective client teaching about hiatal hernia and its treatment? "I'll eat three large meals every day without any food restrictions." "I'll lie down immediately after a meal." "I'll gradually increase the amount of heavy lifting I do." "I'll eat frequent, small, bland meals that are high in fiber."

"I'll eat frequent, small, bland meals that are high in fiber." Explanation: In hiatal hernia, the upper portion of the stomach protrudes into the chest when intra-abdominal pressure increases. To minimize intra-abdominal pressure and decrease gastric reflux, the client should eat frequent, small, bland meals that can pass easily through the esophagus. Meals should be high in fiber to prevent constipation and minimize straining on defecation (which may increase intra-abdominal pressure from the Valsalva maneuver). Eating three large meals daily would increase intra-abdominal pressure, possibly worsening the hiatal hernia. The client should avoid spicy foods, alcohol, and tobacco because they increase gastric acidity and promote gastric reflux. To minimize intra-abdominal pressure, the client shouldn't recline after meals, lift heavy objects, or bend.

In discussing the causes of iron-deficiency anemia in children with a group of nurses, the following statements are made. Which of these statements is a misconception related to iron-deficiency anemia? "A family's economic problems are often a cause of malnutrition." "Milk is a perfect food, and babies should be able to have all the milk they want." "Caregivers sometimes don't understand the importance of iron and proper nutrition." "Children have a hard time getting enough iron from food during their first few years."

"Milk is a perfect food, and babies should be able to have all the milk they want." Explanation: Babies with an inordinate fondness for milk can take in an astonishing amount and, with their appetites satisfied, may show little interest in solid foods. These babies are prime candidates for iron-deficiency anemia. Many children with iron-deficiency anemia, however, are undernourished because of the family's economic problems. A caregiver's knowledge deficit about nutrition is often present. Because only 10 percent of dietary iron is absorbed, a diet containing 8 to 10 mg of iron is needed for good health. During the first years of life, obtaining this quantity of iron from food is often difficult for a child. If the diet is inadequate, anemia quickly results.

The parents of a client with cystic fibrosis ask the nurse why supplemental pancreatic enzymes are needed. What is the best response by the nurse? "Pancreatic enzymes promote absorption of nutrients and fat." "Pancreatic enzymes reduce abdominal distention and constipation." "Pancreatic enzymes decrease mucus production within the intestinal system." "Pancreatic enzymes help with the movement of waste products."

"Pancreatic enzymes promote absorption of nutrients and fat." Explanation: Pancreatic enzymes are given to a client with cystic fibrosis to aid digestion of fat and protein. The enzymes do not decrease mucus accumulation or constipation, nor do they help with the movement of waste products.

A client is discussing vitamin and mineral intake with the nurse. Which client statement requires nursing intervention? "I understand that my body does not manufacture vitamins." "Eating raw vegetables is good, because cooking may alter the vitamin content in food." "The milk I drink has calcium added to it." "Taking megadoses of vitamins will help me increase muscle mass quickly."

"Taking megadoses of vitamins will help me increase muscle mass quickly." Explanation: Consuming megadoses of vitamins and minerals can be dangerous, so this statement requires intervention. The nurse should find out the type and dose of vitamins that the client takes. The other statements do not require intervention.

A nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory values. Which laboratory value would be indicative of a client's level of malnutrition? Hemoglobin Serum albumin Creatinine Oxygen saturation

Serum albumin Explanation: Serum albumin levels can help measure protein levels in the body and are good indicators for nutrition status. Hemoglobin levels maintain red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Creatinine is a laboratory value that assesses kidney function. Oxygen saturation is the fraction of oxygen-saturated hemoglobin relative to total hemoglobin in the blood. It is best used to determine how well a client is oxygenating.

A nurse is caring for a client who has a malabsorption disease. The nurse should understand that which structure in the gastrointestinal system absorbs the majority of digested food and minerals? Stomach Large intestine Small intestine Liver

Small intestine Explanation: Most absorption of digested food and minerals occurs in the small intestines. The stomach is responsible for storing food, secreting digestive enzymes, and digestion. The large intestine forms feces and absorbs water to regulate the consistency of stool. The digestive function of the liver is the production of bile.

A nurse is caring for a client with constipation. The incidence of constipation tends to be high among clients who follow which diet? a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables a diet lacking in glucose and water a diet consisting of whole grains, seeds, and nuts a diet lacking in meat and poultry products

a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables Explanation: The incidence of constipation tends to be high among clients whose dietary habits lack sufficient raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and nuts, all of which contain adequate fiber. Dietary fiber, which becomes undigested cellulose, is important because it attracts water within the bowel, resulting in bulkier stool that is more quickly and easily eliminated. A diet lacking in glucose and water will cause dehydration first and then constipation, depending on other constituents of the diet. Diets consisting of whole grains, seeds, and nuts provide fiber, which helps in bowel movement. A diet lacking in meat and poultry products need not necessarily lead to constipation.