Deck 4: Assessing Nutrition and Anthropometric Measurements

Question 1

A nurse is assessing an obese patient for possible malnutrition and the complications of malnutrition. The nurse understands that all of the following are possible complications of malnutrition EXCEPT:

A) Poor wound healing.
B) Shorter hospital stays.
C) Reduced quality of life.
D) Reduced immunity.

Answer 1

Shorter hospital stays.

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a patient who has recently lost weight. The nurse is concerned that the patient may be suffering from severe protein-calorie malnutrition because the patient's weight loss is:

A) Planned and about 1 pound a week.
B) Unplanned and 5% of his total weight.
C) Unplanned and 15% of his total weight.
D) Unplanned and 25% of his total weight.

Answer 2

Unplanned and 25% of his total weight.

Question 3

Malnutrition is a term that can apply to those who are under- or over-nourished. The nurse knows a common cause of malnutrition is:

A) Failure to take a daily multivitamin.
B) Drinking more than two cups of coffee a day.
C) Improper absorption and distribution of foods within the body.
D) Failure to drink eight (8 oz.) glasses of water a day.

Answer 3

Improper absorption and distribution of foods within the body.

Question 4

During the admission process, a nurse suspects that a 35-year-old single mom of three young children is malnourished. The nurse assesses for possible contributing factors, which include:

A) The patient prepares all her meals at home using only fresh produce.
B) The patient avoids processed foods.
C) The patient feeds her children first, then sits down to eat her meals.
D) The patient is low income, influencing her ability to buy food.

Question 5

A nursing instructor is discussing religious considerations in regard to dietary practices with a student nurse. The nursing instructor understands the student nurse needs further education about religious considerations in dietary practices when she makes which of the following statements?

A) "When patients are hospitalized, we are unable to recognize their religious dietary preferences."
B) "Some religious sects abstain, or are forbidden, from consuming certain foods and drinks."
C) "Some religions restrict foods and drinks during their holy days."
D) "Some religious sects associate dietary and food preparation practices with rituals of their faith."

Question 6

A 22-year-old female patient is discussing her weight with her nurse and seems to be concerned about her present weight. Which of the following questions can the nurse ask to determine the patient's weight history?

A) "Are you happy with your weight?"
B) "What is your goal weight?"
C) "We can talk about this later if you are uncomfortable."
D) "Have you lost or gained weight?"

Question 7

A nurse is educating an obese patient about the importance of losing weight. The nurse is questioning the patient about food preparation in order to understand what education is needed. The nurse will ask all of the following questions EXCEPT:

A) "Do you have transportation to buy your own food?"
B) "What is your favorite restaurant to eat at?"
C) "Who prepares your meals for you?"
D) "Who do you eat your meals with?"

Question 8

Patients who eat a well-balanced diet should receive all of the vitamins and minerals they need from their food. During the nutritional assessment it is important for the nurse to ask the patient about dietary supplements. Which of the following questions would be appropriate for the nurse to ask?

A) "Where do you buy your supplements? Are they name brands?"
B) "What time of day do you take your supplements?"
C) "Are you taking any supplements? Why do you take these supplements?"
D) "Would you consider stopping these supplements?"

Question 9

A nutritional assessment is based on:

A) Food intake, water intake, exercises, and caloric intake.
B) Height, weight, and recent weight loss or gain.
C) Physical examination, anthropometric measurements, laboratory data, and food intake.
D) Food allergies, food availability, and height and weight.

Question 10

A 72-year-old female patient is admitted to the general medical/surgical floor. While the nurse is performing his physical assessment on the patient, he noted concerns with the patient's hair, skin, teeth, and nails. He knows these are most likely related to:

A) Poor hygiene.
B) Malnutrition.
C) Too much sun.
D) Too many vitamins.

Question 11

The purpose of measuring body mass index (BMI) is:

A) To estimate the amount of body fat.
B) To assess proper diet.
C) To assess proper amount of physical activity.
D) To estimate muscle mass.

Question 12

The purpose of assessing the abdominal circumference is:

A) To determine how many inches the patient needs to lose from his or her waist.
B) To determine if the patient is apple- or a pear-shaped.
C) To measure abdominal fat.
D) To calculate BMI.

Question 13

The purpose of assessing the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is:

A) To determine how many inches the patient needs to lose from his or her waist and hips.
B) To calculate BMI.
C) To measure abdominal fat.
D) To assess body size and fat distribution.

Question 14

The purpose of assessing the mid-upper arm circumference is:

A) To assess body size and fat distribution.
B) To assess body protein stores and skeletal muscle mass.
C) To determine the patient's baseline strength.
D) To measure the patient's bone frame size.

Question 15

A nurse is working in a weight loss clinic and spends a significant amount of time educating patients. The nurse knows that education is important in helping weight loss patients be successful. She will reinforce the education if the patient makes which of the following statements?

A) "I will read all food labels so I understand what I am actually eating."
B) "I will monitor my caloric intake and be sure not to eat any high calorie foods."
C) "I will make an effort to watch my portion sizes."
D) "Alcohol does not count toward my calories, so I do not have to worry about the alcohol I drink."

Question 16

A nurse is assessing a patient's plan for weight loss, which should include diet and exercise. The nurse knows the patient should exercise a minimum of ______ hours per week.

A) 5
B) 7
C) 2.5
D) 10

Question 17

Nutritional assessments are important to understanding a patient's overall health but can be a sensitive topic to discuss with patients. When performing a nutritional assessment the nurse knows patients:

A) May not always be truthful in their report.
B) Are usually comfortable discussing their nutrition.
C) Can give an accurate 24-hour dietary recall.
D) Are always compliant with a nutritional plan prescribed.

Question 18

Obesity is a national epidemic. Causes of weight gain include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Habitually eating too much food in excess of body needs.
B) Excess intake of carbohydrates and fats.
C) Consuming more calories than burned through daily living.
D) Eating a diet with a balance between nutrient intake and physiological requirements.

Question 19

A nursing instructor is discussing individuals who are at risk for malnutrition with a nursing student. The instructor recognizes that the student needs further education if he indicates which of the following groups of individuals as being at risk for malnutrition?

A) Alcoholics
B) College students
C) Elderly
D) Individuals with chronic pain

Question 20

A nurse is working with a 21-year-old female to provide education about weight loss. The nurse knows to discuss balancing calories as part of a weight loss plan, which includes:

A) Consuming fewer calories through food and beverage.
B) Keeping track of calories through a 24-hour recall.
C) Tracking measurements, including weight and BMI.
D) Estimating food portions; exact measurements are not necessary.

Question 21

While admitting a 40-year-old male patient for surgery, a nurse is performing a nutritional assessment. The nurse understands that this patient is at nutritional risk due to a history of:

A) Recent planned weight loss.
B) Recent planned weight gain.
C) Being a long-term diabetic.
D) Exercising 30 minutes, 6 days per week.

Question 22

You are assessing an 89-year-old patient in a long-term care facility. The nursing aide reports to you that the patient states that he has no appetite and is only eating 50% of his meals. What will you document in the nursing note?

A) Patient has anorexia and is eating less than 50% of his meals.
B) Patient has anorexia and is eating only 50% of his meals.
C) Patient has ageusia and is eating only 50% of his meals.
D) Patient has dysgeusia and is eating less than 50% of his meals.

Question 23

You are performing a nutritional assessment through direct observation. The patient was given a half cup of mashed potatoes, a hamburger on a bun, and a half cup of string beans. He eats a quarter cup of the mashed potatoes, all of the hamburger, and all of the string beans. What would you document?

A) Patient ate 90% of his meal.
B) Patient ate greater than 80% of his meal.
C) Patient ate less than 75% of his meal.
D) Patient ate 50% of his meal.

Question 24

You are caring for a patient with a very large abdomen who has liver disease. The doctor has ordered abdominal circumferences to be assessed every shift. What is the correct technique to assess an abdominal circumference?

A) Place the tape measure around the bare abdomen at the level of the iliac crest as the patient breathes in.
B) Place the tape measure around the bare abdomen at the level of the iliac crest as the patient breathes out.
C) Place the tape measure around the bare abdomen several inches above the navel as the patient breathes in.
D) Place the tape measure around the bare abdomen several inches below the navel as the patient breathes out.

Question 25

A nurse is educating a patient about the importance of good nutrition. The nurse knows the patient understands the teaching when he recognizes that the benefits of healthy eating include which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Decreased risk of obesity
B) Decreased risk of chronic diseases
C) Increased risk for longer hospital stays
D) Decreased risk of micronutrient deficiencies
E) Increased risk for weight gain

Question 26

A patient's nutritional status can be influenced by many different factors including which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Economic considerations
B) Number of fast-food restaurants
C) Available transportation
D) Cultural and ethnic influences
E) Lack of knowledge about good nutrition

Question 27

A patient is having diagnostic laboratory tests drawn to assess her nutritional status. The nurse explains to the patient that there are several laboratory tests that will be used as assessment tools for nutritional status, including which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Triglyceride level
B) Ferritin level
C) Prealbumin level
D) Calcium level
E) Sodium level

Question 28

A nurse is discussing allergies with a patient. The nurse knows she not only has to assess for drug allergies but food allergies as well. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to assess for possible food allergies? Select all that apply.

A) "Are there any foods you prefer not to eat?"
B) "Are you allergic to any specific types of food?"
C) "Do you have any diet intolerances?"
D) "What type of reaction do you have when you eat something you are allergic to?"
E) "We do not have to discuss food allergies at this time."

Question 29

Mr. Packard is a hospice patient. You are assessing his nutrition through direct observation. What should be assessed? Select all that apply.

A) Amount of food eaten
B) Difficulty swallowing
C) Only the amount of fluids taken
D) Ability to feed himself
E) Ability of the aide to feed him

Question 30

Vitamin D is needed for healthy bone growth. Vitamin D can be found in which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Vitamin D fortified foods
B) Dairy products only
C) Naturally in most foods
D) Sunlight only
E) Sunlight

Question 31

You are going to perform an anthropometric assessment. Choose your equipment. Select all that apply.

A) Computer
B) Paper tape measure
C) Tongue blade
D) Gloves
E) Stadiometer
F) Scale
G) Body mass index (BMI) chart

Question 32

What are the basic food groups for healthy nutrition? Select all that apply.

A) Minerals
B) Dairy
C) Fruits
D) Grains
E) Protein
F) Vegetables

Question 33

Mr. Mason, age 86, lives with his daughter. He has mild dementia. Mr. Mason's daughter brings her father to the outpatient clinic because she feels that her dad is not eating well. The nurse questions Mr. Mason about his appetite and he states, "I eat when I am hungry." Identify nutritional assessments that may be the best options to evaluate Mr. Mason's diet and appetite. Select all that apply.

A) Indirect observation
B) Direct observation
C) A 24-hour diet recall
D) A 3-day food diary
E) A photo log of meals eaten

Question 34

Individuals are recommended to consume ________ to _________ cups of water per day from food and beverages.

Question 35

The waist-to-hip ratio has been identified to be a predictor of at-risk patients for coronary heart disease. Your patient has a family history of coronary artery disease and wants to know if he is within the normal limits of a waist-to-hip ratio. Put the steps of this technique in order of sequence (1-6). (Enter the number of each step in the proper sequence. Do not use punctuation or spaces. Example: 1234.)
_____1. Place the tape measure around the widest point of the hips.
_____2. Document your findings in centimeters.
_____3. Record both measurements in centimeters.
_____4. Place the tape measure around the narrowest area of the waist between the hips and the 11th rib.
_____5. Take measurement after a normal breath at the end of expiration.
_____6. Calculate the waist-to-hip measurement by dividing the waist measurement by the hip measurement.

Question 36

Your patient is on hospice care and you need to determine if she is losing weight. She is unable to stand on a scale, so you decide to take a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Place the steps of this technique in order of sequence (1-8). (Enter the number of each step in the proper sequence. Do not use punctuation or spaces. Example: 1234.)
_____1. Ask the patient to allow her arm to hang by her side.
_____2. Remove clothing from the nondominant arm.
_____3. Ask the patient to bend the nondominant arm.
_____4. Place the patient in an upright sitting position.
_____5. Measure the arm at the mid-point mark.
_____6. Identify the mid-point of measurement and mark the arm at this point.
_____7. Document the measurement in centimeters.
_____8. Using the measuring tape, measure from the top of the shoulder to the tip of the elbow.