Question 1

A person is being assessed for malnutrition. What laboratory test findings indicate malnutrition? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Low white blood cell count can indicate malnutrition as it may reflect a weakened immune system due to inadequate nutrition. Low transferrin levels can indicate malnutrition because transferrin is a protein that binds and transports iron, and its levels can decrease with protein-energy malnutrition.

Question 2

A person is admitted for treatment of malnutrition. Which of the following assessment findings would suggest to the nurse the person is experiencing a vitamin C deficiency? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A, B, E

Question 3

An overweight person tells the nurse, 'Every Monday at work we have croissants. I can't stop myself! Sometimes I eat two!' What is this person describing?

Accepted Answer

The person is describing an external cue (the availability of croissants on Mondays) that stimulates their appetite and causes them to eat more than they intended. This is an example of how environmental factors can influence eating behaviors.

Question 4

An elderly person who uses a walker tells the nurse, 'I'm so alone now that my family is gone.' What is this person at risk of developing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An elderly person who uses a walker...

Question 5

A 45-year-old male says, 'I'm gaining weight but I'm not eating any differently than I did years ago.' Which of the following is correct about this person? The person is:

Accepted Answer

As people age, their metabolism tends to slow down, which can lead to weight gain even if their eating habits haven't changed.

Question 6

Which waist-to-hip ratio increases the risk of a female developing stroke, elevated insulin levels, and an abnormal lipid profile?

Accepted Answer

A waist-to-hip ratio of 0.8 or higher in females is associated with an increased risk of stroke, elevated insulin levels, and an abnormal lipid profile, indicating a higher concentration of abdominal fat relative to hip circumference.

Question 7

A malnourished person is demonstrating ongoing diarrhoea that occurs after every meal. What might this person be experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Malabsorption can lead to ongoing diarrhoea after every meal due to the body's inability to properly absorb nutrients from food. This can occur in people who are malnourished due to a lack of proper nutrients in their diet. Gallbladder disease, lactose intolerance, and carbohydrate intolerance do not necessarily cause ongoing diarrhoea after every meal.

Question 8

An overweight female states, 'I'm trying to stick to my diet and exercise plan, but my husband tells me that I'm fine the way I am.' What would be an appropriate nursing diagnosis for this person?

Accepted Answer

The statement indicates that the person is struggling with following their diet and exercise plan and their husband's comments may be hindering their progress. This suggests that they may be experiencing ineffective therapeutic regimen management as they are having difficulty adhering to their prescribed plan. The other options do not fully encompass the situation presented.

Question 9

A female learns that she has regained 7 kg that she had lost the previous year. Which of the following would be the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The best response would be to encourage the individual to return to successful strategies, such as diet, exercise, and behavior change that have worked in the past rather than focusing on a "quick fix" diet. Option A may minimize the individual's concerns and Option B is not feasible or healthy. Option C, while true, may not be helpful in addressing the individual's current need for guidance and support.

Question 10

A male who lives alone has a BMI of 34. Which of the following strategies could the nurse suggest to help this person reduce overeating?

Accepted Answer

By preparing and eating a meal in the dining room, the person is creating a mindful eating environment that can help them reduce overeating. Eating out often can result in larger portion sizes and less control over ingredients, while storing leftovers or purchasing ready-to-eat meals may not address the underlying issue of overeating.

Question 11

A person has been receiving parenteral nutrition for many months. The nurse is aware that the person is at an increased risk of developing what condition?

Accepted Answer

Long-term parenteral nutrition can lead to liver disease, specifically hepatic steatosis, which is caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver. This is due to the high levels of sugar and fat in the parenteral nutrition solution and the lack of normal digestive processes that would occur if the person were able to consume food orally. Cardiomyopathy is not directly related to parenteral nutrition, Grave's disease is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland, and diabetes is a metabolic disorder that results in high blood sugar levels, which can be a risk factor for needing parenteral nutrition but is not a result of it.

Question 12

A 33-year-old female states, 'I eat anything I want and just have a laxative for dessert!' What is this person exhibiting?

Accepted Answer

This person is exhibiting symptoms of bulimia, a type of eating disorder characterized by binge-eating and purging behaviors, such as using laxatives.

Question 13

A 19-year-old female is being assessed for bulimia. The mother asks what diagnostic tests can be done to determine the presence of bulimia. What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

Bulimia cannot be diagnosed through specific diagnostic tests. It is typically diagnosed through a thorough evaluation of symptoms, medical history, and physical findings by a mental health provider. Blood tests may be done to assess for any medical complications that may arise from bulimia, but these tests do not diagnose the disorder itself. A gag reflex test is not necessary for the diagnosis of bulimia.

Question 14

A person with a BMI of 29 says, 'I cut out all my sweet snacks last week and I still can't lose any weight.' Which of the following would be appropriate for the nurse to do or say in response?

Accepted Answer

Calculating how many calories the person is eating each day will allow the nurse to determine if the person is still consuming too many calories overall, even without the sweet snacks. This will help identify if any additional changes need to be made to the person's diet in order to achieve weight loss.

Question 15

During a physical assessment, the nurse suspects that the person might be experiencing metabolic syndrome. Which of the following assessment findings would provide evidence for this nurse's assumption?

Accepted Answer

High blood pressure is a key component of metabolic syndrome, along with insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, and endothelial dysfunction. Hypoglycemia is not a typical finding in metabolic syndrome. High HDL cholesterol levels are actually a positive sign and can help protect against cardiovascular disease. Bradycardia is not typically associated with metabolic syndrome unless due to medication side effects or other underlying conditions.

Question 16

The nurse hears a mother say to her child, 'If you behave, we'll stop and get you an ice cream cone when we're done here.' What is this mother doing? She is:

Accepted Answer

The mother is using food (an ice cream cone) as a reward for the child's good behavior. This can be problematic as it reinforces the idea that food is a reward and can lead to unhealthy eating habits in the future.

Question 17

A female has a body mass index (BMI)of 27. Which of the following would be an appropriate documentation by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

A BMI of 27 falls within the overweight category, which is defined as a BMI between 25 and 29.9.

Question 18

The mother of a 12-year-old female child states, 'My daughter saw an older child who was extremely overweight. Ever since that time my daughter won't eat.' What might the child be experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The child may be experiencing an irrational fear of gaining weight, which is a common symptom of anorexia nervosa. This fear may have been triggered by seeing an extremely overweight individual. Ineffective coping strategies or normal preadolescent behavior are unlikely to explain a sudden change in eating patterns, and bulimia is not mentioned as a possibility in the scenario.

Question 19

The nurse assesses the person for which common manifestation of malnutrition?

Accepted Answer

Petechiae, or small red or purple spots on the skin, can be a common manifestation of malnutrition. It is caused by a deficiency in vitamin C or other nutrients that are necessary for proper blood clotting. Diabetes, hypertension, and gallbladder disease are not typically associated with malnutrition.

Question 20

The nurse is reviewing the serum lipids of a person with a BMI of 31. Which of the following would be expected in this person?

Accepted Answer

A BMI of 31 indicates obesity, which is associated with dyslipidemia. Specifically, individuals with obesity tend to have low levels of HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol), and elevated levels of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol). While serum triglycerides may also be elevated in obesity, the question specifically asks for the expected serum lipid profile.

Quiz 21: Nursing Care of People With Nutritional Disorders