Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A. Recommend a total fat intake of 12 g each day.
Recommending a total fat intake of 12 g each day is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take because it is too low for most adults. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA. for fat is 20 to 35% of total calories per day, which translates to about 44 to 78 g of fat per day for an average adult who consumes 2,000 calories per day.
B. Refer the client to a weight-loss support group.
Referring the client to a weight-loss support group is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take because the client does not need to lose weight. A body mass index (BMI) of 22 is within the normal range, which is 18.5 to 24.9. A weight-loss support group is more suitable for clients who have a BMI of 25 or higher, which indicates overweight or obesity.
C. Advise the client to add 500 calories per day to the diet.
Advising the client to add 500 calories per day to the diet is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take because it may lead to weight gain. A client who has a BMI of 22 does not need to increase their caloric intake unless they have other medical conditions or nutritional needs that require more calories. Adding 500 calories per day to the diet can result in gaining about one pound per week, which can increase the risk of obesity and its complications.
D. Encourage the client to continue current daily caloric intake.
Encouraging the client to continue current daily caloric intake is an appropriate action for the nurse to take because it can help maintain a healthy weight. A client who has a BMI of 22 has a balanced energy intake and expenditure, which means that they consume enough calories to meet their metabolic needs and physical activity level. Continuing current daily caloric intake can prevent weight loss or gain and promote health and wellness.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN Nutrition 2019 Nexy Updated 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Recommending a total fat intake of 12 g each day is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take because it is too low for most adults. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA. for fat is 20 to 35% of total calories per day, which translates to about 44 to 78 g of fat per day for an average adult who consumes 2,000 calories per day.
Choice B reason: Referring the client to a weight-loss support group is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take because the client does not need to lose weight. A body mass index (BMI) of 22 is within the normal range, which is 18.5 to 24.9. A weight-loss support group is more suitable for clients who have a BMI of 25 or higher, which indicates overweight or obesity.
Choice C reason: Advising the client to add 500 calories per day to the diet is not an appropriate action for the nurse to take because it may lead to weight gain. A client who has a BMI of 22 does not need to increase their caloric intake unless they have other medical conditions or nutritional needs that require more calories. Adding 500 calories per day to the diet can result in gaining about one pound per week, which can increase the risk of obesity and its complications.
Choice D reason: Encouraging the client to continue current daily caloric intake is an appropriate action for the nurse to take because it can help maintain a healthy weight. A client who has a BMI of 22 has a balanced energy intake and expenditure, which means that they consume enough calories to meet their metabolic needs and physical activity level. Continuing current daily caloric intake can prevent weight loss or gain and promote health and wellness.
Similar Questions
A nurse is providing teaching to a group of clients about retaining nutrients when preparing fruits and vegetables. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. “I soak fruits in water before peeling them.”
Soaking fruits in water before peeling them is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, to leach out into the water. It is better to wash fruits briefly under running water and peel them as thinly as possible.
B. “I cook vegetables for the week and reheat them at each meal.”
Cooking vegetables for the week and reheating them at each meal is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause nutrient losses due to exposure to heat, light, air, and water. It is better to cook vegetables as close to the time of consumption as possible and use minimal water and cooking time.
C. “I boil vegetables on the stove until they are soft.”
Boiling vegetables on the stove until they are soft is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause significant nutrient losses due to high temperature and long cooking time. It is better to steam, microwave, or stir-fry vegetables until they are crisp-tender and retain their color and texture.
D. “I keep my ripe fruits refrigerated until I eat them.”
Keeping ripe fruits refrigerated until eating them is a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can slow down the ripening process and prevent spoilage. Refrigeration can preserve the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of fruits. However, some fruits, such as bananas, tomatoes, and avocados, should not be refrigerated because they can lose their quality and taste.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Soaking fruits in water before peeling them is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, to leach out into the water. It is better to wash fruits briefly under running water and peel them as thinly as possible.
Choice B reason: Cooking vegetables for the week and reheating them at each meal is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause nutrient losses due to exposure to heat, light, air, and water. It is better to cook vegetables as close to the time of consumption as possible and use minimal water and cooking time.
Choice C reason: Boiling vegetables on the stove until they are soft is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause significant nutrient losses due to high temperature and long cooking time. It is better to steam, microwave, or stir-fry vegetables until they are crisp-tender and retain their color and texture.
Choice D reason: Keeping ripe fruits refrigerated until eating them is a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can slow down the ripening process and prevent spoilage. Refrigeration can preserve the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of fruits. However, some fruits, such as bananas, tomatoes, and avocados, should not be refrigerated because they can lose their quality and taste.
A nurse is teaching a group of parents about appropriate food choices for toddlers. Which of the following choices by the parents demonstrates an understanding of the teaching?
A. Hot dog cut in fourths
Hot dog cut in fourths is not an appropriate food choice for toddlers because it is still a choking hazard. Hot dogs are cylindrical and firm, which can block the airway of a child. Hot dogs should be avoided or cut into thin slices and small pieces before offering to toddlers.
B. Cooked spaghetti with sauce
Cooked spaghetti with sauce is an appropriate food choice for toddlers because it is soft, easy to chew, and provides carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins. Cooked spaghetti can be cut into short strands and mixed with sauce to make it more appealing and moist for toddlers.
C. Steak cut into small pieces
Steak cut into small pieces is not an appropriate food choice for toddlers because it is tough, dry, and hard to chew. Steak can cause choking or difficulty swallowing for toddlers who have not developed their molars and chewing skills. Steak should be avoided or minced and moistened before offering to toddlers.
D. Caramel popcorn
Caramel popcorn is not an appropriate food choice for toddlers because it is sticky, sweet, and hard. Caramel popcorn can stick to the teeth and gums, causing dental caries and gum infections. Popcorn can also cause choking or aspiration for toddlers who have not mastered their swallowing reflex. Popcorn should be avoided until the child is at least 4 years old.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Hot dog cut in fourths is not an appropriate food choice for toddlers because it is still a choking hazard. Hot dogs are cylindrical and firm, which can block the airway of a child. Hot dogs should be avoided or cut into thin slices and small pieces before offering to toddlers.
Choice B reason: Cooked spaghetti with sauce is an appropriate food choice for toddlers because it is soft, easy to chew, and provides carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins. Cooked spaghetti can be cut into short strands and mixed with sauce to make it more appealing and moist for toddlers.
Choice C reason: Steak cut into small pieces is not an appropriate food choice for toddlers because it is tough, dry, and hard to chew. Steak can cause choking or difficulty swallowing for toddlers who have not developed their molars and chewing skills. Steak should be avoided or minced and moistened before offering to toddlers.
Choice D reason: Caramel popcorn is not an appropriate food choice for toddlers because it is sticky, sweet, and hard. Caramel popcorn can stick to the teeth and gums, causing dental caries and gum infections. Popcorn can also cause choking or aspiration for toddlers who have not mastered their swallowing reflex. Popcorn should be avoided until the child is at least 4 years old.
A nurse is providing teaching about the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet to a client who has hypertension. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Consume ten percent of total calories from saturated fat.
Consuming ten percent of total calories from saturated fat is not a part of the DASH diet because it is too high for most adults. The DASH diet recommends consuming less than seven percent of total calories from saturated fat, which translates to about 16 g of saturated fat per day for an average adult who consumes 2,000 calories per day.
B. Consume foods that are high in calcium.
Consuming foods that are high in calcium is a part of the DASH diet because it can help lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the force of contraction of the heart. The DASH diet recommends consuming 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium per day, which can be obtained from dairy products, leafy greens, beans, nuts, and fortified foods.
C. Increase intake of refined carbohydrates.
Increasing intake of refined carbohydrates is not a part of the DASH diet because it can raise blood sugar and insulin levels, which can increase blood pressure and damage the blood vessels. The DASH diet recommends consuming 45 to 55 percent of total calories from carbohydrates, but mostly from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which are rich in fiber and antioxidants.
D. Limit sodium intake to 3,200 milligrams per day.
Limiting sodium intake to 3,200 milligrams per day is not a part of the DASH diet because it is too high for most adults. The DASH diet recommends limiting sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day or less, which can help lower blood pressure by reducing fluid retention and vascular resistance.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Consuming ten percent of total calories from saturated fat is not a part of the DASH diet because it is too high for most adults. The DASH diet recommends consuming less than seven percent of total calories from saturated fat, which translates to about 16 g of saturated fat per day for an average adult who consumes 2,000 calories per day.
Choice B reason: Consuming foods that are high in calcium is a part of the DASH diet because it can help lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the force of contraction of the heart. The DASH diet recommends consuming 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium per day, which can be obtained from dairy products, leafy greens, beans, nuts, and fortified foods.
Choice C reason: Increasing intake of refined carbohydrates is not a part of the DASH diet because it can raise blood sugar and insulin levels, which can increase blood pressure and damage the blood vessels. The DASH diet recommends consuming 45 to 55 percent of total calories from carbohydrates, but mostly from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which are rich in fiber and antioxidants.
Choice D reason: Limiting sodium intake to 3,200 milligrams per day is not a part of the DASH diet because it is too high for most adults. The DASH diet recommends limiting sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day or less, which can help lower blood pressure by reducing fluid retention and vascular resistance.
