Nutritional Assessment Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide for Nursing Students

Question 1

Which anthropometric measurement is NOT used to assess nutritional status?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Height

Answer

Weight

Answer

Skinfold thickness

Question 2

When conducting a 24-hour dietary recall, the patient provides detailed information about their food intake for:

Accepted Answer

The past 24 hours

Answer

The past 48 hours

Answer

The past 7 days

Answer

The past month

Question 3

Which limitation should be considered when using body mass index (BMI) to assess nutritional status in older adults?

Accepted Answer

It does not account for changes in body composition with age.

Answer

It is not accurate in individuals who are overweight or obese.

Answer

It can be affected by acute illness.

Answer

It is difficult to measure accurately in geriatric patients.

Question 4

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein is:

Accepted Answer

0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day

Answer

1.0 grams per kilogram of body weight per day

Answer

1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day

Answer

1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight per day

Question 5

Which dietary intake assessment method relies on data collected from a single 24-hour period?

Accepted Answer

24-hour recall

Answer

Food frequency questionnaire

Answer

Automated food diary

Answer

Food diary

Question 6

Which anthropometric measurement is primarily used to assess body fat distribution?

Accepted Answer

Waist circumference

Answer

Height

Answer

Weight

Answer

Body mass index (BMI)

Question 7

Which of the following biochemical tests is used to assess kidney function, but not nutritional status?

Accepted Answer

Creatinine

Answer

Serum Albumin

Answer

Prealbumin

Answer

Transferrin

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of measuring albumin levels in a blood sample?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate protein status

Answer

To diagnose anemia

Answer

To determine hydration status

Answer

To assess vitamin B12 levels

Question 9

Which dietary intake assessment method is most appropriate for capturing long-term dietary patterns?

Accepted Answer

Food frequency questionnaire

Answer

24-hour dietary recall

Answer

Dietary log

Answer

Meal observation

Question 10

What is a potential limitation of using skinfold thickness as an anthropometric measurement?

Accepted Answer

It can be affected by hydration status

Answer

It requires specialized equipment

Answer

It is only useful for assessing obesity

Answer

It is a precise indicator of body composition

Question 11

What is the primary role of a registered dietitian (RD) in the nutritional assessment process?

Accepted Answer

To provide nutrition counseling

Answer

To perform physical examinations

Answer

To interpret laboratory results

Answer

To prescribe medications

Question 12

Which nutritional intervention is most likely to improve the outcomes of a patient with a history of frequent hospitalizations and pressure ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Increasing protein intake

Answer

Restrictive diet

Answer

Intravenous nutrition

Answer

Enzyme supplements

Question 13

What is the key distinction between subjective global assessment (SGA) and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA)?

Accepted Answer

SGA is performed by a healthcare professional, while PG-SGA is completed by the patient.

Answer

PG-SGA is more accurate than SGA.

Answer

SGA is used for hospitalized patients, while PG-SGA is used for outpatients.

Answer

There is no significant difference between SGA and PG-SGA.

Question 14

Which of the following biochemical tests is used to evaluate protein status?

Accepted Answer

Serum albumin

Answer

Hemoglobin A1c

Answer

Fasting blood glucose

Answer

Serum electrolytes

Question 15

What is the purpose of a 24-hour dietary recall?

Accepted Answer

To identify food patterns and preferences

Answer

To estimate nutrient intake over a long period

Answer

To monitor dietary changes over time

Answer

To calculate energy expenditure

Question 16

What is the Body Mass Index (BMI) cutoff for obesity in adults?

Accepted Answer

30 kg/m2

Answer

25 kg/m2

Answer

35 kg/m2

Answer

40 kg/m2

Question 17

Which of the following is a characteristic of marasmus?

Accepted Answer

Severe wasting

Answer

Edema

Answer

Growth failure

Answer

Vitamin A deficiency

Question 18

Within the nutritional assessment process, what is the primary responsibility of a nurse?

Accepted Answer

Collection of relevant data

Answer

Interpretation of assessment results

Answer

Development of appropriate interventions

Answer

Patient education on nutrition

Question 19

What is the intended purpose of the Braden Scale?

Accepted Answer

Assessment of risk for pressure ulcers

Answer

Assessment of nutritional status

Answer

Monitoring of weight loss

Answer

Evaluation of dietary intake

Question 20

Which measurement is NOT included in anthropometric assessments?

Accepted Answer

Biochemical profile

Answer

Body mass index (BMI)

Answer

Waist circumference

Answer

Skinfold thickness

Question 21

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), what BMI range defines overweight in adults?

Accepted Answer

25.0-29.9

Answer

30.0-34.9

Answer

35.0-39.9

Answer

40.0-44.9

Question 22

Which tool is used to measure skinfold thickness accurately?

Accepted Answer

Caliper

Answer

Tape measure

Answer

Bioelectrical impedance analyzer

Answer

DEXA scanner

Question 23

Which healthcare professional is responsible for conducting nutritional assessments, interpreting biochemical test results, analyzing dietary intake, and providing personalized nutrition advice?

Accepted Answer

Registered dietitian

Answer

Physician

Answer

Nurse

Answer

Pharmacist

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT an anthropometric measurement used to assess nutritional status? [Difficulty: Medium]

Accepted Answer

Body fat percentage

Answer

Body mass index (BMI)

Answer

Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)

Answer

Skinfold thickness

Question 25

Which biochemical test is commonly used to evaluate protein status? [Difficulty: Easy]

Accepted Answer

Serum albumin

Answer

Hemoglobin

Answer

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)

Answer

Vitamin B12

Question 26

What is the recommended frequency for using food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) in clinical practice? [Difficulty: Easy]

Accepted Answer

Annually

Answer

Monthly

Answer

Quarterly

Answer

As needed

Question 27

What is the primary purpose of measuring mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)? [Difficulty: Medium]

Accepted Answer

To screen for malnutrition in children under 5

Answer

To assess muscle mass

Answer

To estimate body fat percentage

Answer

To track weight gain

Question 28

Which anthropometric measurement is most strongly associated with visceral fat accumulation?

Accepted Answer

Waist circumference

Answer

Body mass index (BMI)

Answer

Triceps skinfold thickness

Answer

Mid-arm muscle circumference

Question 29

A patient presents with edema in both lower extremities. Which biochemical test would be most useful in evaluating their nutritional status?

Accepted Answer

Serum albumin

Answer

Serum electrolytes

Answer

Complete blood count

Answer

Urinalysis

Question 30

When assessing nutritional status, it is important to consider both objective and subjective data. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?

Accepted Answer

Patient's self-reported food intake

Answer

Height and weight measurements

Answer

Serum iron levels

Answer

Physical examination findings

Question 31

Which of the following is a common cause of malnutrition in hospitalized patients?

Accepted Answer

Infection

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Renal disease

Answer

Hypertension

Question 32

When using a food frequency questionnaire, it is important to ask about the frequency of food intake over the past:

Accepted Answer

Week

Answer

Day

Answer

Month

Answer

Year

Question 33

Which technique for estimating body composition accounts for both lean tissue and body fat?

Accepted Answer

Bioelectrical impedance analysis

Answer

Mid-arm circumference measurement

Answer

Skinfold thickness measurement

Answer

Body mass index calculation

Question 34

Which of the following limitations is associated with the use of a 24-hour dietary recall?

Accepted Answer

Potential for inaccuracies due to recall bias and under- or over-reporting

Answer

Time-consuming to administer

Answer

Can only be used for short-term monitoring

Answer

Requires specialized equipment

Question 35

Which food is an excellent source of zinc?

Accepted Answer

Oysters

Answer

Broccoli

Answer

Bananas

Answer

Brown rice

Question 36

What is a primary advantage of using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool?

Accepted Answer

Ease of administration and interpretation

Answer

Requires specialized training to administer

Answer

Provides detailed dietary information

Answer

Can be used for all age groups without modification

Question 37

Which laboratory test is commonly used to assess iron stores in the body?

Accepted Answer

Serum ferritin

Answer

Serum potassium

Answer

Serum magnesium

Answer

Serum calcium