PN3 EXAM 3 FINAL PREPARATION MANUAL
2026
◉ Total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Answer: An invasive nutritional
support method reserved for clients who cannot use the GI tract or
after failing less invasive interventions.
◉ Enteral tube feeding. Answer: A method of delivering nutrition
directly to the stomach or intestine via a tube.
◉ Aspiration risk. Answer: The potential for food or liquid to enter
the airway and lungs, which can lead to respiratory complications.
◉ Gastric residual volume (GRV). Answer: The amount of fluid
remaining in the stomach after a feeding, used to assess tolerance to
enteral feeding.
◉ pH of gastric aspirate. Answer: Typically ≤5.0; a pH of 3.5
indicates that the tube is likely in the stomach.
◉ Head of the bed (HOB) elevation. Answer: Keeping the head of the
bed elevated at 30-45° to reduce the risk of aspiration during enteral
feeding.
,◉ Verifying tube placement. Answer: The process of confirming the
correct positioning of an enteral feeding tube, often done by x-ray or
pH testing.
◉ Continuous feeding. Answer: A method of enteral feeding that
delivers nutrition continuously rather than in bolus amounts, often
used for clients with delayed gastric emptying.
◉ Dietary recall. Answer: A method of assessing a client's nutritional
intake by asking them to remember and report what they have eaten
over a specific period.
◉ Nutritional intake improvement. Answer: The process of
enhancing a client's diet to address deficiencies, particularly in cases
of malnutrition.
◉ Immediate safety action. Answer: The first priority action taken to
ensure the safety of a client, such as stopping feeding in the event of
aspiration.
◉ Assessment of tolerance. Answer: The evaluation of how well a
client is able to handle enteral feedings, often assessed through
gastric residual volumes.
,◉ Invasive interventions. Answer: Medical procedures that involve
entering the body, often requiring more significant risk and
monitoring.
◉ Bolus feeding. Answer: A method of enteral feeding that delivers a
large volume of nutrition at once, as opposed to continuous feeding.
◉ Checking gastric residuals. Answer: The practice of measuring the
volume of fluid remaining in the stomach to assess the tolerance of
enteral feeding.
◉ Nutritional assessment. Answer: The process of evaluating a
client's dietary intake and nutritional status to guide interventions.
◉ Coughing during feeding. Answer: A potential sign of aspiration
that requires immediate action to stop feeding and protect the
airway.
◉ Serum albumin. Answer: A laboratory value used to assess a
client's long-term protein status.
◉ High-protein oral supplements. Answer: Nutritional products
designed to increase protein intake for clients with malnutrition.
, ◉ Delayed gastric emptying. Answer: A condition where the
stomach takes longer than normal to empty its contents, which can
affect feeding strategies.
◉ Nutritional interventions. Answer: Actions taken to improve a
client's nutritional status, such as dietary changes or
supplementation.
◉ Prealbumin (transthyretin). Answer: A protein with a short half-
life (~2 days) that reflects recent changes in protein-calorie status.
◉ Hemoglobin A1c. Answer: A measure of glycemic control over a
period of time.
◉ Total cholesterol. Answer: A measure of all cholesterol in the
blood, unrelated to short-term protein status.
◉ Dysphagia. Answer: Difficulty swallowing, often requiring a
modified-texture diet.
◉ Thickened liquids. Answer: Liquids that have been modified to
reduce aspiration risk for clients with dysphagia.
2026
◉ Total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Answer: An invasive nutritional
support method reserved for clients who cannot use the GI tract or
after failing less invasive interventions.
◉ Enteral tube feeding. Answer: A method of delivering nutrition
directly to the stomach or intestine via a tube.
◉ Aspiration risk. Answer: The potential for food or liquid to enter
the airway and lungs, which can lead to respiratory complications.
◉ Gastric residual volume (GRV). Answer: The amount of fluid
remaining in the stomach after a feeding, used to assess tolerance to
enteral feeding.
◉ pH of gastric aspirate. Answer: Typically ≤5.0; a pH of 3.5
indicates that the tube is likely in the stomach.
◉ Head of the bed (HOB) elevation. Answer: Keeping the head of the
bed elevated at 30-45° to reduce the risk of aspiration during enteral
feeding.
,◉ Verifying tube placement. Answer: The process of confirming the
correct positioning of an enteral feeding tube, often done by x-ray or
pH testing.
◉ Continuous feeding. Answer: A method of enteral feeding that
delivers nutrition continuously rather than in bolus amounts, often
used for clients with delayed gastric emptying.
◉ Dietary recall. Answer: A method of assessing a client's nutritional
intake by asking them to remember and report what they have eaten
over a specific period.
◉ Nutritional intake improvement. Answer: The process of
enhancing a client's diet to address deficiencies, particularly in cases
of malnutrition.
◉ Immediate safety action. Answer: The first priority action taken to
ensure the safety of a client, such as stopping feeding in the event of
aspiration.
◉ Assessment of tolerance. Answer: The evaluation of how well a
client is able to handle enteral feedings, often assessed through
gastric residual volumes.
,◉ Invasive interventions. Answer: Medical procedures that involve
entering the body, often requiring more significant risk and
monitoring.
◉ Bolus feeding. Answer: A method of enteral feeding that delivers a
large volume of nutrition at once, as opposed to continuous feeding.
◉ Checking gastric residuals. Answer: The practice of measuring the
volume of fluid remaining in the stomach to assess the tolerance of
enteral feeding.
◉ Nutritional assessment. Answer: The process of evaluating a
client's dietary intake and nutritional status to guide interventions.
◉ Coughing during feeding. Answer: A potential sign of aspiration
that requires immediate action to stop feeding and protect the
airway.
◉ Serum albumin. Answer: A laboratory value used to assess a
client's long-term protein status.
◉ High-protein oral supplements. Answer: Nutritional products
designed to increase protein intake for clients with malnutrition.
, ◉ Delayed gastric emptying. Answer: A condition where the
stomach takes longer than normal to empty its contents, which can
affect feeding strategies.
◉ Nutritional interventions. Answer: Actions taken to improve a
client's nutritional status, such as dietary changes or
supplementation.
◉ Prealbumin (transthyretin). Answer: A protein with a short half-
life (~2 days) that reflects recent changes in protein-calorie status.
◉ Hemoglobin A1c. Answer: A measure of glycemic control over a
period of time.
◉ Total cholesterol. Answer: A measure of all cholesterol in the
blood, unrelated to short-term protein status.
◉ Dysphagia. Answer: Difficulty swallowing, often requiring a
modified-texture diet.
◉ Thickened liquids. Answer: Liquids that have been modified to
reduce aspiration risk for clients with dysphagia.
