NUR 101 | NUR 101 Nursing Fundamentals Exam 3
Version 1 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Saint Paul’s
School of Nursing
1. Which laboratory result is the most sensitive indicator of a patient’s current, acute
nutritional status?
A. Serum Albumin
B. Serum Prealbumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Serum Creatinine
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Prealbumin has a very short half-life of approximately two
days, making it ideal for monitoring acute changes. Serum albumin has a much
longer half-life of about 21 days and is used for chronic status. A decline in
prealbumin can warn the nurse of malnutrition before physical signs appear. This
measurement allows for rapid evaluation of the effectiveness of nutritional support.
Nurses should prioritize this value when assessing the impact of a new diet plan.
2. When assessing a patient with dysphagia, which nursing intervention is most
effective in preventing aspiration during mealtime?
A. Encouraging the patient to use a straw
,B. Positioning the patient in a semi-Fowler’s position
C. Providing thin liquids to make swallowing easier
D. Instructing the patient to perform the chin-tuck maneuver
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The chin-tuck maneuver helps close the airway and prevent
food from entering the trachea. Using straws is often discouraged as it can increase
the risk of aspiration in dysphagic patients. Patients should be positioned in a high-
Fowler’s position, not semi-Fowler’s, during meals to maximize safety. Thin liquids
are more difficult to control than thickened liquids and pose a higher risk. This
specialized technique is a primary intervention for safe swallowing during nursing
care.
3. A patient is prescribed a clear liquid diet post-surgery. Which item should the nurse
remove from the patient’s tray?
A. Orange juice with pulp
B. Chicken broth
C. Apple juice
D. Gelatin
Correct Answer: A
,Expert Explanation: A clear liquid diet consists of foods that are transparent and
liquid at room temperature. Orange juice with pulp contains solids and is
considered part of a full liquid diet. Apple juice, broth, and gelatin are all acceptable
because they leave no residue in the GI tract. This diet is typically used to rest the
bowels or prepare for diagnostic tests. The nurse must verify that all items on the
tray meet the ‘clear’ requirement for patient safety.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer an intermittent enteral feeding through a
nasogastric (NG) tube. What is the priority action?
A. Verifying tube placement via pH testing or X-ray
B. Checking for gastric residual volume
C. Flushing the tube with 30 mL of air
D. Warming the formula to body temperature
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Verifying correct tube placement is the most critical safety
step to prevent pulmonary aspiration of formula. While checking residuals is
important, it does not confirm the tube is in the stomach. pH testing provides a
bedside assessment of acidity to suggest gastric placement. X-ray remains the gold
standard for confirmation of the initial tube position. Documentation of placement
verification is a mandatory part of safe enteral nutrition administration.
, 5. A patient receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is at high risk for which
metabolic complication?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: TPN solutions contain high concentrations of dextrose, which
can significantly elevate blood glucose levels. The nurse must monitor the patient’s
blood glucose every 4 to 6 hours as per protocol. If the pancreas cannot produce
enough insulin to handle the glucose load, supplemental insulin may be required.
Sudden discontinuation of TPN can lead to the opposite effect, which is rebound
hypoglycemia. Careful monitoring of metabolic labs is essential for patients
receiving parenteral support.
6. What is the most common cause of a clogged enteral feeding tube?
A. Using cold formula
B. Feeding at too slow of a rate
C. Inadequate flushing before and after medication administration
Version 1 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Saint Paul’s
School of Nursing
1. Which laboratory result is the most sensitive indicator of a patient’s current, acute
nutritional status?
A. Serum Albumin
B. Serum Prealbumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Serum Creatinine
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Prealbumin has a very short half-life of approximately two
days, making it ideal for monitoring acute changes. Serum albumin has a much
longer half-life of about 21 days and is used for chronic status. A decline in
prealbumin can warn the nurse of malnutrition before physical signs appear. This
measurement allows for rapid evaluation of the effectiveness of nutritional support.
Nurses should prioritize this value when assessing the impact of a new diet plan.
2. When assessing a patient with dysphagia, which nursing intervention is most
effective in preventing aspiration during mealtime?
A. Encouraging the patient to use a straw
,B. Positioning the patient in a semi-Fowler’s position
C. Providing thin liquids to make swallowing easier
D. Instructing the patient to perform the chin-tuck maneuver
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The chin-tuck maneuver helps close the airway and prevent
food from entering the trachea. Using straws is often discouraged as it can increase
the risk of aspiration in dysphagic patients. Patients should be positioned in a high-
Fowler’s position, not semi-Fowler’s, during meals to maximize safety. Thin liquids
are more difficult to control than thickened liquids and pose a higher risk. This
specialized technique is a primary intervention for safe swallowing during nursing
care.
3. A patient is prescribed a clear liquid diet post-surgery. Which item should the nurse
remove from the patient’s tray?
A. Orange juice with pulp
B. Chicken broth
C. Apple juice
D. Gelatin
Correct Answer: A
,Expert Explanation: A clear liquid diet consists of foods that are transparent and
liquid at room temperature. Orange juice with pulp contains solids and is
considered part of a full liquid diet. Apple juice, broth, and gelatin are all acceptable
because they leave no residue in the GI tract. This diet is typically used to rest the
bowels or prepare for diagnostic tests. The nurse must verify that all items on the
tray meet the ‘clear’ requirement for patient safety.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer an intermittent enteral feeding through a
nasogastric (NG) tube. What is the priority action?
A. Verifying tube placement via pH testing or X-ray
B. Checking for gastric residual volume
C. Flushing the tube with 30 mL of air
D. Warming the formula to body temperature
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Verifying correct tube placement is the most critical safety
step to prevent pulmonary aspiration of formula. While checking residuals is
important, it does not confirm the tube is in the stomach. pH testing provides a
bedside assessment of acidity to suggest gastric placement. X-ray remains the gold
standard for confirmation of the initial tube position. Documentation of placement
verification is a mandatory part of safe enteral nutrition administration.
, 5. A patient receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is at high risk for which
metabolic complication?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: TPN solutions contain high concentrations of dextrose, which
can significantly elevate blood glucose levels. The nurse must monitor the patient’s
blood glucose every 4 to 6 hours as per protocol. If the pancreas cannot produce
enough insulin to handle the glucose load, supplemental insulin may be required.
Sudden discontinuation of TPN can lead to the opposite effect, which is rebound
hypoglycemia. Careful monitoring of metabolic labs is essential for patients
receiving parenteral support.
6. What is the most common cause of a clogged enteral feeding tube?
A. Using cold formula
B. Feeding at too slow of a rate
C. Inadequate flushing before and after medication administration
