Nursing Nutrition Comprehensive Review
Complete Study Guide with NGN-Style Questions
Evidence-Based Nutrition for Nursing Practice
Includes Next Generation NCLEX Item Types
1. Nutritional Assessment and Screening
Question 1:
Which anthropometric measurement is most useful for assessing protein-calorie
malnutrition over time?
A) Body Mass Index (BMI)
B) Waist circumference
C) Mid-arm muscle circumference
D) Triceps skinfold thickness
Answer: C) Mid-arm muscle circumference
Mid-arm muscle circumference reflects protein stores and muscle mass, making it
useful for assessing protein-calorie malnutrition. While BMI is useful for general
nutritional status, MAMC specifically indicates muscle wasting over time.
Question 2:
A client has the following lab values: Albumin 2.8 g/dL, Prealbumin 12 mg/dL, Total
lymphocyte count 1200/mm³. These results indicate:
A) Normal nutritional status
B) Mild malnutrition
C) Moderate malnutrition
D) Severe malnutrition
Answer: C) Moderate malnutrition
Normal albumin is 3.5-5.0 g/dL (this patient 2.8 = moderate malnutrition),
prealbumin normal is 15-40 mg/dL (12 = mild-moderate malnutrition), TLC normal
>2000/mm³ (1200 = moderate depletion). Prealbumin is better for acute changes as it
has shorter half-life than albumin.
Question 3 (NGN - Matrix/Grid):
For each nutritional screening tool, indicate whether it's appropriate for use in
Hospital, Long-term Care, or Community settings by selecting all that apply:
Screening Tool Hospital Long-term Car
Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) ☐ ☐
, Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) ☐ ☐
Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) ☐ ☐
Answer:
• MNA: Long-term Care ✓, Community ✓
• MST: Hospital ✓
• SGA: Hospital ✓, Long-term Care ✓
MNA is designed for elderly patients in community and long-term care settings. MST
is a quick hospital screening tool. SGA is comprehensive and used in hospitals and
long-term care for detailed nutritional assessment.
NUTRITION TIP: BMI Categories - Underweight <18.5, Normal 18.5-24.9,
Overweight 25-29.9, Obese ≥30
2. Macronutrients and Micronutrients
Question 4:
The recommended daily protein intake for a healthy adult is:
A) 0.4 g/kg/day
B) 0.8 g/kg/day
C) 1.5 g/kg/day
D) 2.0 g/kg/day
Answer: B) 0.8 g/kg/day
The RDA for protein is 0.8 g/kg/day for healthy adults. Requirements increase for
wound healing (1.2-1.5 g/kg), burns (1.5-2.0 g/kg), dialysis (1.2 g/kg), and critical
illness. Protein needs are calculated based on actual or adjusted body weight.
Question 5:
A client with pernicious anemia requires supplementation with:
A) Folic acid
B) Iron
C) Vitamin B12
D) Vitamin C
Answer: C) Vitamin B12
Pernicious anemia results from lack of intrinsic factor needed for vitamin B12
absorption. Requires lifelong B12 supplementation, usually via injection or high-dose
oral/sublingual forms. Symptoms include fatigue, neurological changes, and
megaloblastic anemia.
Question 6 (NGN - Drop-down/Cloze):
Complete Study Guide with NGN-Style Questions
Evidence-Based Nutrition for Nursing Practice
Includes Next Generation NCLEX Item Types
1. Nutritional Assessment and Screening
Question 1:
Which anthropometric measurement is most useful for assessing protein-calorie
malnutrition over time?
A) Body Mass Index (BMI)
B) Waist circumference
C) Mid-arm muscle circumference
D) Triceps skinfold thickness
Answer: C) Mid-arm muscle circumference
Mid-arm muscle circumference reflects protein stores and muscle mass, making it
useful for assessing protein-calorie malnutrition. While BMI is useful for general
nutritional status, MAMC specifically indicates muscle wasting over time.
Question 2:
A client has the following lab values: Albumin 2.8 g/dL, Prealbumin 12 mg/dL, Total
lymphocyte count 1200/mm³. These results indicate:
A) Normal nutritional status
B) Mild malnutrition
C) Moderate malnutrition
D) Severe malnutrition
Answer: C) Moderate malnutrition
Normal albumin is 3.5-5.0 g/dL (this patient 2.8 = moderate malnutrition),
prealbumin normal is 15-40 mg/dL (12 = mild-moderate malnutrition), TLC normal
>2000/mm³ (1200 = moderate depletion). Prealbumin is better for acute changes as it
has shorter half-life than albumin.
Question 3 (NGN - Matrix/Grid):
For each nutritional screening tool, indicate whether it's appropriate for use in
Hospital, Long-term Care, or Community settings by selecting all that apply:
Screening Tool Hospital Long-term Car
Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) ☐ ☐
, Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) ☐ ☐
Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) ☐ ☐
Answer:
• MNA: Long-term Care ✓, Community ✓
• MST: Hospital ✓
• SGA: Hospital ✓, Long-term Care ✓
MNA is designed for elderly patients in community and long-term care settings. MST
is a quick hospital screening tool. SGA is comprehensive and used in hospitals and
long-term care for detailed nutritional assessment.
NUTRITION TIP: BMI Categories - Underweight <18.5, Normal 18.5-24.9,
Overweight 25-29.9, Obese ≥30
2. Macronutrients and Micronutrients
Question 4:
The recommended daily protein intake for a healthy adult is:
A) 0.4 g/kg/day
B) 0.8 g/kg/day
C) 1.5 g/kg/day
D) 2.0 g/kg/day
Answer: B) 0.8 g/kg/day
The RDA for protein is 0.8 g/kg/day for healthy adults. Requirements increase for
wound healing (1.2-1.5 g/kg), burns (1.5-2.0 g/kg), dialysis (1.2 g/kg), and critical
illness. Protein needs are calculated based on actual or adjusted body weight.
Question 5:
A client with pernicious anemia requires supplementation with:
A) Folic acid
B) Iron
C) Vitamin B12
D) Vitamin C
Answer: C) Vitamin B12
Pernicious anemia results from lack of intrinsic factor needed for vitamin B12
absorption. Requires lifelong B12 supplementation, usually via injection or high-dose
oral/sublingual forms. Symptoms include fatigue, neurological changes, and
megaloblastic anemia.
Question 6 (NGN - Drop-down/Cloze):
