Healthy Eating
A nurse is educating a group of patients about a healthy diet. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
a. A healthy diet eliminates fats entirely.
b. A healthy diet provides enough essential nutrients to prevent deficiencies and excesses.
c. A healthy diet focuses only on calorie restriction.
d. A healthy diet does not impact chronic disease risk.
Answer: b. A healthy diet provides enough essential nutrients to prevent deficiencies and excesses.
Rationale: A healthy diet ensures adequate intake of nutrients while avoiding excessive amounts that may lead to toxicity or chronic diseases.
A nurse is educating a client about carbohydrates. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen."
b. "Simple carbohydrates contain only one or two sugar molecules."
c. "Carbohydrates do not provide energy to the body."
d. "Complex carbohydrates contain many sugar molecules."
Answer: c. "Carbohydrates do not provide energy to the body."
Rationale: Carbohydrates are a major source of energy for the body. They provide calories and are essential for proper body function.
A nurse is teaching a patient about essential amino acids. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "Essential amino acids must be obtained through the diet."
b. "There are 11 essential amino acids."
c. "Leucine is an example of an essential amino acid."
d. "The body cannot synthesize essential amino acids."
Answer: b. "There are 11 essential amino acids."
Rationale: There are only 9 essential amino acids that must be obtained from the diet because the body cannot synthesize them.
A nurse is educating a patient about lipids. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "Lipids include triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols."
b. "All fats are bad for my health and should be avoided."
c. "Unsaturated fats are generally healthier than saturated fats."
d. "Cholesterol is a type of sterol found in animal products."
Answer: b. "All fats are bad for my health and should be avoided."
Rationale: While excessive intake of saturated and trans fats can be harmful, unsaturated fats (such as those in olive oil and nuts) provide essential health benefits and should be included in moderation.
A patient asks the nurse why vitamin C is considered an antioxidant. What is the best response?
a. "It helps prevent excessive weight gain."
b. "It protects cells from damage caused by free radicals."
c. "It speeds up digestion of fats and proteins."
d. "It enhances the absorption of vitamin D."
Answer: b. "It protects cells from damage caused by free radicals."
Rationale: Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene function as antioxidants, protecting body cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Which of the following chronic diseases is associated with dietary excesses? (Select all that apply.)
a. Heart disease
b. Stroke
c. Osteoporosis
d. Diabetes
Answer: a. Heart disease, b. Stroke, d. Diabetes
Rationale: These conditions are linked to poor dietary habits and excessive intake of unhealthy foods. Osteoporosis is more related to calcium and vitamin D deficiency.
Which of the following is considered a monosaccharide? (Select all that apply.)
a. Glucose
b. Sucrose
c. Fructose
d. Lactose
Answer: a. Glucose, c. Fructose
Rationale: Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, including glucose, fructose, and galactose. Sucrose and lactose are disaccharides
Which of the following is NOT a function of protein in the body?
a. Providing structure to body tissues
b. Serving as enzymes and hormones
c. Providing an immediate energy source before carbohydrates
d. Helping maintain acid-base balance
Answer: c. Providing an immediate energy source before carbohydrates
Rationale: The primary function of protein is tissue building and repair, while carbohydrates serve as the body's first source of energy. Protein is used for energy only when carbohydrate and fat intake is insufficient.
Which of the following is a characteristic of unsaturated fats?
a. They are solid at room temperature.
b. They raise LDL cholesterol levels.
c. They contain one or more double bonds.
d. They are only found in animal products.
Answer: c. They contain one or more double bonds.
Rationale: Unsaturated fats have one (monounsaturated) or multiple (polyunsaturated) double bonds in their structure. They are usually liquid at room temperature and are found in plant-based oils and fish.
Which fat-soluble vitamin is important for blood clotting?
a. Vitamin A
b. Vitamin D
c. Vitamin E
d. Vitamin K
Answer: d. Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of prothrombin, a key factor in blood clotting.
What is the purpose of the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)?
a. To serve as a daily intake recommendation
b. To provide a minimum intake level to prevent deficiencies
c. To establish the highest intake level unlikely to cause harm
d. To recommend the amount of food to consume
Answer: c. To establish the highest intake level unlikely to cause harm
Rationale: UL represents the maximum daily intake unlikely to result in adverse health effects. It is not a recommended intake level.
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the body?
a. To build muscle mass
b. To provide energy for cells
c. To store fat
d. To regulate body temperature
Answer: b. To provide energy for cells
Rationale: The main function of carbohydrates is to serve as a primary source of energy for the body's cells, particularly the brain.
The process of protein digestion begins in the:
a. Mouth
b. Stomach
c. Small intestine
d. Liver
Answer: b. Stomach
Rationale: Protein digestion begins in the stomach, where hydrochloric acid activates pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down protein into smaller peptides.
A nurse is explaining the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats. Which food contains mostly saturated fat?
a. Avocados
b. Olive oil
c. Butter
d. Walnuts
Answer: c. Butter
Rationale: Saturated fats are found in animal products such as butter, lard, and fatty cuts of meat. They are solid at room temperature and can raise LDL cholesterol levels
Which statement about vitamin D is correct?
a. "Vitamin D is synthesized in the kidneys."
b. "Vitamin D is essential for calcium and phosphorus absorption."
c. "Vitamin D is only found in plant-based foods."
d. "A vitamin D deficiency does not affect bone health."
Answer: b. "Vitamin D is essential for calcium and phosphorus absorption."
Rationale: Vitamin D plays a key role in maintaining calcium and phosphorus levels, which are crucial for bone health and preventing conditions like rickets and osteomalacia.
Which of the following is NOT a key message of MyPlate?
a. Increase intake of fruits and vegetables
b. Reduce consumption of saturated fats and trans fats
c. Consume alcohol in large amounts for heart health
d. Balance calorie intake with physical activity
Answer: c. Consume alcohol in large amounts for heart health
Rationale: MyPlate recommends moderation in alcohol consumption, if consumed at all, and emphasizes healthy food choices.
A nurse is discussing glycogen with a client. Which of the following statements is true?
a. "Glycogen is the plant version of starch."
b. "Glycogen is stored in the body and helps maintain blood glucose levels."
c. "Glycogen is a dietary source of carbohydrates."
d. "Glycogen is classified as a disaccharide."
Answer: b. "Glycogen is stored in the body and helps maintain blood glucose levels."
Rationale: Glycogen is the storage form of glucose in animals, including humans. It is stored in the liver and muscles to help maintain blood glucose levels.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a protein deficiency. Which of the following conditions is most likely related to protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)?
a. Hypertension
b. Osteoporosis
c. Kwashiorkor
d. Hyperglycemia
Answer: c. Kwashiorkor
Rationale: Kwashiorkor is a form of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) that occurs in individuals with severe protein deficiency, often seen in children with adequate calorie intake but inadequate protein intake.
A patient asks the nurse why trans fats should be avoided. The best response is:
a. "Trans fats help lower LDL cholesterol levels."
b. "Trans fats are necessary for brain function."
c. "Trans fats raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol."
d. "Trans fats help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins."
Answer: c. "Trans fats raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol."
Rationale: Trans fats increase bad (LDL) cholesterol and decrease good (HDL) cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart disease.
A pregnant woman asks the nurse why folic acid is important. The best response is:
a. "It prevents excessive weight gain during pregnancy."
b. "It reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus."
c. "It helps lower blood sugar levels."
d. "It eliminates morning sickness."
Answer: b. "It reduces the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus."
Rationale: Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. Adequate intake before and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida.
Which strategy is recommended to help consumers make healthier food choices?
a. Encouraging reliance on dietary supplements
b. Providing MyPlate as a visual aid for balanced eating
c. Eliminating all fats from the diet
d. Avoiding all carbohydrates
Answer: b. Providing MyPlate as a visual aid for balanced eating
Rationale: MyPlate helps consumers understand portion sizes and food group distribution for a balanced diet.
A client who follows a low-carbohydrate diet is at risk for which of the following conditions?
a. Ketosis
b. Hyperglycemia
c. Increased protein synthesis
d. Decreased fat oxidation
Answer: a. Ketosis
Rationale: Without enough carbohydrates, the body begins to break down fat for energy, leading to the production of ketone bodies, which can cause ketosis.
A patient is in a negative nitrogen balance. Which of the following conditions could be the cause?
a. Pregnancy
b. Growth spurt in an adolescent
c. Severe burns
d. Healing from an injury
Answer: c. Severe burns
Rationale: Negative nitrogen balance occurs when protein breakdown exceeds protein synthesis, which happens during severe illness, trauma, or burns. In contrast, pregnancy and growth spurts promote positive nitrogen balance.
A patient is trying to increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Which food should the nurse recommend?
a. Beef
b. Whole milk
c. Salmon
d. White bread
Answer: c. Salmon
Rationale: Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines. They support heart health and reduce inflammation.
A patient with alcohol use disorder is at risk for which vitamin deficiency?
a. Vitamin C
b. Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
c. Vitamin D
d. Biotin
Answer: b. Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
Rationale: Thiamin deficiency is common in individuals with chronic alcohol use and can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a neurological disorder.