Terms
The process your body uses to convert food into energy
Metabolism
Diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.
Mediterranean Diet
What is the primary function of proteins?
Tissue building and repairing
What is the vitamin that increased iron absorption?
Vitamin C
A patient who has had a stroke is diagnosed with dysphagia. Which diet modification should the nurse anticipate?
A. Low-sodium diet
B. Mechanical soft diet
C. High-fiber diet
D. Clear liquid diet
B. Mechanical Soft. A mechanical soft diet includes foods that are easy to chew and swallow, reducing the risk of aspiration in patients with dysphagia.
Includes all food groups in the right proportion.
Balanced Diet
Diet that is plant based, excludes some or all animal products
Vegetarian/Vegan Diet
This macronutrient is the body’s primary source of energy and provides 4 kcal per gram.
Carbohydrates
This mineral is essential for healthy bones and teeth, and works closely with Vitamin D.
Calcium (Ca+)
A patient reports fatigue and pallor. Lab results indicate low hemoglobin. Which nutrient deficiency is most likely?
A. Calcium
B. Vitamin C
C. Iron
D. Vitamin D
C. Iron. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, fatigue, and pallor because iron is needed for hemoglobin production.
Fat like substance found in animal products, high levels can increase heart disease risk
Cholesterol
This diet includes foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and ground meats.
Mechanical Soft
This macronutrient provides 9 kcal per gram and helps with hormone production, insulation, and energy storage.
Fats (lipids)
This B vitamin must be given by injection in pernicious anemia because the body cannot absorb it without intrinsic factor.
Vitamin B12
A patient with congestive heart failure (CHF) is prescribed a heart-healthy diet. Which food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Oatmeal
B. Fresh fruit
C. Bacon
D. Baked chicken
C. Bacon. Heart-healthy diets limit saturated fat and sodium. Bacon is high in both and should be avoided.
Minerals that help regulate fluid balance and nerve function.
Electrolytes
his diet limits saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol while emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Heart Healthy
These building blocks make up proteins and are essential for growth and tissue repair.
Amino Acids
This mineral regulates fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals, but is restricted in many renal diets.
Potassium (K+)
A nurse is teaching a patient about simple vs. complex carbohydrates. Which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding?
A. “Simple carbs provide steady energy throughout the day.”
B. “Complex carbs cause a rapid spike in blood sugar.”
C. “Complex carbs are digested slowly and provide fiber.”
D. “Simple carbs are the best choice for people with diabetes.”
C. “Complex carbs are digested slowly and provide fiber.” Complex carbohydrates digest slowly, provide steady energy, and are higher in fiber. Simple carbs cause rapid blood sugar spikes.
Condition from eating to little or too much of one or more nutrients; can lead to health problems.
Malnutrition
This diet is often prescribed for kidney disease and usually restricts sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein.
Renal Diet
This type of carbohydrate, found in fruits and candy, is digested quickly and causes rapid spikes in blood sugar.
This fat-soluble vitamin is needed for blood clotting and can be affected by prolonged use of antibiotics.
Vitamin K
A patient is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via a central line. Which nursing intervention is most important?
A. Administering the TPN as a bolus
B. Monitoring for signs of infection at the insertion site
C. Encouraging the patient to eat regular meals
D. Restricting fluids
B. Monitoring for signs of infection at the insertion site. TPN delivered via a central line carries a high risk of infection. Monitoring for redness, swelling, or discharge is a priority.
Nutrition given via IV when GI tract is not function. Administered through a central line.
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
This diet provides nutrients via liquid nutrition through a tube when patients cannot safely swallow.
Enteral Nutrition (tube feeding)
This type of fat should be limited in the diet because it raises LDL cholesterol and increases cardiovascular risk.
Saturated fats (or trans fats)
A deficiency of this mineral can lead to anemia, fatigue, and pallor; it’s found in red meat, spinach, and fortified cereals.
Iron (Fe)
A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a renal diet. Which of the following foods would the nurse recommend as appropriate options? (Select all that apply.)
A. White rice
B. Bananas
C. Apple slices
D. Baked chicken
E. Spinach
White rice, C. Apple slices, D. Baked chicken. A renal diet restricts potassium, phosphorus, and sometimes protein. White rice and apple slices are low in potassium and phosphorus, and baked chicken is a moderate-protein option. Bananas and spinach are high in potassium and often limited in a renal diet.