Healthy Eating for Babies
A pregnant woman is concerned about her diet and wants to prevent neural tube defects in her baby. What recommendation should the nurse provide?
A. Consume 200 µg of synthetic folic acid daily
B. Take 400 µg of synthetic folic acid daily before pregnancy
C. Increase iron intake to 50 mg/day before conception
D. Avoid taking any supplements before pregnancy
Correct Answer: B. Take 400 µg of synthetic folic acid daily before pregnancy
Rationale: Studies have shown that taking 400 µg of synthetic folic acid before pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
A mother is concerned about her 6-month-old infant’s nutritional needs. The nurse should recommend which of the following as the first solid food to introduce?
A) Mashed vegetables
B) Iron-fortified cereal
C) Pureed meats
D) Fruit juice
Correct Answer: B) Iron-fortified cereal
Rationale: Iron-fortified cereal is typically the first solid food introduced to infants around 6 months of age to provide an essential source of iron. Introducing single-ingredient foods one at a time helps assess tolerance.
A nurse is counseling an adolescent female about nutrition. Which statement by the adolescent indicates a need for further teaching?
A) “I should increase my calcium intake for bone health.”
B) “Skipping breakfast is okay as long as I eat later in the day.”
C) “I need more iron now that I have started menstruating.”
D) “Soft drinks don’t provide essential nutrients.”
Correct Answer: B) “Skipping breakfast is okay as long as I eat later in the day.”
Rationale: Skipping breakfast can lead to lower intake of essential vitamins and minerals, affecting overall health and energy levels.
1. A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about healthy aging. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
a. "Calorie needs increase as you age."
b. "It is too late to benefit from healthy changes after age 60."
c. "Preventing disease through good nutrition and exercise is key to healthy aging."
d. "Older adults should consume fewer vitamins and minerals."
Correct Answer:
c. "Preventing disease through good nutrition and exercise is key to healthy aging."
Rationale: Healthy aging is supported by good nutrition and exercise, even when started later in life. Caloric needs decrease with age, but nutrient requirements often remain the same or increase.
A nurse is caring for a client receiving continuous enteral tube feedings. Which action should the nurse take to prevent complications?
A. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30–45 degrees
B. Flush the feeding tube with sterile water every 8 hours
C. Check gastric residual volume every 6 hours regardless of hospital policy
D. Administer the feeding as a rapid bolus to promote absorption
Correct Answer: A. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30–45 degrees
Rationale:
Keeping the head of the bed elevated helps prevent aspiration, which is a major risk with enteral feeding. Flushing with water is important, but it should typically be done before and after feedings to prevent clogging. Checking gastric residual volume should be done per facility policy. Bolus feedings should not be given too rapidly, as this can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
A nurse is counseling an obese pregnant woman about appropriate weight gain during pregnancy. What is the recommended weight gain range for an obese woman according to CDC guidelines?
A. 11–20 pounds
B. 25–35 pounds
C. 28–40 pounds
D. 15–25 pounds
Correct Answer: A. 11–20 pounds
Rationale: Obese women should gain between 11–20 pounds during pregnancy to minimize risks such as gestational diabetes and large-for-gestational-age infants.
A nurse is teaching new parents about feeding their infant. Which statement by a parent indicates the need for further teaching?
A) “I will exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months.”
B) “I can give my baby fruit juice starting at 4 months.”
C) “I should avoid putting my baby to bed with a bottle.”
D) “I will introduce peanut-containing foods between 4-11 months.”
Correct Answer: B) “I can give my baby fruit juice starting at 4 months.”
Rationale: Fruit juice is no longer considered essential for infant nutrition and should be avoided in infants under 12 months due to its high sugar content and risk of dental caries.
A nurse is reviewing the dietary habits of a school-age child. Which of the following findings should concern the nurse?
A) The child eats meals with the family.
B) The child drinks sweetened beverages daily.
C) The child consumes vegetables and fruits regularly.
D) The child eats three balanced meals per day.
Correct Answer: B) The child drinks sweetened beverages daily.
Rationale: Frequent consumption of sweetened beverages can contribute to obesity, dental caries, and inadequate intake of essential nutrients.
A nurse is caring for an older adult who reports decreased appetite and difficulty chewing. Which nutrient is the patient most at risk for being deficient in?
a. Vitamin C
b. Protein
c. Iron
d. Potassium
Correct Answer:
b. Protein
Rationale: Older adults may have difficulty consuming adequate protein due to chewing difficulties, changes in digestion, or decreased overall food intake.
A nurse is assessing a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via a central line. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood glucose level of 180 mg/dL
B. A weight gain of 2 lbs (0.9 kg) over a week
C. A reddened, warm area at the central line insertion site
D. Complaints of hunger after infusion begins
Correct Answer: C. A reddened, warm area at the central line insertion site
Rationale:
Redness and warmth at the central line insertion site may indicate infection, which is a serious complication of TPN. Hyperglycemia (glucose 180 mg/dL) is common but should be monitored and managed with insulin if needed. Gradual weight gain is expected with TPN, and hunger typically subsides as the client’s body adjusts to the feeding.
A woman in her second trimester asks about calorie intake. How many additional calories should a normal-weight pregnant woman consume in the second trimester?
A. 150 calories/day
B. 220 calories/day
C. 340 calories/day
D. 500 calories/day
Correct Answer: C. 340 calories/day
Rationale: In the second trimester, a normal-weight pregnant woman needs approximately 340 extra calories per day to support fetal growth.
Which of the following infants is at the highest risk for iron deficiency?
A) A breastfed infant supplemented with iron drops
B) A formula-fed infant consuming iron-fortified formula
C) A 9-month-old exclusively breastfed infant without iron supplementation
D) A 6-month-old receiving iron-fortified cereal
Correct Answer: C) A 9-month-old exclusively breastfed infant without iron supplementation
Rationale: By 6 months of age, iron stores from birth decrease, and breast milk alone does not provide sufficient iron. Iron-rich foods or supplements are necessary to prevent deficiency.
The nurse is providing guidance on obesity prevention in school-aged children. Which recommendation is most appropriate?
A) “Encourage at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.”
B) “Restrict all fats from the child’s diet.”
C) “Allow the child to eat whenever they feel hungry.”
D) “Offer only low-calorie foods to prevent weight gain.”
Correct Answer: A) “Encourage at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.”
Rationale: Physical activity plays a crucial role in preventing obesity. A balanced diet, rather than extreme food restrictions, is also important.
A nurse is screening older adults for risk factors for malnutrition. Which of the following individuals is at greatest risk?
a. A 70-year-old married woman who eats three meals a day.
b. A 65-year-old man who lives alone and has a low income.
c. A 75-year-old woman who exercises daily and eats a balanced diet.
d. An 80-year-old man who takes a daily multivitamin.
Correct Answer:
b. A 65-year-old man who lives alone and has a low income.
Rationale: Older adults at greatest risk of malnutrition are those who live alone, have low income, or have limited access to nutritious food.
A client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is scheduled to begin enteral feedings. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Stop the TPN infusion immediately and start full-strength enteral feeding
B. Reduce TPN infusion rate gradually while introducing enteral feeding
C. Discontinue the TPN once the client tolerates 250 mL of enteral feeding
D. Start enteral feedings at full rate while maintaining the same TPN rate
Correct Answer: B. Reduce TPN infusion rate gradually while introducing enteral feeding
Rationale:
TPN should not be stopped abruptly due to the risk of hypoglycemia. The best approach is to gradually decrease TPN while increasing enteral feedings to allow the gastrointestinal (GI) system to adjust.
A nurse is educating a pregnant client about food safety. Which food should she avoid to reduce the risk of listeriosis?
A. Freshly cooked fish
B. Raw sprouts
C. Pasteurized dairy products
D. Well-cooked eggs
Correct Answer: B. Raw sprouts
Rationale: Pregnant women should avoid raw sprouts, unpasteurized dairy, raw or undercooked meats, and deli meats that haven’t been reheated due to the risk of listeriosis.
A nurse is educating parents about the risk of choking in toddlers. Which of the following foods should be avoided?
A) Scrambled eggs
B) Cooked peas
C) Whole grapes
D) Mashed bananas
Correct Answer: C) Whole grapes
Rationale: Whole grapes pose a choking hazard for young children. Foods should be cut into small, manageable pieces to reduce choking risk.
Which adolescent is at the highest risk for iron deficiency anemia?
A) A 14-year-old male with increased muscle mass
B) A 16-year-old female who has heavy menstrual periods
C) A 12-year-old male who drinks milk with every meal
D) A 15-year-old female who consumes lean meats and leafy greens
Correct Answer: B) A 16-year-old female who has heavy menstrual periods
Rationale: Adolescent females are at increased risk for iron deficiency due to blood loss during menstruation. They require higher iron intake to compensate.
. A nurse is caring for an older adult with osteoporosis. Which dietary recommendation is most appropriate?
a. "Increase your intake of vitamin C-rich foods."
b. "Eat more foods high in vitamin D and calcium."
c. "Avoid dairy products to prevent inflammation."
d. "Decrease your protein intake to protect bone health."
Correct Answer:
b. "Eat more foods high in vitamin D and calcium."
Rationale: Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health, especially in older adults with osteoporosis.
A nurse is preparing to administer the first enteral feeding via a newly placed nasogastric (NG) tube. Which method is the most reliable for confirming correct tube placement?
A. Auscultating for a "whooshing" sound after injecting air into the tube
B. Checking pH of gastric aspirate and ensuring it is below 5
C. Measuring tube length and comparing it to previous documentation
D. Obtaining a chest X-ray before initiating the feeding
Correct Answer: D. Obtaining a chest X-ray before initiating the feeding
Rationale:
Chest X-ray is the gold standard for confirming NG tube placement before the first use. Auscultation of air over the stomach is unreliable. Checking gastric pH (<5) is a secondary verification method but is not definitive. Tube length measurement helps monitor displacement but does not confirm initial placement.
Which statement by a pregnant woman indicates the need for further teaching about iron intake?
A. "I need to take 27 mg of iron daily during pregnancy."
B. "If I am anemic, I may need additional iron supplements."
C. "Drinking orange juice with my iron supplement can help absorption."
D. "Taking my iron with milk will help increase absorption."
Correct Answer: D. "Taking my iron with milk will help increase absorption."
Rationale: Calcium in milk interferes with iron absorption. Instead, vitamin C (such as from orange juice) enhances absorption.
A nurse is assessing a 1-year-old child. The parent expresses concern about the child’s decreased appetite. What is the best response by the nurse?
A) “This is concerning. We may need to run tests for nutritional deficiencies.”
B) “This is normal. It’s called physiologic anorexia, and it happens due to slower growth.”
C) “Try giving your child only the foods they prefer to encourage eating.”
D) “Offer frequent high-calorie snacks throughout the day.”
Correct Answer: B) “This is normal. It’s called physiologic anorexia, and it happens due to slower growth.”
Rationale: Between ages 1-2, growth slows down, leading to a decreased appetite known as physiologic anorexia. Parents should be reassured and encouraged to provide a balanced diet.
A nurse is educating a pregnant adolescent about nutritional needs. Which statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) “I don’t need to gain much weight since I’m still growing.”
B) “I should avoid dairy because it’s high in fat.”
C) “I need more calcium to support my baby’s bone development.”
D) “Skipping meals will help me maintain a healthy weight.”
Correct Answer: C) “I need more calcium to support my baby’s bone development.”
Rationale: Pregnant adolescents require higher calcium intake to support fetal bone growth, as well as their own growing bodies.
A nurse is educating an older adult on hydration. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
a. "I need less water as I age because my body retains fluids better."
b. "I should drink fluids regularly, even if I don't feel thirsty."
c. "Dehydration is uncommon in older adults."
d. "Drinking more coffee and tea will help me stay hydrated."
Correct Answer:
b. "I should drink fluids regularly, even if I don't feel thirsty."
Rationale: Older adults have an altered sense of thirst and are at increased risk of dehydration.
A nurse is discontinuing a client’s total parenteral nutrition (TPN) after five days of therapy. Which action is most important to prevent complications?
A. Stop the TPN infusion immediately and flush the line
B. Decrease the TPN infusion rate gradually over several hours
C. Switch the client to a full-liquid diet immediately
D. Monitor potassium levels closely after stopping TPN
Correct Answer: B. Decrease the TPN infusion rate gradually over several hours
Rationale:
Abruptly stopping TPN can cause hypoglycemia because the pancreas continues to secrete insulin in response to the high glucose concentration of TPN. Tapering the rate gradually prevents a sudden drop in blood sugar. Potassium should be monitored, but the priority is blood glucose management.