Free Nutrition, Fluids and Electrolytes MCQs with Answers
50 Nutrition, Fluids and Electrolytes MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Coverage includes nutrients and balanced diets, therapeutic feeding, enteral and parenteral nutrition, intake and output, dehydration, fluid overload and fluid balance calculations. Questions also examine sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride disturbances, their signs and nursing care, while distinguishing enteral feeding through the gastrointestinal tract from parenteral nutrition.
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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. Confirm tube position by abdominal auscultation
- B. Begin feeding after checking the tube marking
- C. Confirm initial placement by prescribed radiography
- D. Flush the tube with water and start the feed
Explanation: Initial nasogastric tube placement should be confirmed by radiography before feeding.
Correct answer: Confirm initial placement by prescribed radiography- A. Stop the infusion immediately and leave the line empty
- B. Report the result and follow the prescribed glucose management plan
- C. Add insulin directly to the parenteral nutrition bag
- D. Replace the solution with plain intravenous water
Explanation: Hyperglycaemia is a possible complication of parenteral nutrition and should be reported for assessment and prescribed treatment.
Correct answer: Report the result and follow the prescribed glucose management plan- A. Give oral rehydration solution in frequent small amounts
- B. Offer only plain water until the diarrhoea stops
- C. Withhold all fluids for four hours to rest the bowel
- D. Give an antidiarrhoeal medicine after each loose stool
Explanation: Oral rehydration solution replaces water and electrolytes in the correct proportions and is given frequently in small amounts.
Correct answer: Give oral rehydration solution in frequent small amounts- A. Moist oral mucosa with a normal appetite
- B. New crackles with increasing shortness of breath
- C. Warm hands with a regular radial pulse
- D. Urine that is pale yellow in colour
Explanation: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention, and crackles with breathlessness may indicate pulmonary oedema, which threatens breathing.
Correct answer: New crackles with increasing shortness of breath- A. Intense thirst and dry, sticky mucous membranes
- B. Dependent oedema and moist lung sounds
- C. Carpopedal spasm with facial twitching
- D. Bounding pulse with severe neck vein distension
Explanation: Hypernatremia commonly causes cellular dehydration, producing thirst, dry mucous membranes, restlessness and neurological changes.
Correct answer: Intense thirst and dry, sticky mucous membranes- A. Shortened QT interval
- B. Prolonged QT interval
- C. Peaked T waves
- D. Absent P waves only
Explanation: Low serum calcium prolongs ventricular repolarisation and may produce a prolonged QT interval.
Correct answer: Prolonged QT interval- A. White rice
- B. Banana
- C. Cabbage
- D. Apple juice
Explanation: Bananas are rich in potassium and may need to be limited when renal potassium excretion is impaired.
Correct answer: Banana- A. Metabolic acidosis from bicarbonate loss
- B. Metabolic alkalosis from gastric acid loss
- C. Respiratory acidosis from hypoventilation
- D. Respiratory alkalosis from excessive ventilation
Explanation: Diarrhoea causes loss of bicarbonate-rich intestinal fluid, which can produce hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.
Correct answer: Metabolic acidosis from bicarbonate loss- A. Vitamin A
- B. Vitamin C
- C. Vitamin K
- D. Vitamin D
Explanation: Vitamin K is needed for the production of several clotting factors in the liver.
Correct answer: Vitamin K- A. Flat supine position
- B. Head elevated 30 to 45 degrees
- C. Prone position with head turned
- D. Trendelenburg position
Explanation: Elevating the head of the bed reduces reflux and aspiration during enteral feeding.
Correct answer: Head elevated 30 to 45 degrees- A. Increase the infusion rate
- B. Assess the patient and notify the prescriber
- C. Apply a warm compress and continue feeding
- D. Flush the line with unsterile water
Explanation: These findings suggest a catheter-related infection, so the patient needs prompt assessment and medical review.
Correct answer: Assess the patient and notify the prescriber- A. Bounding pulse with moist mucosa
- B. Orthostatic hypotension with tachycardia
- C. Periorbital oedema with weight gain
- D. Crackles with elevated jugular veins
Explanation: A fall in blood pressure on standing together with tachycardia suggests reduced circulating volume.
Correct answer: Orthostatic hypotension with tachycardia- A. Encourage unlimited oral water
- B. Restrict fluids as ordered
- C. Give potassium-rich foods freely
- D. Place the patient in a warm bath
Explanation: SIADH causes excessive water retention, dilutional hyponatraemia and concentrated urine.
Correct answer: Restrict fluids as ordered- A. F-75 therapeutic milk
- B. F-100 therapeutic milk
- C. Plain water only
- D. Intravenous dextrose only
Explanation: F-100 provides more energy and protein than F-75 and is used during rehabilitation after the child is stabilised.
Correct answer: F-100 therapeutic milk- A. Take small, frequent sips after each loose stool
- B. Stop all fluids until diarrhoea ends
- C. Replace the solution with undiluted fruit juice
- D. Drink only when severe thirst develops
Explanation: Small, frequent amounts of oral rehydration solution replace water and electrolytes while reducing vomiting.
Correct answer: Take small, frequent sips after each loose stool- A. Increase the feeding rate
- B. Assess the patient and review the feeding prescription
- C. Add concentrated protein powder without an order
- D. Place the patient flat and continue feeding
Explanation: The nurse should assess the patient, check the tube and review the prescribed formula and rate before changing treatment.
Correct answer: Assess the patient and review the feeding prescription- A. Chloride is the main intracellular cation
- B. Chloride helps maintain extracellular fluid balance
- C. Chloride is produced only by the kidneys
- D. Chloride directly carries oxygen in red cells
Explanation: Chloride is the major extracellular anion and helps maintain fluid, osmotic and acid-base balance with sodium.
Correct answer: Chloride helps maintain extracellular fluid balance- A. It supports bowel movement and helps prevent constipation
- B. It supplies concentrated energy for tissue growth
- C. It increases absorption of dietary cholesterol
- D. It maintains the blood clotting process
Explanation: Dietary fibre adds bulk to stool and supports normal intestinal movement, helping prevent constipation.
Correct answer: It supports bowel movement and helps prevent constipation- A. Low serum phosphate
- B. High serum calcium
- C. Low serum chloride
- D. High serum sodium
Explanation: Refeeding can cause a rapid shift of phosphate into cells as carbohydrate metabolism increases, producing hypophosphataemia.
Correct answer: Low serum phosphate- A. Enteral feeding through a gastrointestinal tube
- B. Parenteral nutrition through a venous catheter
- C. Intravenous administration of prescribed electrolytes
- D. Intravenous administration of prescribed glucose
Explanation: Enteral feeding requires a functioning gastrointestinal tract and may worsen distension or vomiting in complete obstruction.
Correct answer: Enteral feeding through a gastrointestinal tube