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 3 of 3
- A. Parenteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream
- B. Parenteral nutrition always requires a nasogastric tube
- C. Enteral nutrition bypasses the gastrointestinal tract completely
- D. Enteral nutrition can be given only when the patient can swallow
Explanation: Parenteral nutrition provides nutrients intravenously, bypassing digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
Correct answer: Parenteral nutrition delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream- A. 118 mmol/L
- B. 128 mmol/L
- C. 140 mmol/L
- D. 158 mmol/L
Explanation: The usual adult serum sodium range is approximately 135 to 145 mmol/L, making 140 mmol/L normal.
Correct answer: 140 mmol/L- A. To move potassium temporarily into cells
- B. To remove potassium permanently in the urine
- C. To replace potassium lost from the bloodstream
- D. To prevent calcium absorption from the intestine
Explanation: Insulin drives potassium from the extracellular fluid into cells, while dextrose prevents hypoglycaemia.
Correct answer: To move potassium temporarily into cells- A. Prominent U waves
- B. Peaked T waves
- C. Widened QRS from hyperkalaemia
- D. Shortened QT interval
Explanation: Hypokalaemia commonly causes flattened T waves, ST depression and prominent U waves.
Correct answer: Prominent U waves- A. New crackles at both lung bases
- B. Mild thirst after the meal
- C. Warm hands with intact pulses
- D. Urine that is pale yellow
Explanation: New bilateral crackles with tachypnoea may indicate pulmonary fluid accumulation and impaired breathing.
Correct answer: New crackles at both lung bases- A. To expand extracellular fluid volume
- B. To provide concentrated dietary protein
- C. To move water rapidly into the cells
- D. To replace potassium without monitoring
Explanation: 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic crystalloid that expands the extracellular and intravascular fluid compartments.
Correct answer: To expand extracellular fluid volume- A. Use strict aseptic technique for line access
- B. Disconnect the infusion whenever the patient walks
- C. Flush the line with tap water after each use
- D. Change the dressing only when it becomes loose
Explanation: Strict aseptic technique during catheter access and dressing care reduces the risk of bloodstream infection.
Correct answer: Use strict aseptic technique for line access- A. It improves intestinal absorption of calcium
- B. It promotes formation of collagen fibres
- C. It supports synthesis of clotting factors
- D. It maintains nerve impulse transmission
Explanation: Vitamin D increases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate, supporting bone mineralisation.
Correct answer: It improves intestinal absorption of calcium- A. Iron deficiency
- B. Vitamin C deficiency
- C. Vitamin D deficiency
- D. Vitamin K deficiency
Explanation: Iron deficiency reduces haemoglobin production and commonly causes microcytic, hypochromic anaemia with fatigue and pallor.
Correct answer: Iron deficiency- A. The patient has retained about 100 mL of fluid
- B. The patient has retained about 500 mL of fluid
- C. The patient has retained about 1 litre of fluid
- D. The patient has retained about 2 litres of fluid
Explanation: A rapid gain of approximately 1 kg usually represents about 1 litre of retained fluid, because 1 litre of water weighs about 1 kg.
Correct answer: The patient has retained about 1 litre of fluid