113 Cellular Regulation Nutrition and Metabolism Comprehensive Study Guide

NCLEX Style Question 1

A nurse is assessing a patient's nutritional status. Which finding indicates normal nutrition status? A. BMI of 28.0 kg/m² B. Consistent fatigue throughout the day C. Normal bowel sounds (5-30 per minute in each quadrant) D. Brittle nails and dry skin

NCLEX Style Question 2

Which of the following describes the definition of cellular regulation? A. The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type. B. The precise duplication of cellular components, especially DNA, before cell division. C. Intracellular functions that support cell homeostasis, including growth, replication, and differentiation. D. Any process involved in the maintenance of an internal steady state at the cellular level.

NCLEX Style Question 3

A patient with a fasting blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL and an HbA1c of 6.0 % is demonstrating altered metabolism. Which of these is a normal fasting blood glucose range? A. 90-120 mg/dL B. 100-130 mg/dL C. 70-100 mg/dL D. 100-110 mg/dL

NCLEX Style Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a modifiable risk factor affecting cellular regulation? A. Age B. Genetic predisposition C. Chronic inflammation D. Poor diet

NCLEX Style Question 5

The nurse is educating a patient about the role of macronutrients. Which of these provides the primary source of energy for the body, especially the brain? A. Proteins B. Fats C. Vitamins D. Carbohydrates

NCLEX Style Question 6

Which type of fat is known to increase LDL (bad cholesterol) and decrease HDL (good cholesterol), posing high risks for heart disease? A. Monounsaturated fats B. Polyunsaturated fats C. Trans fats D. Saturated fats

NCLEX Style Question 7

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient on maintaining normal metabolism. Which lifestyle choice is critical for hormonal regulation and cellular repair? A. Regular exercise B. Avoiding carcinogens C. Adequate sleep D. Balanced nutrition

NCLEX Style Question 8

What is the primary function of proteins in the body? A. Concentrated source of energy B. Regulation of vital body processes C. Tissue building and repair, enzyme function, and immune response D. Facilitating metabolic reactions

NCLEX Style Question 9

A rapid initial assessment to identify individuals at nutritional risk is part of which component of nutritional assessment? A. Dietary intake history B. Clinical data (based on observation) C. Nutritional screening D. Biochemical data (laboratory tests)

NCLEX Style Question 10

Which essential nutrient makes up 50-60% of adult body weight and is more essential to life than food? A. Proteins B. Water C. Minerals D. Fats

NCLEX Style Question 11

A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who has significantly decreased appetite and difficulty chewing. What common age-related change is likely contributing to these issues? A. Increased thirst sensation B. Enhanced sense of taste and smell C. Dental issues D. Faster metabolism

NCLEX Style Question 12

Which of the following is a characteristic of complex carbohydrates? A. Quickly digested and absorbed, providing rapid energy spikes. B. Primarily made up of glucose, fructose, and sucrose. C. Digested more slowly, providing sustained energy release. D. Exclusively found in fruits and honey.

NCLEX Style Question 13

Which vitamin type is stored in the body's fatty tissue and liver, meaning it can accumulate to toxic levels? A. Water-soluble vitamins B. B-complex vitamins C. Vitamin C D. Fat-soluble vitamins

NCLEX Style Question 14

The nurse is assessing a patient for 'Obesity Class II'. According to the BMI classifications for adults, which BMI range corresponds to Obesity Class II? A. 25.0 - 29.9 kg/m² B. 30.0 - 34.9 kg/m² C. 35.0 - 39.9 kg/m² D. ≥ 40.0 kg/m²

NCLEX Style Question 15

A patient is receiving continuous enteral tube feeding. The nurse should maintain the head of the bed elevation at which angle during feeding and for 30-60 minutes afterward to reduce the risk of gastric reflux and aspiration? A. 15 degrees B. 30-45 degrees C. 60 degrees D. 90 degrees

NCLEX Style Question 16

What is the definition of Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)? A. The energy required for physical activity. B. The maximum energy required during strenuous exercise. C. The minimum energy required to fuel involuntary activities of the body at rest after a 12-hour fast. D. The total calories consumed in a day.

NCLEX Style Question 17

Which of these is a major mineral (macromineral) required in amounts greater than 100 mg/day? A. Iron B. Zinc C. Iodine D. Calcium

NCLEX Style Question 18

A patient with dysphagia requires nursing interventions to improve nutritional status and safety. Which intervention is appropriate? A. Allow the patient to eat quickly to prevent fatigue. B. Provide thin liquids to aid swallowing. C. Elevate the head of bed to 90 degrees during and after meals. D. Provide large bites of food.

NCLEX Style Question 19

Which type of protein lacks one or more essential amino acids and is typically derived from plants? A. Complete proteins B. Complementary proteins C. Animal proteins D. Incomplete proteins

NCLEX Style Question 20

The comprehensive process by which the body obtains, processes, and utilizes essential substances is known as: A. Metabolism B. Cellular Regulation C. Homeostasis D. Nutrition

NCLEX Style Question 21

What is the recommended daily intake for carbohydrates for adults? A. 10% to 35% of total daily calories B. Less than 10% of total caloric intake C. 45% to 65% of total daily calories D. Varies based on age, activity level, and health status only

NCLEX Style Question 22

A nurse is conducting a nutritional assessment. Which finding is an indicator of altered nutrition? A. BMI within 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m² B. Adequate muscle strength and movement C. Pale conjunctiva and brittle nails D. Cooperative and alert behavior

NCLEX Style Question 23

For long-term nutritional support (longer than 4-6 weeks), which option involves a surgically created opening directly into the gastrointestinal tract? A. Nasogastric (NG) tube B. Nasointestinal (NI) tube C. Enterostomal tube D. Peripheral intravenous (PIV) line

NCLEX Style Question 24

The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type is called: A. Growth B. Replication C. Differentiation D. Homeostasis

NCLEX Style Question 25

When monitoring drug-nutrient interactions, the nurse should be aware that which over-the-counter juice can interact with certain medications? A. Apple juice B. Orange juice C. Grapefruit juice D. Cranberry juice

Answers and Rationale

1. C, Rationale: Normal bowel sounds indicate proper gastrointestinal function, which is an indicator of normal nutritional status. Other options are indicative of altered status or outside the normal range. 2. C, Rationale: Cellular Regulation refers to the intracellular functions supporting cell homeostasis, including growth, replication, and differentiation. 3. C, Rationale: Normal fasting blood glucose levels are between 70-100 mg/dL. 120 mg/dL indicates hyperglycemia, suggestive of altered metabolism. 4. D, Rationale: Poor diet is a lifestyle choice that can be changed, making it a modifiable risk factor. Age, genetics, and chronic inflammation are nonmodifiable or physiological. 5. D, Rationale: Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy, especially for the brain. Proteins are for tissue building, fats are a concentrated energy source, and vitamins are regulatory. 6. C, Rationale: Trans fats are known to increase LDL and decrease HDL, significantly increasing the risk of heart disease. Saturated fats also increase LDL but typically don't decrease HDL as drastically. 7. C, Rationale: Adequate sleep is essential for hormonal regulation and cellular repair, playing a critical role in maintaining normal metabolism. 8. C, Rationale: Proteins are essential for tissue building, repair, enzyme function, and immune response. Fats provide concentrated energy, vitamins and minerals are regulatory. 9. C, Rationale: Nutritional screening is a quick, initial assessment to identify individuals at nutritional risk using tools like the DETERMINE checklist. 10. B, Rationale: Water is the most essential nutrient, making up 50-60% of adult body weight, and life can only be sustained for a few days without it. 11. C, Rationale: Dental issues (poor dentition, ill-fitting dentures) are common age-related changes that can cause difficulty chewing, leading to decreased food intake and appetite. 12. C, Rationale: Complex carbohydrates are digested more slowly due to their longer chains, providing a sustained release of energy. Simple sugars are quickly digested. 13. D, Rationale: Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are stored in the body's fatty tissue and liver, allowing them to accumulate to potentially toxic levels. Water-soluble vitamins are generally excreted. 14. C, Rationale: According to the BMI classifications, Obesity Class II is defined by a BMI range of 35.0 - 39.9 kg/m². 15. B, Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to at least 30-45 degrees during and after enteral feeding is crucial to reduce the risk of gastric reflux and aspiration. 16. C, Rationale: The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the minimum energy required to fuel the involuntary activities of the body at rest after a 12-hour fast. 17. D, Rationale: Calcium is a major mineral (macromineral) required in amounts greater than 100 mg/day. Iron, zinc, and iodine are trace elements (microminerals). 18. C, Rationale: Elevating the head of bed to 90 degrees during and after meals helps prevent aspiration in patients with dysphagia. Thickened liquids and small bites are also appropriate, while thin liquids and large bites increase aspiration risk. 19. D, Rationale: Incomplete proteins lack one or more essential amino acids and are typically derived from plant sources. Combining them can create complementary proteins. 20. D, Rationale: Nutrition is the comprehensive process by which the body obtains, processes, and utilizes essential substances. Metabolism refers to biochemical reactions, cellular regulation to intracellular functions, and homeostasis to maintaining internal steady state. 21. C, Rationale: The recommended intake for carbohydrates for adults is 45% to 65% of total daily calories. 22. C, Rationale: Pale conjunctiva and brittle nails are clinical signs that indicate potential nutritional deficiencies, thus signs of altered nutrition. The other options describe normal nutritional indicators. 23. C, Rationale: Enterostomal tubes (e.g., PEG, J-