RD Exam Plan

Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups: practice questions

6 original questions · 6 editor-approved · every choice explained.

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Blueprint-mapped questions with full rationales for every choice.

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Nutrition Care for Individuals and GroupsDifficulty 3/5

Which PES statement is correctly constructed?

  1. ANausea related to chemotherapy as evidenced by the client's report of poor appetite
  2. BWeight loss related to cancer as evidenced by an unintentional loss of 8% in one month
  3. CType 2 diabetes related to insulin resistance as evidenced by an A1c of 8.9%
  4. DInadequate oral intake related to chemotherapy-induced nausea as evidenced by 8% weight loss
Show answer and rationale

Correct: D. A PES statement names a nutrition diagnosis, an aetiology that nutrition intervention can address, and measurable signs and symptoms. Type 2 diabetes and nausea are medical diagnoses and symptoms, not nutrition diagnoses.

  • C — Type 2 diabetes is a medical diagnosis, which cannot be the problem in a PES statement.
  • A — Nausea is a symptom and a medical issue rather than a nutrition diagnosis.
  • B — Weight loss is a sign that belongs in the evidence, and cancer is not a modifiable aetiology.
Nutrition Care for Individuals and GroupsDifficulty 3/5

A malnourished patient who has eaten almost nothing for ten days is started on nutrition support. Which laboratory change signals refeeding syndrome?

  1. AA fall in serum phosphorus, potassium and magnesium within days of feeding
  2. BA rise in blood urea nitrogen reflecting increased protein catabolism
  3. CA fall in serum albumin as the acute-phase response intensifies
  4. DA rise in serum sodium as fluid shifts into the intracellular space
Show answer and rationale

Correct: A. Reintroducing carbohydrate drives insulin release, pushing phosphate, potassium and magnesium intracellularly. Falling levels of those three electrolytes in the first days of feeding is the defining picture, and feeding must be advanced slowly with replacement and thiamine.

  • D — Sodium shifts are not the defining marker of refeeding syndrome.
  • B — Rising urea reflects protein load or renal function, not refeeding.
  • C — Albumin is a negative acute-phase reactant and a poor nutrition marker.
Nutrition Care for Individuals and GroupsDifficulty 2/5

A patient with a functioning gastrointestinal tract cannot meet needs orally after a stroke. What is the appropriate nutrition support?

  1. APeripheral parenteral nutrition until the swallow assessment is complete
  2. BEnteral nutrition, because the gut is functional and should be used
  3. CCentral parenteral nutrition to guarantee that full needs are met
  4. DOral supplements alone with monitoring of intake for another week
Show answer and rationale

Correct: B. When the gut works, it is used: enteral nutrition preserves gut integrity, carries fewer infectious and metabolic risks than parenteral routes and is the standard choice in this situation.

  • A — Parenteral nutrition is not indicated when the gut is functional.
  • C — Central access adds risk with no advantage over a working gut.
  • D — Continuing oral supplements alone while intake is inadequate prolongs the deficit.
Nutrition Care for Individuals and GroupsDifficulty 3/5

Which assessment finding most directly supports a diagnosis of malnutrition rather than simple underweight?

  1. AA self-reported reduction in appetite over the preceding two weeks
  2. BA body mass index below 18.5 recorded at a single clinic visit
  3. CLoss of subcutaneous fat and muscle wasting with inadequate intake over time
  4. DA serum albumin of 2.8 g/dL measured during an acute inflammatory illness
Show answer and rationale

Correct: C. Malnutrition is diagnosed from a cluster of criteria including insufficient intake, weight loss, loss of subcutaneous fat, muscle wasting, fluid accumulation and reduced grip strength — not from a single number.

  • B — A low BMI alone does not establish malnutrition.
  • D — Albumin falls with inflammation and is not a malnutrition marker.
  • A — Reported appetite is supportive context, not a diagnostic criterion.
Nutrition Care for Individuals and GroupsDifficulty 2/5

Which outcome belongs in the monitoring and evaluation step for the PES statement 'inadequate oral intake related to nausea as evidenced by intake at 50% of estimated needs'?

  1. AThe medical team's decision about continuing the chemotherapy regimen
  2. BThe client's satisfaction with the hospital food service menu options
  3. CThe client's serum albumin measured at the next inpatient blood draw
  4. DThe percentage of estimated energy and protein needs met at follow-up
Show answer and rationale

Correct: D. Monitoring tracks the signs and symptoms named in the PES statement. The evidence was intake as a percentage of needs, so that is the indicator to re-measure.

  • C — Albumin reflects inflammation rather than the named evidence.
  • A — Treatment decisions are outside the nutrition diagnosis.
  • B — Satisfaction is not the measured evidence of the diagnosis.
Nutrition Care for Individuals and GroupsDifficulty 3/5

A patient on haemodialysis has a serum potassium of 6.1 mEq/L. Which dietary change is most appropriate?

  1. ARestrict fluid intake to reduce the concentration of serum potassium
  2. BIncrease dietary phosphorus to balance the electrolyte disturbance
  3. CIncrease protein intake to replace amino acids lost during dialysis
  4. DLimit high-potassium foods and review salt substitutes being used
Show answer and rationale

Correct: D. Hyperkalaemia in dialysis is managed by limiting potassium-rich foods and identifying hidden sources — potassium chloride salt substitutes are a frequent and overlooked contributor.

  • C — Protein needs are high in dialysis but do not address potassium.
  • A — Fluid restriction manages volume, not potassium load.
  • B — Increasing phosphorus worsens mineral and bone disorder.

Primary references

  1. Registered Dietitian Examination Test Specifications, January 1 2022 – December 31 2026 — Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) · primary · retrieved 2026-09-22, verified 2026-09-22