Nourishment Volunteer Re-certification Quiz

1. The proper positioning for the patient when providing nourishment is upright as close to _____ degrees as possible.

The proper positioning for the patient when providing nourishment is upright as close to 90 degrees as possible. This position helps to prevent choking and aspiration, as it allows the food to travel down the esophagus and into the stomach more easily. It also promotes proper digestion and reduces the risk of regurgitation. Additionally, sitting upright at a 90-degree angle allows the patient to have better control and coordination while eating, ensuring a safer and more comfortable dining experience.

Explanation

The proper positioning for the patient when providing nourishment is upright as close to 90 degrees as possible. This position helps to prevent choking and aspiration, as it allows the food to travel down the esophagus and into the stomach more easily. It also promotes proper digestion and reduces the risk of regurgitation. Additionally, sitting upright at a 90-degree angle allows the patient to have better control and coordination while eating, ensuring a safer and more comfortable dining experience.

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2. Even if I am already familiar with a patient and their eating restrictions and swallowing strategies, I still need to check their orange wristband every time I help them.

True

False

Patient eating restrictions and swallowing strategies can change at any time. Even if you are familiar with a patient, please continue to check their orange bracelet every time before providing nourishment.

Explanation

Patient eating restrictions and swallowing strategies can change at any time. Even if you are familiar with a patient, please continue to check their orange bracelet every time before providing nourishment.

3. It is ok for patients to share food/drinks if the patient gives the volunteer permission.

True

False

Never give a patient food/drink that is intended for another patient. Patients have different dietary restrictions and needs, and sometimes the patients themselves are not aware.

Explanation

Never give a patient food/drink that is intended for another patient. Patients have different dietary restrictions and needs, and sometimes the patients themselves are not aware.

4. The proper positioning for you when providing nourishment is at ____ with the patient.

The proper positioning for you when providing nourishment is at eye-level with the patient. This means that you should position yourself so that your eyes are level with the patient's eyes. This allows for better communication and connection with the patient, as it creates a sense of equality and respect. Being at eye-level also allows you to better observe the patient's facial expressions and non-verbal cues, which can be important indicators of their comfort and well-being.

Explanation

The proper positioning for you when providing nourishment is at eye-level with the patient. This means that you should position yourself so that your eyes are level with the patient's eyes. This allows for better communication and connection with the patient, as it creates a sense of equality and respect. Being at eye-level also allows you to better observe the patient's facial expressions and non-verbal cues, which can be important indicators of their comfort and well-being.

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5. If a patient coughs a few times during the time you are helping them, this is probably not that significant and you don't need to tell anyone because they were not choking or gagging.

True

False

Coughing while eating could be indicative of a more serious health concern and should be reported to staff.

Explanation

Coughing while eating could be indicative of a more serious health concern and should be reported to staff.

6. A volunteer can provide nourishment to any patient with an orange wristband as long as you give them the right consistency or texture

True

False

All patients with dietary restrictions will have an orange wrist band, and does not indicate the patient is safe to feed. Always check with staff to confirm you can provide nourishment to the patient before assisting.

Explanation

All patients with dietary restrictions will have an orange wrist band, and does not indicate the patient is safe to feed. Always check with staff to confirm you can provide nourishment to the patient before assisting.

7. If the patient is weaker on the right side, you should feed them on the left side

True

False

Always feed patients on their stronger side.

Explanation

Always feed patients on their stronger side.

8. Even though a patient's orange wristband says NPO or Nothing by Mouth it is ok to give them ice chips if they ask for it because it's not really food.

True

False

Anything that is ingested orally should not be given to someone with a NPO labeled wristband,

Explanation

Anything that is ingested orally should not be given to someone with a NPO labeled wristband,

9. It is acceptable to provide nourishment to a patient while standing up at long as it is more comfortable for me.

True

False

Volunteers must always feed patients at eye-level (generally sitting down). Feeding while standing up often results in "Bird-Feeding", and is not safe for patients or volunteers.

Explanation

Volunteers must always feed patients at eye-level (generally sitting down). Feeding while standing up often results in "Bird-Feeding", and is not safe for patients or volunteers.

10. There are patients in the hospital that are eating against recommendations. It is not ok for me to help them eat or drink anything, even if they ask me to.

True

False

For safety reasons, please refrain from assisting patients who are eating against recommendation.

Explanation

For safety reasons, please refrain from assisting patients who are eating against recommendation.

11. Before providing nourishment, Sharon checked a patient's wrist for an orange wristband but did not find one. What is not a possible explanation for this ?

Fell off/patient took it off

In a different location (ie: wheelchair, ankle)

Is not on a restricted diet

Patient is on a restricted diet, but refused to wear one

Only patients that can be fed by volunteers wear orange wristbands

The orange wrist band only indicates the textures and consistencies that are safe for the patient to consume. Please confirm with staff that a patient can be fed by volunteers.

Explanation

The orange wrist band only indicates the textures and consistencies that are safe for the patient to consume. Please confirm with staff that a patient can be fed by volunteers.

12. What is "Bird Feeding" and why is it unsafe to feed a patient in this manner?

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Explanation

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13. Ice cream and ice chips are considered a thin fluid

True

False

Ice cream and ice chips are considered thin fluids to reflects the consistency when they melt in the mouth.

Explanation

Ice cream and ice chips are considered thin fluids to reflects the consistency when they melt in the mouth.

14. When providing nourishment to patients only swallowing is important so I should not engage in conversation with them.

True

False

It is ok to talk to patients while they are eating as long as patients are not talking with their mouths full.

Explanation

It is ok to talk to patients while they are eating as long as patients are not talking with their mouths full.

15. The two most important instances you need to practice good hand hygiene when providing nourishment to patients are:

Before feeding a patient and when leaving the hospital

After portering a patient and in between helping patients

Before feeding a patient and in between helping patients

When leaving the hospital and after portering a patient

While you should be practicing good hand hygiene for all the instances listed, the most important times are before feeding a patient and in between helping patients to prevent the spread of pathogens.

Explanation

While you should be practicing good hand hygiene for all the instances listed, the most important times are before feeding a patient and in between helping patients to prevent the spread of pathogens.

16. Please match the following liquid consistencies in the correct order starting from thickest to thinnest.Use each option only once.

Thickest

Somewhat Thick

Somewhat Thin

Thinnest

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17. Which of the following foods would be appropriate for a patient on a soft diet: (Check all that apply. There can be more than one answer)

Fish

Peanuts

Apple Slices

Lasagna

Carrot Sticks

Boiled Vegetables (broccoli, peas, corn, beans)

Crackers

Chips

Waffles

Toast

A soft diet is typically recommended for patients with difficulty chewing or swallowing. Foods that are easy to chew and swallow without causing discomfort or irritation are considered appropriate for a soft diet. Fish, lasagna, boiled vegetables, and waffles are all softer in texture and can be easily consumed by a patient on a soft diet. On the other hand, peanuts, apple slices, carrot sticks, crackers, chips, and toast may be harder or more difficult to chew, making them less suitable for a soft diet.

Explanation

A soft diet is typically recommended for patients with difficulty chewing or swallowing. Foods that are easy to chew and swallow without causing discomfort or irritation are considered appropriate for a soft diet. Fish, lasagna, boiled vegetables, and waffles are all softer in texture and can be easily consumed by a patient on a soft diet. On the other hand, peanuts, apple slices, carrot sticks, crackers, chips, and toast may be harder or more difficult to chew, making them less suitable for a soft diet.

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18. Janiece has been providing nourishment to Mr. E on Fridays at lunchtime for the past year. Since she has been working with Mr. E for so long, she is very familiar with his dietary restrictions. Mr. E has excellent dental health and doesn't like wearing bibs. Today, Janiece is assisting with providing nourishment to patients at the annual Strawberry Social festival. What must Janiece do before providing nourishment to Mr. E? (Check all that apply. There can be more than one answer).

Introduce herself to Mr. E by first and last name

Check orange wristband/poster to ensure right consistency

Inform Mr. E that she is unable to assist him unless he wears a bib.

Check with nursing or recreation staff to see if patient can be fed by a volunteer

Check swallowing/eating strategies

Check that dentures are properly fitted

All of the items listed must be done EVERY TIME before providing nourishment to EVERY patient except:

* Introduce yourself by first and last name- Once a patient is familiar with you, it is not necessary introduce yourself every time. Also, you do not tell to tell patients your last name.

* Inform patient you are unable to assist unless they wear a bib- Wearing a bib is a personal choice. Patients are not required to wear a bib if they do not wish to.

* Check denture are properly fitted- In this particular scenario, Mr.E has excellent dental health thus does not wear dentures. While you should ensure that patients with dentures have them properly fitted before eating, this is not applicable to this specific situation.

Explanation

All of the items listed must be done EVERY TIME before providing nourishment to EVERY patient except:

* Introduce yourself by first and last name- Once a patient is familiar with you, it is not necessary introduce yourself every time. Also, you do not tell to tell patients your last name.

* Inform patient you are unable to assist unless they wear a bib- Wearing a bib is a personal choice. Patients are not required to wear a bib if they do not wish to.

* Check denture are properly fitted- In this particular scenario, Mr.E has excellent dental health thus does not wear dentures. While you should ensure that patients with dentures have them properly fitted before eating, this is not applicable to this specific situation.

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19. Which of the following are not strategies for eating and swallowing that a patient may have in order to ensure they are safe while eating:(Check all that apply. There may be more than 1 answer)

Using a liquid wash (drink after each bite)

Have extra gravy

Having supplements on the tray

Food cut into smaller pieces

Feeding a patient in a reclined position because they are more comfortable

No mixed consistencies

No straws

Eating in a group with other patients

All of the items listed are strategies except:

*Supplements on the tray - these are used to encourage patients to eat, and is not a strategy
* Feed a patient in a reclining position- patients should always be upright when receiving nourishment.
* Eating in a group - while this encourages socialization between patients, it is not a eating/swallowing strategy.

Explanation

All of the items listed are strategies except:

*Supplements on the tray - these are used to encourage patients to eat, and is not a strategy
* Feed a patient in a reclining position- patients should always be upright when receiving nourishment.
* Eating in a group - while this encourages socialization between patients, it is not a eating/swallowing strategy.

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20. Please match the following foods with the correct consistency . Please only use each choice only once.

Mashed potatoes

Hamburger (with ketchup, tomato and lettuce)

Potato Chips

Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

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