Dietetic Technician Practice Test

During meal rounds in a long-term care facility, which observation is LEAST likely?

1. A patient with dementia consumes less than 50% of meals

2. A patient S/P major cardiac surgery struggles to use utensils

3. A patient ordered supplements does not consume them

4. A patient recovering from a stroke tolerates a soft diet

The correct answer is: A patient recovering from a stroke tolerates a soft diet

The observation regarding a patient recovering from a stroke tolerating a soft diet is least likely to raise concerns when considering typical clinical practices and dietary management in such cases. After experiencing a stroke, patients are often placed on modified diets, including soft diets, to accommodate potential swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) or to facilitate easier consumption and digestion. A soft diet is designed to meet the nutritional needs of individuals who have trouble chewing or swallowing, and it is commonly recommended during recovery phases. In contrast, the other situations listed express more frequent occurrences in long-term care settings. Patients with dementia often exhibit issues with food consumption, leading to less than 50% of meals consumed due to cognitive challenges. Similarly, a patient recovering from major cardiac surgery may struggle with using utensils due to physical limitations or fine motor skill challenges. Additionally, patients who are prescribed dietary supplements sometimes do not consume them due to a variety of reasons, including taste preferences or the psychological impact of their health conditions. Understanding the context of dietary management after strokes helps clarify why the observation pertaining to a stroke survivor enjoying a soft diet is considered the least likely to be concerning within a long-term care environment.