Fluids and Nutrition

Why is proper hydration important in care settings?

• AIt's not important
• BDehydration can cause confusion, infections, and serious health complications✓
• COnly for elderly people
• DOnly in summer

Answer: Maintaining adequate hydration is essential for physical health, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing.

A service user with dementia refuses to eat. What should you do?

• AForce them to eat
• BOffer food regularly, adapt texture/temperature, eat with them, and monitor for medical issues✓
• CStop offering food
• DGive them only liquids

Answer: Supporting nutrition for people with dementia requires patience, adapting food, and maintaining a pleasant eating environment.

What is dysphagia?

• AA type of meal
• BDifficulty swallowing that may require modified textures and careful feeding✓
• CLoss of appetite
• DA food allergy

Answer: Dysphagia requires modified food and drink textures and careful observation during eating to prevent choking.

A service user has diabetes and wants sweets. How should you handle this?

• AGive them sweets freely
• BRefuse completely
• CDiscuss their preferences with management, support informed choices, and monitor blood sugar✓
• DHide the sweets

Answer: Balancing dietary needs with individual preferences requires working within medical guidance while respecting autonomy.

What is important about food safety in a care setting?

• AIt's not important
• BPreventing contamination through proper storage, preparation, and handling prevents foodborne illness✓
• COnly important for raw meat
• DHand washing isn't necessary

Answer: Food safety protects vulnerable service users from potentially serious infections.

A service user's culture has specific dietary requirements. How should you respond?

• AIgnore their requirements
• BLearn about them, respect them, and work to accommodate within available resources✓
• CTell them to eat what's available
• DPunish them for their requirements

Answer: Cultural dietary practices are important to respect as part of person-centred, inclusive care.

How should you monitor a service user's fluid intake?

• ADon't monitor
• BRegularly offer drinks, keep a record if needed, watch for signs of dehydration✓
• CForce them to drink
• DOnly offer water

Answer: Monitoring fluid intake helps identify dehydration early and ensures adequate hydration.

What signs might indicate someone is malnourished?

• ARapid weight gain
• BUnintentional weight loss, weakness, poor wound healing, and reduced immunity✓
• CNo signs
• DOnly high weight loss

Answer: Recognising signs of malnutrition helps you identify people who need nutritional support.

A service user with mobility issues requests help with meals. How should you support them?

• AFeed them quickly without interaction
• BAdapt the environment, provide utensils they can manage, eat with them, and maintain dignity✓
• CRefuse to help
• DFeed them like a baby

Answer: Supporting people with limited mobility during meals maintains their independence and dignity while ensuring adequate nutrition.

How should you document nutrition and fluid intake?

• ADon't document
• BRecord intake clearly and accurately, noting any concerns or changes✓
• COnly document if there's a problem
• DRecord approximate amounts only

Answer: Accurate documentation helps monitor health, identify problems early, and guide care planning.