BCNSP study guide
BCNSP · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Board Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacist (BCNSP) credential is a specialty certification for pharmacists who manage enteral and parenteral nutrition as a substantial part of their practice. It signals to employers, interdisciplinary nutrition support teams, and credentialing committees that a pharmacist has demonstrated advanced knowledge beyond general pharmacy licensure in nutrient assessment, formulation, compounding, monitoring, and complication management. The BCNSP study guide has 6 sections and about 1,488 words.
01Nutrition Assessment and Nutrient Requirements
Assessment begins with identifying risk, then confirming and quantifying it. Know the validated screening tools (MUST, NRS-2002, MST, NUTRIC for ICU) and when each applies; screening is not the same as a full assessment.
292 words, about 1 min02Indications, Contraindications, and Access for Nutrition Support
Enteral nutrition (EN) is preferred whenever the gut works and the patient cannot meet needs orally. Indications include inadequate oral intake for 7-10 days, inability to swallow safely, major burns or trauma, and critical illness with contraindication to oral intake.
286 words, about 1 min03Enteral Nutrition Formulations, Administration, and Monitoring
Standard polymeric formulas suit most patients with a functional gut. Elemental/semi-elemental formulas are considered for severe malabsorption, short bowel, or pancreatitis with intolerance.
240 words, about 1 min04Parenteral Nutrition Formulations, Compounding, and Administration
PN includes dextrose, amino acids, lipids (separate or combined as 3-in-1), electrolytes, vitamins, trace elements, and sometimes insulin or heparin. Dextrose provides most non-protein calories; lipid emulsions provide essential fatty acids and calories.
224 words, about 1 min05Complications, Monitoring, and Management of Nutrition Support
Mechanical: tube clogging, displacement, aspiration. GI: diarrhea (often from medications, sorbitol, antibiotics, or formula osmolality), nausea, distension.
207 words, about 1 min06Disease-Specific Nutrition Support and Transitions of Care
Critical illness: early EN within 24-48 hours when feasible, avoid overfeeding, use indirect calorimetry when available. Acute pancreatitis: EN (nasogastric or nasojejunal) is preferred over PN when tolerated; severe cases may need PN if EN fails.
239 words, about 1 min