RDN-AP study plan

Build a one-page decision map linking each nutrition assessment domain (anthropometrics, biochemical, clinical, dietary, functional) to the specific RDN action it triggers, and recite it from memory by day 7.

Interpret and contrast at least 15 laboratory values (albumin, prealbumin, CRP, transferrin, retinol-binding protein, lymphocyte count, electrolytes, renal and hepatic panels) in the context of inflammation, hydration, and hepatic or renal dysfunction.

Practice selecting and justifying the correct nutrition screening and malnutrition identification tool (MST, NRS-2002, MUST, GLIM criteria, AND/ASPEN) for 10 written patient vignettes and defend each choice in two sentences.

Calculate energy and protein needs by indirect calorimetry interpretation, Mifflin-St Jeor, Penn State equation, and 25-30 kcal/kg and 1.2-2.0 g/kg heuristics for 8 cases, noting when each method is preferred.

Perform and document a full nutrition-focused physical exam sequence (temporal wasting, fat and muscle depletion, micronutrient signs) on at least two practice subjects or standardized scenarios.

Diagnose malnutrition severity using GLIM phenotypic and etiologic criteria across 12 mixed inpatient and outpatient vignettes, writing the exact diagnostic statement you would chart.

Apply refeeding syndrome risk stratification (NICE criteria, electrolyte thresholds, low-BMI and weight-loss cutoffs) and write a monitoring and thiamine/electrolyte repletion plan for 5 high-risk cases.

Explain the metabolic stress response in sepsis, trauma, and burns and translate it into macronutrient and fluid targets that avoid overfeeding.

Compute and interpret nitrogen balance, and identify when urine urea nitrogen collection is unreliable.

Integrate functional and sarcopenia assessment (handgrip, gait speed, SARC-F) into a nutrition diagnosis for older adults with multimorbidity.

Construct MNT plans for critical illness, acute respiratory failure, acute kidney injury on CRRT, and hepatic encephalopathy, specifying protein targets and any condition-specific adjustments.

Differentiate when permissive underfeeding, trophic feeding, or full target feeding is appropriate in critical illness and justify with trial evidence logic.

Design glycemic control and insulin-adjusted feeding strategies for enterally fed patients with stress hyperglycemia.

Plan nutrition for major burns using the Curreri formula and adjust for fluid resuscitation and hypermetabolism.

Identify drug-nutrient interactions relevant to critically ill patients (PPIs, vasopressors, warfarin, levothyroxine, phenytoin with tube feeds) and state the management action.

Select enteral formula type (polymeric, semi-elemental, elemental, disease-specific, immune-modulating) for 10 scenarios and justify each with a physiologic rationale.

Determine enteral access level (gastric vs post-pyloric vs surgical) and initiation timing for hemodynamically unstable, pancreatitis, and post-surgical patients.

Calculate parenteral nutrition components from scratch: dextrose, amino acids, lipid emulsion, electrolytes, and osmolality, for 4 adult cases including a 2-in-1 and a 3-in-1 formulation.

Recognize and manage central line-associated complications and PN-associated complications (hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic steatosis, refeeding, catheter sepsis) with a monitoring schedule.

Write a transition plan from PN to EN to oral diet, including a weaning and intake-monitoring protocol.

Build a multimorbidity MNT plan for a patient with type 2 diabetes, CKD stage 4, heart failure, and obesity, resolving conflicting nutrient priorities into one coherent prescription.

Apply CKD MNT across stages including protein restriction, phosphorus and potassium management, and dialysis-specific targets, and explain when restriction should be relaxed in older or frail patients.

Manage hepatic disorders: NAFLD/MASLD, cirrhosis with and without ascites, and acute liver failure, specifying sodium, protein, and micronutrient adjustments.

Design nutrition therapy for short bowel syndrome, malabsorption, and post-bariatric surgery, including fluid and micronutrient monitoring schedules.

Address GI conditions (IBD, celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis with exocrine insufficiency) with specific enzyme, fiber, and micronutrient recommendations.

Calculate neonatal and pediatric nutrient needs using gestational age, corrected age, and growth curves (WHO, CDC, Fenton, preterm growth charts) for 6 cases.

Plan nutrition for preterm infants including human milk fortification, trophic feeds, parenteral nutrition, and monitoring for necrotizing enterocolitis risk.

Apply pediatric malnutrition identification criteria and MNT for failure to thrive, cystic fibrosis, and inborn errors of metabolism.

Design perioperative nutrition for major surgery and ERAS pathways, including immunonutrition and preoperative carbohydrate loading decisions.

Plan nutrition for hematopoietic stem cell transplant and oncology patients, covering mucositis, neutropenic diet controversies, cachexia, and enteral vs parenteral decisions.

Appraise a nutrition intervention study using a structured critical appraisal checklist, identifying bias, confounding, and applicability to practice.

Translate an evidence-based guideline recommendation into a measurable quality improvement indicator with a data collection method and a PDSA cycle outline.

Apply the Code of Ethics for the profession to 6 ethical scenarios (tube feeding withdrawal, conflicts of interest, informed consent, scope of practice, resource allocation).

Define the RDN's role and communication strategy on an interprofessional team, including how to document recommendations that are declined.

Identify billing, reimbursement, and practice-management considerations relevant to advanced nutrition practice, including malnutrition documentation for coding.

Complete two full-length timed practice exams under test conditions and record domain-level accuracy to identify remaining weak areas.

Re-review every missed item from all prior weeks, writing a corrected rationale for each rather than just noting the right answer.

Recite from memory the core numeric targets (energy, protein, fluid, electrolyte, micronutrient) for at least 12 high-yield conditions across all domains.

Rehearse the calculation types most likely to appear (enteral and parenteral formula composition, nitrogen balance, BMI and weight change percentage, ideal body weight and adjusted body weight) until error-free on 20 consecutive items.

Finalize a one-page pre-exam summary sheet that you can review in the 48 hours before the test.