Clinical Dietitian case studies
Clinical Dietitian · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Clinical Dietitian exam page supports candidates preparing for entry-level dietetics credentialing in the United States, where the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credential is administered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by that body. The credential is intended for people who have completed accredited didactic coursework, supervised practice, and a verification statement, and who now need to demonstrate integrated knowledge across nutrition science, the Nutrition Care Process, intervention and monitoring, foodservice systems, counseling, research and evidence-based practice, leadership, and community nutrition. The exam is computer-based and multiple choice, and it rewards applied clinical judgment rather than isolated recall: many items present a short scenario and ask for the most appropriate next step, the best interpretation of assessment data, or the safest recommendation given comorbidities, medications, or feeding route. The Clinical Dietitian case studies are 5 cases and about 2,629 words.
1Refeeding Risk in a Severely Malnourished Patient with Dysphagia
A 58-year-old man is admitted with a 3-month history of dysphagia and a 10-kg weight loss. His height is 175 cm and weight is 48 kg (BMI 15.7).
575 words, about 3 min2Post-Bariatric Protein Intake and Micronutrient Deficiencies
A 42-year-old woman is seen 8 weeks after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Her preoperative weight was 122 kg; current weight is 108 kg, height 165 cm.
523 words, about 3 min3Tray Accuracy and Food Cost in Hospital Foodservice
A 320-bed acute care hospital has a centralized foodservice system. Over the past quarter, tray error rate has risen to 12%, patient satisfaction scores have fallen to the 60th percentile, and food cost is 8% over budget.
496 words, about 2 min4Sodium Counseling for a Patient with Low Health Literacy and Limited English Proficiency
L is a 68-year-old man with newly diagnosed heart failure and hypertension. He was discharged 1 week ago after an exacerbation.
520 words, about 3 min5Rural Food Insecurity and Pantry Nutrition Standards
A rural county of 48,000 residents has an adult food insecurity rate of 18%, higher than the state average of 11%. The local food pantry serves 1,200 households monthly but mostly distributes donated shelf-stable foods, including high-sodium canned goods, white rice, and sweetened beverages.
515 words, about 3 min