Nutrition Flashcards
The home care nurse is assessing an older patient diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the home setting. Which information is of concern?
The patient has lost 10 pounds (4.5 kg) during the last month.
A 10-pound weight loss in 1 month could indicate cancer or may be an indication of further progression of memory loss. Depression is also another common cause of weight loss.
The nurse is assisting a 79-year-old patient with information about diet and weight loss. The patient has a body mass index (BMI) of 31. How should the nurse instruct this patient?
“You are considered obese and will need to consult with your doctor about a plan that includes exercises, not diet, to decrease weight.”
This patient is at an increased risk for sarcopenia and should be instructed to increase activity
that includes strength training to prevent muscle loss. Diet is not indicated. A BMI of 31 is
considered obese; however, this patient does not qualify for surgical intervention until BMI
reaches over 35.
The nurse is completing a nutritional assessment on a patient with hypertension. What foods would be recommended for this patient?
Low sodium diet
A low sodium diet will prevent water retention which could increase blood pressure. Patients
with hypertension would not be on a regular diet due to sodium content
During a nutritional assessment, the nurse calculates that a female patient’s BMI is 27. The nurse would advise the patient to follow which of these recommendations?
This measurement indicates that the patient is overweight and should follow a plan of diet and exercise to lose weight.
A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is in the overweight range. A BMI of <18.5 is in the underweight range. A BMI of 30 to 34.9 is obesity class I, a BMI of 35 to 39.9 is obesity class II, and a BMI of >40 is obesity class III (morbid obesity). A BMI of 19 to 24 is in the normal range.
During an interview, the nurse is discussing dietary habits with a patient. Which tool would be
the best choice to use as a quick screening tool to assess dietary intake?
24-hour recall
A 24-hour recall is useful as a quick screening tool to assess dietary intake.
During a physical examination, the nurse notes that the patient’s skin is dry and flaking, with patches of eczema. Which nutritional deficiency might be present?
Essential fatty acid
Dry and scaly skin is a manifestation of essential fatty acid deficiency.
During a physical examination, the nurse notes that the patient’s skin is dry and flaking. What additional data would the nurse expect to find to confirm the suspicion of a nutritional
deficiency?
Hair loss and hair that is easily removed from the scalp
Hair loss (alopecia) and hair that is easily removed from the scalp (easy pluckability), like dry, flaking skin, is caused by essential fatty acid deficiency.
An African American is at an increased risk for which of the following? (Multiple Response)
Vitamin D deficiency
Type 2 diabetes
Hypertension
Metabolic syndrome
