A nurse is caring for a patient who is being treated for leukemia in the hospital. The patient was able to maintain her nutritional status for the first few weeks following her diagnosis but is now exhibiting early signs and symptoms of malnutrition. In collaboration with the dietitian, the nurse should implement what intervention?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Provide the patient with several small, soft-textured meals each day. This intervention is appropriate for the patient showing early signs of malnutrition as it aims to increase the patient's nutrient intake in a manageable way. Small, soft-textured meals are easier for the patient to consume and digest, promoting better absorption of nutrients. This approach also aligns with the principle of promoting oral intake whenever possible before resorting to more invasive measures like TPN or PEG tube placement.
Incorrect choices:
A: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is typically reserved for patients who cannot tolerate oral feeding at all or have significant malabsorption issues.
B: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement is usually considered if the patient cannot meet their nutritional needs orally in the long term.
D: Assigning responsibility for the patient's nutrition to friends and family is not a sustainable or appropriate solution for addressing malnutrition in a hospitalized patient.