Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients With Hematologic Neoplasms Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients With Hematologic Neoplasms related questions and content

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?

  • A. Arrange for total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
  • B. Facilitate placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube.
  • C. Provide the patient with several small, soft-textured meals each day.
  • D. Assign responsibility for the patients nutrition to the patients friends and family.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: For patients experiencing difficulties with oral intake, the provision of small, easily chewed meals may be beneficial. This option would be trialed before resorting to tube feeding or TPN. The family should be encouraged to participate in care, but should not be assigned full responsibility.