Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient with a body mass index (BMI) of 31 kg/m?², a normal C-reactive protein level, and low transferrin and albumin levels. The nurse will plan patient teaching to increase the patient's intake of foods that are high in which of the following?
- A. Iron
- B. Protein
- C. Calories
- D. Carbohydrate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's C-reactive protein and transferrin levels indicate low protein stores. The BMI is in the obese range, so increasing caloric intake is not indicated. The data do not indicate a need for increased carbohydrate or iron intake.
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Which of the following actions should the nurse take first in order to improve calorie and protein intake for a patient who eats only about 50% of each meal because of 'feeling too tired to eat much'?
- A. Teach the patient about the importance of good nutrition
- B. Serve multiple small feedings of high-calorie, high-protein foods.
- C. Obtain an order for enteral feedings of liquid nutritional supplements.
- D. Consult with the health care provider about providing parenteral nutrition (PN).
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eating small amounts of food frequently throughout the day is less fatiguing and will improve the patient's ability to take in more nutrients. Teaching the patient may be appropriate, but will not address the patient's inability to eat more because of fatigue. Tube feedings or PN may be needed if the patient is unable to take in enough nutrients orally, but increasing the oral intake should be attempted first.
The nurse is admitting a patient for electrolyte disorders of unknown etiology. Which of the following findings is most important to report to the health care provider?
- A. The patient's knuckles are macerated.
- B. The patient uses laxatives on a daily basis.
- C. The patient has a history of weight fluctuations.
- D. The patient's serum potassium level is 2.2 mmol/L.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The low serum potassium level may cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and potassium supplementation is needed rapidly. The other information also will be reported because it suggests that bulimia may be the etiology of the patient's electrolyte disturbances, but it does not suggest imminent life-threatening complications.
How many grams of protein will the nurse recommend to meet the minimum daily requirement for a patient who weighs 66 kg?
- A. 36
- B. 53
- C. 75
- D. 98
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The recommended daily protein intake is 0.8-1 g/kg of body weight, which for this patient is 66 kg x 0.8 g = 52.8 or 53 g/day.
The nurse has just started a patient on continuous tube feedings of a full-strength commercial formula at 100 mL/hour using a closed system method and has had six diarrhea stools the first day. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
- A. Slow the infusion rate of the tube feeding.
- B. Check gastric residual volumes more frequently.
- C. Change the enteral feeding system and formula every 8 hours.
- D. Discontinue administration of water through the feeding tube.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Loose stools indicate poor absorption of nutrients and indicate a need to slow the feeding rate or decrease the concentration of the feeding. Water should be given when patients receive enteral feedings to prevent dehydration. When a closed enteral feeding system is used, the tubing and formula are changed every 24 hours. High residual volumes do not contribute to diarrhea.
The nurse is caring for a patient with anorexia nervosa who is 163 cm tall and weighs 41 kg. Laboratory tests reveal hypokalemia and iron-deficiency anemia. Which of the following nursing diagnoses has the highest priority for the patient?
- A. Risk for activity intolerance as evidenced by physical deconditioning
- B. Risk for electrolyte imbalance as evidenced by insufficient fluid volume
- C. Ineffective health maintenance related to ineffective coping strategies (obsession with body image).
- D. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to insufficient dietary intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's hypokalemia may lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. The other diagnoses also are appropriate for this patient but are not associated with immediate risk for fatal complications.