HESI RN CAT Exit Exam Related

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The nurse offers diet teaching to a female college student who was diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia following her voluntary adoption of a lacto-vegetarian diet. What nutrients should the nurse suggest this client eat to best meet her nutritional needs while allowing her to adhere to a lacto-vegetarian diet?

  • A. Drink whole milk instead of skim milk to enhance the body's production of amino acids
  • B. Take vitamin K 10mg PO daily to enhance production of red blood cells
  • C. Increase amounts of dark yellow vegetables such as carrots to fortify iron stores
  • D. Combine several legumes and grains such as beans and rice to form complete proteins
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Combine several legumes and grains such as beans and rice to form complete proteins. This is the best option because a lacto-vegetarian diet excludes meat but includes dairy products. Legumes and grains complement each other in terms of amino acid profiles, allowing the individual to obtain all essential amino acids needed for protein synthesis. This combination ensures the client gets adequate protein intake necessary for red blood cell production without consuming meat.

A: Drinking whole milk instead of skim milk does not enhance amino acid production. Skim milk contains the same amino acids as whole milk.
B: Taking vitamin K does not enhance red blood cell production. Iron is the key nutrient needed for red blood cell production.
C: Increasing dark yellow vegetables such as carrots does not provide a significant amount of iron to fortify iron stores compared to legumes and grains.