Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Adult Health and Nutritional Assessment Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Adult Health and Nutritional Assessment related questions and content

You are assessing an 80-year-old patient who has presented because of an unintended weight loss of 10 pounds over the past 8 weeks. During the assessment, you learn that the patient has ill-fitting dentures and a limited intake of high-fiber foods. You would be aware that the patient is at risk for what problem?

  • A. Constipation
  • B. Deficient fluid volume
  • C. Malabsorption of nutrients
  • D. Excessive intake of convenience foods
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Patients with ill-fitting dentures are at a potential risk for an inadequate intake of high-fiber foods. The elderly are already at an increased risk for constipation because of other developmental factors and the potential for a decreased activity level. Ill-fitting dentures do not put a patient at risk for dehydration, malabsorption of nutrients, or a reliance on convenience foods.