A patient with cancer has a nursing diagnosis of imbalanced ...

[TFauchery]

A patient with cancer has a nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to altered taste sensation. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
 
  a. Add strained baby meats to foods such as casseroles.
  b. Teach the patient about foods that are high in nutrition.
  c. Avoid giving the patient foods that are strongly disliked.
  d. Add extra spice to enhance the flavor of foods that are served.

Question 2

During the teaching session for a patient who has a new diagnosis of acute leukemia the patient is restless and is looking away, never making eye contact.
 
  After teaching about the complications associated with chemotherapy, the patient asks the nurse to repeat all of the information. Based on this assessment, which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for the patient?
  a. Risk for ineffective adherence to treatment related to denial of need for chemotherapy
  b. Acute confusion related to infiltration of leukemia cells into the central nervous system
  c. Risk for ineffective health maintenance related to anxiety about new leukemia diagnosis
  d. Deficient knowledge: chemotherapy related to a lack of interest in learning about treatment

[Moriaki]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The patient will eat more if disliked foods are avoided and foods that the patient likes are included instead. Additional spice is not usually an effective way to enhance taste. Adding baby meats to foods will increase calorie and protein levels, but does not address the issue of taste. The patient's poor intake is not caused by a lack of information about nutrition.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The patient who has a new cancer diagnosis is likely to have high anxiety, which may impact learning and require that the nurse repeat and reinforce information. The patient's history of a recent diagnosis suggests that infiltration of the leukemia is not a likely cause of the confusion. The patient asks for the information to be repeated, indicating that lack of interest in learning and denial are not etiologic factors.