Mary is a 45-year-old with type 2 diabetes. At her clinic visit ...

[cool]

Mary is a 45-year-old with type 2 diabetes. At her clinic visit the diabetic nurse educator asked to review her diet log for the past two weeks.
 
  She noted a large intake of diet beverages and asked Mary if she knew what type of artificial sweeteners they contained. Mary responded that the beverages she drank contained aspartame which she had read would help with glycemic control. The nurse informed her that: 1. Sugar alcohols used as sweetener alternatives contain more calories because they substitute sorbitol for sugar.
   2. Artificial sweetener alternatives provide fewer calories because they are not fully absorbed in the intestines.
   3. Non-nutritive sweeteners are safe for diabetes when consumed within the recommended intake.
   4. Non-nutritive sweeteners have been shown to be beneficial with long-term glycemic and weight control.

Question 2

An older adult's nutritional status may decline if they have arthritis because
 
  a. it is associated with loss of appetite.
  b. their ability to prepare food may be im-paired.
  c. taste changes may cause food to be unap-petizing.
  d. it causes an increase in protein and nu-trient requirements.

[britb2u]

Answer to Question 1

3
Rationale: Sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol and xylitol, are used as sweetener alternatives by some manufacturers because they contain fewer calories than sugar. Sugar alcohols are not readily absorbed in the intestines. Non-nutritive sweeteners, such as saccharine, aspartame, and sucralose, are considered safe for diabetics when used as recommended. There is no evidence that non-nutritive sweeteners have any long-term benefit on glucose or weight control.

Answer to Question 2

B
Arthritis causes joint stiffness and pain that may make it difficult for older adults to prepare food. Arthritis does not affect appetite, sense of taste, or protein and nutrient requirements.