Author Question: A 78-year-old woman who lives alone has been admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of failure to ... (Read 143 times)

bclement10 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A 78-year-old woman who lives alone has been admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of failure to thrive. Assessment reveals that the woman has malnutrition, a problem related to her lack of finances, transportation, and a social support network.

Malnutrition is defined as: A) A body mass index that is in the lowest third of the American population
B) A condition related to a chronic lack of sufficient nutrients
C) Excessive consumption of fats and sugars accompanied by inadequate vegetables
D) A condition in which the body is unable to adequately metabolize nutrients

Question 2

A client complains of nausea during a physical assessment. What is the first thing the nurse should do to distract the client's attention from this unpleasant sensation?

A) Encourage the client to move and be active.
B) Make negative comments about the food.
C) Leave the client to provide privacy.
D) Assist the client in taking deep breaths.

wergv · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
Malnutrition is a condition resulting from a lack of proper nutrients in the diet. A low BMI is not necessarily indicative of malnutrition and people with malnutrition are not lacking the ability to metabolize their food. An unbalanced diet can lead to malnutrition, but this is not the definition of the problem.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
In order to distract the client's attention from his or her nausea, the nurse should assist the client in taking deep breaths. The nurse should limit the client's movement and activities, as movement may shift gastrointestinal structures and their contents, intensifying the stimulation of the vomiting center. The nurse should avoid making negative comments about the food, as verbal comments create visual images that may cause psychogenic stimulation of the vomiting center. Providing privacy does not resolve the client's problem.