Author Question: The nurse receives report on an elderly man from the intensive care unit who has been on a clear ... (Read 49 times)

SO00 · **on:** Aug 2, 2018

The nurse receives report on an elderly man from the intensive care unit who has been on a clear liquid diet because he aspirated during a meal shortly after his admission.

The client had been scheduled for a swallowing evaluation the day after the incident, but since it occurred over a holiday weekend he was still waiting for the test. What is the best action for the nurse to take? 1. Inform the medical provider that the test has not been done and discuss concerns about malnutrition in a chronically ill elderly client.
2. Continue with clear liquids and try to reschedule the swallowing test for the next available time slot.
3. Ask the client if he is hungry and if so give him a can of liquid nutritional supplement.
4. Allow the family to bring in some of his favorite foods to encourage him to begin eating again.

Question 2

The client is interested in breastfeeding her infant but has to return to work once her maternity leave is over. How long does the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for an infant?

A) The first 3 months of age C) The first 6 months of age
B) The first 4 months of age D) The first 12 months of age

strudel15 · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

1
Rationale: Miscommunication is not uncommon especially when staff may be limited. The nurse should first inform the medical provider that the test was not performed as scheduled and discuss concerns about malnutrition for an elderly client with chronic illness on a clear liquid diet. Clear liquids should not be used as the only source of nutrition for over 72 hours. Providing the client with a liquid nutritional supplement when he has medical orders for a clear liquid diet would be considered an adverse event and could be dangerous for the patient. The family should be encouraged not to bring in food from home that does not meet the dietary requirements of his medical orders.

Answer to Question 2

C
Feedback:
The AAP recommends infants be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life and then continued with complementary foods until 1 year of age.