Author Question: The elderly client states that they have routinely consumed at least 34 beverages containing alcohol ... (Read 36 times)

viki · **on:** Aug 2, 2018

The elderly client states that they have routinely consumed at least 34 beverages containing alcohol daily for the past 15 years. The nurse recognizes that this client is at greatest risk for:

1. Obesity and excess weight gain.
2. Chronic disease.
3. Increase in negative side effects.
4. Decrease interaction between alcohol and medications

Question 2

The nurse has completed a health history on 75-year-old individual who recently lost their spouse. They report losing 20 pounds in the past three months. The nurse can anticipate that the most likely explanation would be:

1. Food insecurity.
2. Depression and sense of loss over spouse's death.
3. Decrease in opportunities for social interactions.
4. Multiple medications.

Jayson · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

3

Rationale: When alcohol is consumed in excess by the elderly client there is an increase in the bioavailability of alcohol related to the age-related change in alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in alcohol metabolisms. This enzyme alteration can lead to increased blood alcohol levels when coupled with the decreased total body water associated with aging which leads to mirrored negative side effects. Weight gain can be a consequence of excess alcohol consumption, but if alcohol is substituted for food, nutritional health can become compromised. Although alcohol abuse can contribute to chronic diseases, alcohol-related problems in the elderly often go unrecognized and can contribute to misdiagnosis and treatment of many chronic diseases. With excess alcohol consumption, interactions between alcohol and medications are more likely.

Answer to Question 2

2

Rationale: Loss of appetite because of pain, medication side effects, gastrointestinal symptoms, sadness, or depression can all lead to decrease dietary intake. The other choices can lead to undernutrition in the older adult, but would have most likely existed before the passing of the spouse. In addition, there is no information to support these conditions.