The nurse assessing an older woman for the adequacy of her nutritional and fluid intake would ...

The nurse assessing an older woman for the adequacy of her nutritional and fluid intake would examine the patient's ______________________. (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. skin.
  b. hair.
  c. body temperature.
  d. mucous membranes.
  e. fingernails.

Question 2

To encourage the appetite of a 75-year-old man who is on a low-sodium diet, the family has been asked to bring food from home. The item that is most appropriate to fit the low-sodium diet restriction is:
 
  a. a sandwich with bologna and salami on a whole-wheat bun.
  b. broiled chicken and a cold fruit salad.
  c. cold baked ham and potato salad.
  d. macaroni and cheese with a crushed topping.

Question 3

The most effective question used by the nurse to assess appetite changes that would most likely generate the best patient response would be:
 
  a. Do you ever experience hunger during the day?
  b. In what way has your appetite changed?
  c. Do you eat fresh fruit and vegetables?
  d. Do you experience nausea at mealtime?

Question 4

The nurse in a long-term care facility notes that the frail, malnourished, newly admitted 84-year-old woman stays in her room for meals, but only drinks tea. To increase her appetite and intake, the nurse should:
 
  a. record lack of intake in the nurse's notes.
  b. request an order to change the regular diet to a pured diet.
  c. visit with her during part of each mealtime.
  d. remove fluids from her tray.

Question 5

An appropriate nursing diagnosis for a 75-year-old man with congestive heart failure who is living independently but has inadequate nutritional intake would be Imbalanced nutrition, less than body requirement related to:
 
  a. activity intolerance.
  b. difficulty in swallowing.
  c. restricted diet.
  d. nausea and vomiting.

Question 6

The most significant laboratory value that would alert the nurse to probable malnutrition would be a:
 
  a. high hemoglobin level (18 g/dl).
  b. low white blood cell count (5000/mm3).
  c. high hematocrit level (51).
  d. low serum albumin level (2.8 g/dl).

Question 7

The nurse encourages the 84-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis who has no appetite to try to increase her intake because the disease that diminishes her desire for food also:
 
  a. diminishes the ability to absorb nutrients.
  b. increases body's need for nutrients.
  c. decreases the body's metabolism.
  d. increases the risk of infection.