Chapter 11: Nutrition And Hydration – Qs And As
Even though a nursing assistant notices that an older patient's oral intake
has been poor since being admitted to the care area, the assistant is not
concerned since "older people don't need to eat much anyway." How should
the nurse respond to this assistant's comment?
A) "That's a myth actually; older adults have increased caloric and
nutritional needs."
B) "Actually, older adults who are sick require more calories than younger
people do during their recovery."
C) "You're right, but it's still important that we provide vitamin
supplements especially when a patient is recovering from an illness."
D) "Even though it is true that older people don't need quite as many
calories as younger people, they need as many nutrients as you or I."
- ✔️ Ans: D
Feedback:While caloric need does decrease with age, nutrient
requirements are relatively consistent across the life span. Older adults do
not have increased caloric and nutritional needs. Older adults who are sick
do not necessarily require more calories since the basal metabolic rate
declines 2% for each decade of life. Vitamin and mineral supplements for
older adults are undetermined.
A health-conscious resident of an assisted living facility is promoting the
value of fiber to a fellow resident. Which statement made by the resident
about the benefits of fiber is accurate?
A) Improved bowel activity and increased metabolic rate
B) Improved bowel activity and decreased serum cholesterol
C) Improved gastric emptying and prevention of colon cancer
D) Increased nutrient absorption and decreased glucose tolerance
- ✔️ Ans: B
Feedback:Fiber is noted to lower serum cholesterol and promote good
bowel activity. It is not noted to improve nutrient absorption or gastric
emptying or to increase overall metabolic rate.
During a home visit, the nurse is asked by an older couple if vitamin and
nutritional supplements can compensate for poor food intake. What should
the nurse respond to this question?
A) "Supplements can be useful but avoid those that contain calcium."
, B) "The risks of excess dosages mean that supplements are best avoided
entirely."
C) "Supplements should be thought of as supplements, not replacements,
so it's best not use them."
D) "Vitamin and nutrient supplements can be a useful short-term
nutritional measure, but only if they don't interact with prescribed
medications." - ✔️ Ans: D
Feedback:There is a valid role for supplements in meeting the nutritional
needs of older adults, but the risk of medication interactions must be taken
into account. It would be unnecessary to recommend complete avoidance
of all supplements or of those that contain calcium.
An older woman asks what she can do to reduce the risk of developing
osteoporosis. What should the nurse respond to this patient?
A) "The key to preventing osteoporosis is to remain physically active on a
regular basis."
B) "For women who have complete menopause, vitamin D supplements are
the best form of prevention."
C) "The best thing that you can do is to maximize your calcium intake by
including dairy at most meals and taking supplements as well."
D) "You need to make sure you are getting the recommended daily dose of
calcium, which may involve taking supplements at each meal." -
✔️ Ans: D
Feedback:Postmenopausal women need to ensure a daily intake of calcium
of at least 1 g. Supplements may be required. It would be inaccurate to
encourage the woman to consume as much calcium as possible given the
risks associated with excess calcium intake. Neither vitamin D
supplementation nor exercise is the primary preventative measure for the
development of osteoporosis.
An older patient with a history of renal failure is admitted with
dehydration and hyponatremia. The nurse identifies which assessment
findings as being consistent with the diagnosis of dehydration? (Select all
that apply.)
A) Confusion
B) Shortness of breath
C) Decreased skin elasticity
D) Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Even though a nursing assistant notices that an older patient's oral intake
has been poor since being admitted to the care area, the assistant is not
concerned since "older people don't need to eat much anyway." How should
the nurse respond to this assistant's comment?
A) "That's a myth actually; older adults have increased caloric and
nutritional needs."
B) "Actually, older adults who are sick require more calories than younger
people do during their recovery."
C) "You're right, but it's still important that we provide vitamin
supplements especially when a patient is recovering from an illness."
D) "Even though it is true that older people don't need quite as many
calories as younger people, they need as many nutrients as you or I."
- ✔️ Ans: D
Feedback:While caloric need does decrease with age, nutrient
requirements are relatively consistent across the life span. Older adults do
not have increased caloric and nutritional needs. Older adults who are sick
do not necessarily require more calories since the basal metabolic rate
declines 2% for each decade of life. Vitamin and mineral supplements for
older adults are undetermined.
A health-conscious resident of an assisted living facility is promoting the
value of fiber to a fellow resident. Which statement made by the resident
about the benefits of fiber is accurate?
A) Improved bowel activity and increased metabolic rate
B) Improved bowel activity and decreased serum cholesterol
C) Improved gastric emptying and prevention of colon cancer
D) Increased nutrient absorption and decreased glucose tolerance
- ✔️ Ans: B
Feedback:Fiber is noted to lower serum cholesterol and promote good
bowel activity. It is not noted to improve nutrient absorption or gastric
emptying or to increase overall metabolic rate.
During a home visit, the nurse is asked by an older couple if vitamin and
nutritional supplements can compensate for poor food intake. What should
the nurse respond to this question?
A) "Supplements can be useful but avoid those that contain calcium."
, B) "The risks of excess dosages mean that supplements are best avoided
entirely."
C) "Supplements should be thought of as supplements, not replacements,
so it's best not use them."
D) "Vitamin and nutrient supplements can be a useful short-term
nutritional measure, but only if they don't interact with prescribed
medications." - ✔️ Ans: D
Feedback:There is a valid role for supplements in meeting the nutritional
needs of older adults, but the risk of medication interactions must be taken
into account. It would be unnecessary to recommend complete avoidance
of all supplements or of those that contain calcium.
An older woman asks what she can do to reduce the risk of developing
osteoporosis. What should the nurse respond to this patient?
A) "The key to preventing osteoporosis is to remain physically active on a
regular basis."
B) "For women who have complete menopause, vitamin D supplements are
the best form of prevention."
C) "The best thing that you can do is to maximize your calcium intake by
including dairy at most meals and taking supplements as well."
D) "You need to make sure you are getting the recommended daily dose of
calcium, which may involve taking supplements at each meal." -
✔️ Ans: D
Feedback:Postmenopausal women need to ensure a daily intake of calcium
of at least 1 g. Supplements may be required. It would be inaccurate to
encourage the woman to consume as much calcium as possible given the
risks associated with excess calcium intake. Neither vitamin D
supplementation nor exercise is the primary preventative measure for the
development of osteoporosis.
An older patient with a history of renal failure is admitted with
dehydration and hyponatremia. The nurse identifies which assessment
findings as being consistent with the diagnosis of dehydration? (Select all
that apply.)
A) Confusion
B) Shortness of breath
C) Decreased skin elasticity
D) Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
