Brunner & Suddarth's
Textbook of Medical-
Surgical Nursing 14e
Ans: B, C, E
Feedback:
The sequence of assessment of parameters may vary, but evaluation of nutritional status includes one or
more of the following methods: measurement of BMI and waist circumference, biochemical
measurements, clinical examination findings, and dietary data. Ethnic mores and wrist circumference are
not assessment parameters for nutritional status.
39. The segment of the population who has a BMI lower than 24 has been found to be at increased risk for
poor nutritional status and its resultant problems. What else is a low BMI associated with in the
community-dwelling elderly?
A) High risk of diabetes
B) Increased incidence of falls
C) Higher mortality rate
D) Low risk of chronic disease
Ans: C
Feedback:
People who have a BMI lower than 24 (or who are 80% or less of their desirable body weight for height)
are at increased risk for problems associated with poor nutritional status. In addition, a low BMI is
associated with a higher mortality rate among hospitalized patients and community-dwelling elderly.
,Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) 102
Low BMI is not directly linked to an increased risk for falls or diabetes. Excessively low BMI does not
result in a decreased incidence of overall chronic disease.
40. Imbalanced nutrition can be characterized by excessive or deficient food intake. What potential effect of
imbalanced nutrition should the nurse be aware of when assessing patients?
A) Masking the symptoms of acute infection
B) Decreasing wound healing time
C) Contributing to shorter hospital stays
D) Prolonging confinement to bed
Ans: D
Feedback:
,Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) 103
Malnutrition interferes with wound healing, increases susceptibility to infection, and contributes to an
increased incidence of complications, longer hospital stays, and prolonged confinement of patients to
bed. Malnutrition does not mask the signs and symptoms of acute infection.
41. A nurse who has practiced in the hospital setting for several years will now transition to a new role in the
community. How does a physical assessment in the community vary in technique from physical
assessment in the hospital?
A) A physical assessment in the community consists of largely the same techniques as are used in the
hospital.
B) A physical assessment made in the community does not require the privacy that a physical
assessment made in the hospital setting requires.
C) A physical assessment made in the community requires that the patient be made more comfortable
than would be necessary in the hospital setting.
D) A physical assessment made in the community varies in technique from that conducted in the
hospital setting by being less structured.
Ans: A
Feedback:
The physical assessment in the community and home consists of the same techniques used in the
hospital, outpatient clinic, or office setting. Privacy is provided, and the person is made as comfortable
as possible. The importance of comfort, privacy and structure are similar in both settings.
42. You are conducting an assessment of a patient in her home setting. Your patient is a 91-year-old woman
who lives alone and has no family members living close by. What would you need to be aware of to aid
in providing care to this patient?
A) Where the closest relative lives
B) What resources are available to the patient
C) What the patients financial status is
D) How many children this patient has
Ans: B
Feedback:
The nurse must be aware of resources available in the community and methods of obtaining those
resources for the patient. The other data would be nice to know, but are not prerequisites to providing
, Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) 104
care to this patient.