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A home health nurse is providing nutrition education for a client who has trigeminal neuralgia. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend to decrease pain?

A.

Graham crackers

B.

Vanilla pudding

C.

Ice cream

D.

Vegetable soup

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Graham crackers: Hard, crunchy foods can trigger pain by irritating the trigeminal nerve, making them unsuitable for clients with trigeminal neuralgia. Soft, easy-to-swallow foods are preferred.

B. Vanilla pudding: Soft, smooth-textured foods are recommended to minimize irritation of the trigeminal nerve. Vanilla pudding requires minimal chewing, reducing the risk of triggering pain.

C. Ice cream: Extremely cold foods can act as a trigeminal nerve irritant and may provoke pain episodes. Lukewarm or room-temperature foods are preferable.

D. Vegetable soup: Although liquid-based, vegetable soup often contains solid pieces that require chewing, which can increase the risk of triggering pain. Blended or pureed soups are a better option.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is ["C","D","E","F","G","H","I","J"]

Explanation

  • Open wound on right foot with purulent drainage: A non-healing wound with purulent drainage suggests infection, which is a major concern in clients with hyperglycemia. Poor wound healing is common in diabetes due to impaired circulation and immune function.
  • Frequent urination, increased thirst, and unexplained 4.5 kg (10 lb) weight loss: Classic symptoms of hyperglycemia and possible diabetes mellitus. Polyuria and polydipsia result from osmotic diuresis due to high blood glucose levels, while unexplained weight loss may indicate the body breaking down fat and muscle for energy.
  • Temperature 38.3° C (100.9° F): Fever indicates a possible systemic infection. In diabetic clients, infections can progress rapidly and lead to complications such as cellulitis, osteomyelitis, or sepsis.
  • Heart rate 104/min: Tachycardia may be a response to fever, dehydration, or underlying infection. Persistent tachycardia could indicate worsening sepsis or hemodynamic instability.
  • Blood pressure 98/74 mm Hg: While not critically low, this blood pressure is on the lower end and could indicate early signs of dehydration from polyuria or systemic infection.
  • Blood glucose 250 mg/dL: Significantly elevated blood glucose suggests poor glycemic control, increasing the risk of infection, delayed wound healing, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) if it continues to rise.:
  • Respiratory rate 18/min: A normal respiratory rate does not indicate respiratory distress or metabolic compensation.
  • Oxygen saturation 97% on room air: Oxygenation is within the normal range, suggesting no immediate hypoxia.
  • WBC count 9,500/mm³: Within the normal range, although an infection may still be present given the fever and purulent wound drainage.
  • Triiodothyronine (T3) 200 mg/dL: Within normal limits, ruling out thyroid dysfunction as a cause of symptoms.
  • BMI 27: Slightly overweight but not directly contributing to the acute condition.

Correct Answer is ["C","D","E","G"]

Explanation

  • Pain level: Chest pain rated at 7/10 with radiation to the left arm, along with diaphoresis and nausea, indicates a potential acute coronary syndrome, likely a myocardial infarction. Immediate intervention is necessary to relieve pain and address the underlying cause, as this could prevent further complications and potential cardiac damage.
  • Electrocardiogram findings: ST-segment elevation and T wave changes suggest an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which requires urgent medical attention. Prompt identification and activation of treatment protocols, such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolytic therapy, are critical to restore blood flow and minimize myocardial damage.
  • Troponin T level: An elevated troponin T level (0.40 ng/mL, with a normal range <0.1 ng/mL) indicates myocardial injury, supporting the diagnosis of an acute myocardial infarction. Immediate management is essential to mitigate further cardiac injury and ensure appropriate treatment is initiated based on the severity of the elevation.
  • Blood pressure: While the blood pressure reading of 164/80 mm Hg indicates hypertension, it is not critically high and does not require immediate intervention like the other findings. However, elevated blood pressure in the context of a myocardial infarction can increase myocardial oxygen demand, leading to further complications, thus it should be monitored closely.
  • Blood glucose level: The blood glucose level of 103 mg/dL is within normal limits (74-106 mg/dL) and does not indicate an immediate concern. Although monitoring blood glucose is essential in clients with diabetes, it is not a priority in the context of acute coronary syndrome.
  • Bowel sounds: The presence of bowel sounds indicates gastrointestinal function and does not require immediate follow-up in this context. While it’s important to assess overall health, bowel sounds are not a priority when addressing acute cardiac symptoms.
  • Lung sounds: Clear lung sounds indicate that there is no pulmonary congestion or other respiratory complications at this time. While lung assessment is essential for overall patient evaluation, clear lung sounds do not require immediate follow-up in this acute setting.

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