A nurse is caring for an elderly client admitted to the emergency department. When the nurse learns that the client has muscle wasting, which does the nurse suspect?

Positive nitrogen balance

Gluconeogenesis

Negative nitrogen balance

Ketosis

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Positive nitrogen balance occurs when nitrogen intake exceeds excretion, promoting muscle growth, as seen in athletes or pregnancy. In elderly clients with muscle wasting, protein breakdown exceeds synthesis, leading to muscle loss, making this an incorrect assumption for the observed condition.

Choice B reason: Gluconeogenesis is the liver’s process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, like amino acids, during starvation or low carbohydrate intake. While it may occur in muscle wasting, it is not the primary cause or indicator, as muscle loss is driven by protein catabolism.

Choice C reason: Negative nitrogen balance indicates protein breakdown exceeds intake, common in elderly clients with muscle wasting due to inadequate protein consumption, illness, or reduced absorption. This leads to muscle loss, as amino acids are not sufficiently replaced, aligning with the observed symptoms.

Choice D reason: Ketosis occurs when the body burns fat for energy, producing ketones, typically during low-carbohydrate diets. While it may accompany malnutrition, it is not directly linked to muscle wasting, which is primarily driven by protein deficiency and catabolism in this context.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Fried foods, high in saturated and trans fats, elevate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, promoting atherosclerosis and increasing heart disease risk. They offer no protective benefit, as their high fat content (9 kcal/gram) contributes to arterial plaque formation, making this an incorrect choice.

Choice B reason: Cardiac rehabilitation is a treatment after a heart attack, not a preventative measure. It improves recovery through exercise and education but does not prevent initial heart disease, as it addresses existing conditions rather than reducing risk factors like cholesterol or hypertension.

Choice C reason: Lean meats (turkey, chicken) and fish, low in saturated fat and rich in omega-3s (fish), reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and atherosclerosis risk. Providing 20-26 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving, they support heart health, making this a key preventative lifestyle change.

Choice D reason: Blood pressure medication manages hypertension, a heart disease risk factor, but is not a lifestyle change. It is a medical intervention, not a preventative dietary or behavioral modification, making it less aligned with proactive heart disease prevention compared to dietary changes.

A. Fried chicken wings B. Turkey breast C. Processed deli meats D. Bacon cheeseburger

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Fried chicken wings are high in saturated fats due to frying, contributing to elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and heart disease risk. While they provide about 20 grams of protein per serving, their preparation makes them unsuitable for a heart-healthy lifestyle focused on reducing cardiovascular risks.

Choice B reason: Turkey breast is a lean protein, providing about 26 grams per 3-ounce serving with low saturated fat. It supports muscle maintenance without increasing cholesterol levels, reducing atherosclerosis risk, making it an ideal choice for a heart-healthy diet that prioritizes cardiovascular health and protein intake.

Choice C reason: Processed deli meats are high in sodium and saturated fats, contributing to hypertension and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, increasing heart disease risk. Despite offering about 15 grams of protein per serving, their additives and fats make them unsuitable for heart-healthy diets.

Choice D reason: Bacon cheeseburgers are high in saturated fats from beef and bacon, elevating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and heart disease risk. Providing about 30 grams of protein, their high fat content (9 kcal/gram) makes them detrimental to cardiovascular health, unlike leaner protein sources.

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A nurse is caring for an elderly client admitted to the emergency department. When the nurse learns that the client has muscle wasting, which does the nurse suspect?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which of the following is a preventative lifestyle change to help protect against heart disease?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which of the following is considered one of the best sources of protein to include as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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The nurse is teaching a patient about making healthy protein choices. Which of the following types of protein should the nurse advise the patient to eat less frequently?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching to a group of older adults about sources of complete and incomplete protein. Which of the following foods should the nurse include as a complete protein?

When discharging a client who had gastric bypass surgery, a nurse makes sure to include which food sources in the client’s discharge planning about complete proteins? (Select all that apply)

A nurse is assisting an adolescent client in the selection of complementary protein sources on the lunch menu. The client is a vegetarian who eats milk products but does not like beans. Which of the following food items should the nurse recommend?