A nurse is planning care for a client who had a stroke and is having difficulty eating. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

A. Offer the client a selection of beverages at each meal: Providing a variety of beverages may offer hydration and a sense of control, but clients with anorexia nervosa often use fluids to avoid calorie-dense solid foods. This approach can reinforce avoidance behaviors and does not contribute meaningfully to nutritional rehabilitation or psychological recovery.
B. Inform the client that a weight gain of 2.3 kg (5 lb) per week is expected: A weight gain goal of 2.3 kg per week is too aggressive and may provoke anxiety or resistance from the client. A slower, more gradual goal of 0.5 to 1 kg (1 to 2 lb) per week is considered safer and more psychologically tolerable. Unrealistic expectations can harm rapport and may lead to nonadherence or relapse.
C. Arrange for someone to remain with the client for 30 min after meals: Monitoring after meals is essential to prevent purging or other compensatory behaviors. The standard is 60 to 90 minutes post-meal observation to address delayed attempts at purging or exercising. Thus, while well-intentioned, this time frame is insufficient.
D. Encourage the client to participate in developing dietary goals: Involving the client in setting dietary goals promotes a sense of autonomy, collaboration, and ownership in the recovery process. This approach is therapeutic, reduces power struggles, and helps build trust between the nurse and the client.

A. Legumes: Legumes, such as beans and lentils, are rich in protein but do not contain all nine essential amino acids in sufficient amounts, making them incomplete proteins. To achieve a complete amino acid profile, legumes must be combined with other protein sources, such as grains. Therefore, legumes are not classified as complete proteins on their own.
B. Eggs: Eggs are a high-quality source of protein and contain all nine essential amino acids in the appropriate proportions needed by the human body. They are considered one of the most biologically complete protein sources and are often used as the reference standard for evaluating protein quality in other foods.
C. Poultry: Poultry, such as chicken and turkey, provides all the essential amino acids required for protein synthesis in the body. It is classified as a complete protein and is a valuable source of high-quality animal protein in the human diet. Poultry supports tissue repair, immune function, and muscle maintenance.
D. Grains: Grains like rice, wheat, and oats contain some essential amino acids but lack others, such as lysine, making them incomplete proteins. To form a complete protein, grains need to be eaten in combination with other sources, such as legumes. Alone, they do not fulfill the criteria for a complete protein.
E. Nuts: Nuts are rich in healthy fats and protein, but they do not contain all essential amino acids in sufficient quantities. Like legumes and grains, nuts are incomplete proteins and must be combined with other plant-based foods to form a complete protein profile. Therefore, they are not included as complete proteins in this context.