A nurse is providing calorie-count information to a client who has a BMI of 35. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Setting a weight loss goal is an important step in the weight management process, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should first assess the client's readiness and willingness to change, as well as the factors that motivate the client to lose weight.

Choice B reason: Identifying the client's motivation is the first action the nurse should take, as it helps the nurse to tailor the interventions to the client's needs and preferences. The nurse should explore the client's reasons for wanting to lose weight, such as improving health, appearance, or self-esteem, and use them as positive reinforcement.

Choice C reason: Discussing behavior modification is a key component of weight management, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should first identify the client's motivation and then help the client to develop realistic and specific goals and strategies to change their eating and physical activity habits.

Choice D reason: Referring the client to a dietitian is a helpful action, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should first identify the client's motivation and then collaborate with the dietitian to provide individualized and evidence-based dietary advice and education to the client.

Choice A reason: Acute stress causes an increase in metabolism, as the body activates the sympathetic nervous system and releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones increase the heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption, and mobilize glucose and fatty acids for energy. The nurse should explain to the clients that acute stress can have beneficial effects, such as enhancing alertness, memory, and performance, but it can also have harmful effects, such as impairing digestion, immunity, and growth.

Choice B reason: Stress causes a negative nitrogen balance in the body, not a positive one. Nitrogen balance is the difference between the amount of nitrogen ingested and the amount of nitrogen excreted. A positive nitrogen balance means that the body is retaining more nitrogen than it is losing, which indicates growth, healing, or pregnancy. A negative nitrogen balance means that the body is losing more nitrogen than it is retaining, which indicates malnutrition, illness, or injury. The nurse should inform the clients that stress can cause a negative nitrogen balance, as the body breaks down protein for energy and loses nitrogen through urine, sweat, and wounds.

Choice C reason: Protein requirements increase in times of stress, not decrease. Protein is essential for tissue repair, immune function, and hormone synthesis. The nurse should advise the clients that stress can increase the protein needs of the body, as the body loses protein through catabolism, inflammation, and infection. The nurse should recommend the clients to consume adequate amounts of high-quality protein, such as eggs, milk, cheese, meat, fish, poultry, soy, and nuts.

Choice D reason: Glucose is broken down more quickly during times of stress, not more slowly. Glucose is the main source of energy for the brain and the muscles. The nurse should educate the clients that stress can increase the glucose levels in the blood, as the body releases glucose from the liver and muscles to provide fuel for the stress response. The nurse should also warn the clients that chronic stress can lead to insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.