A nurse is teaching the partner of a client about administering intermittent enteral feedings. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice C reason: This statement shows that the client has understood the importance of vitamin D and calcium for bone health. Fortified milk, fatty fish, and cheese are good sources of both nutrients, which help to maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis.

Choice A reason: This statement is incorrect, as vitamin A supplementation can have adverse effects on bone health. Excessive intake of vitamin A can increase the risk of fractures and reduce bone mineral density.

Choice B reason: This statement is partially correct, as calcium supplementation can help to meet the daily requirement of calcium for bone health. However, calcium alone is not enough, as vitamin D is also needed to facilitate the absorption of calcium and prevent its loss from the bones.

Choice D reason: This statement is irrelevant, as none of the foods mentioned are particularly beneficial for bone health. Orange juice, lean meats, and egg whites are good sources of vitamin C, protein, and biotin, respectively, but they do not provide significant amounts of vitamin D or calcium.

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.