A nurse is updating a plan of care for a client who has a new prescription for a calorie count. Which of the following interventions should the nurse Include?
Record between-meal snacks on the calorie count form.
Begin the calorie count with the client's next evening meal.
Exclude liquids in the total calorie count.
Complete the calorie count for a 5-day period.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Record between-meal snacks on the calorie count form: Between-meal snacks contribute significantly to a client's total daily caloric intake and must be included to obtain an accurate calorie count. Omitting these snacks can result in an incomplete dietary assessment, potentially leading to inaccurate evaluations of the client's nutritional status.
B. Begin the calorie count with the client's next evening meal: Calorie counts should begin as soon as the prescription is initiated, not delayed until a specific mealtime. Waiting to begin with the evening meal may result in missed intake data and reduce the accuracy of the assessment. Timely initiation ensures the healthcare team captures a complete and accurate picture of the client’s intake patterns.
C. Exclude liquids in the total calorie count: Liquids, especially those containing calories such as juice, milk, nutritional supplements, or sweetened beverages, must be included in a calorie count. Excluding these items can underestimate the client’s actual caloric intake and interfere with proper evaluation and planning of their nutritional needs.
D. Complete the calorie count for a 5-day period: A standard calorie count is typically conducted over a 72-hour (3-day) period, which is sufficient to identify trends and provide nutritional insights. Extending the count unnecessarily to 5 days may not yield additional useful data and can burden both clients and staff. The focus should be on consistency and completeness within the accepted timeframe.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Has occasional incontinence. Incontinence increases moisture exposure and contributes to skin breakdown risk, but "occasional" incontinence presents a moderate rather than the highest level of risk. Consistent exposure would be more concerning.
B. Eats one serving of protein per day. Inadequate protein intake significantly impairs tissue repair and skin integrity, placing the client at the highest risk for pressure injuries. Protein is essential for maintaining skin health and supporting the healing process.
C. Responds to verbal commands. This indicates that the client is alert and cognitively intact, allowing for active participation in repositioning and care, which lowers the risk for skin breakdown.
D. Is able to walk short distances. Some level of mobility helps relieve pressure and promotes circulation, both of which reduce the likelihood of pressure injury development. Limited mobility presents less risk than poor nutritional intake.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Clear-colored urine: Clear-colored urine typically indicates adequate hydration or even overhydration. In Clostridium difficile, where the client may be experiencing profuse diarrhea, clear urine would not align with fluid volume deficit. This finding suggests the kidneys are excreting diluted urine, which is not consistent with dehydration.
B. Decreased urine specific gravity: A decreased urine specific gravity reflects dilute urine and usually points to overhydration or an inability to concentrate urine. In a client with C. difficile and likely diarrhea-related fluid loss, the expected finding would be a concentrated urine with increased specific gravity, not decreased.
C. Increased hematocrit: An increased hematocrit indicates hemoconcentration, which occurs when plasma volume is reduced due to fluid loss. In the setting of Clostridium difficile infection, where fluid is lost rapidly through diarrhea, this rise in hematocrit is a classic marker of fluid volume deficit. It reflects the relative increase in red blood cells due to a lower plasma volume.
D. Hypertension: Hypertension is more commonly associated with fluid volume excess or other cardiovascular conditions. In cases of fluid volume deficit, hypotension or orthostatic hypotension is more expected due to decreased circulating blood volume. Therefore, high blood pressure would not support the diagnosis of dehydration in this context.
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