A patient tells the nurse they cannot afford to buy meat every day. Which of the following meals should the nurse suggest as a good source of protein that is also budget-friendly?

Choice A reason: Complex proteins is not a standard term in nutritional science. Proteins are classified as complete or incomplete based on essential amino acid profiles. Plant sources like grains and nuts lack one or more essential amino acids, making this an incorrect classification for such proteins.

Choice B reason: Incomplete proteins, such as those from grains, nuts, and most legumes, lack one or more essential amino acids required for human protein synthesis. Combining these with complementary plant sources (e.g., rice and beans) can form complete proteins, meeting dietary needs for growth and repair.

Choice C reason: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts, typically found in animal sources like meat or soy. Most plant sources, excluding soybeans, are incomplete, as they are deficient in certain amino acids, making this an incorrect choice.

Choice D reason: Simple proteins is a biochemical term referring to proteins composed solely of amino acids, not a nutritional classification. It does not describe the amino acid profile or dietary role of plant-based proteins, which are typically incomplete, making this an incorrect option.

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.