During a nutritional assessment, why is it important for the nurse to ask a patient what medications he or she is taking?

Medications need to be documented in the record for the physician's review.

The nurse needs to assess the patient for allergic reactions.

Certain drugs can affect the metabolism of nutrients.

Medications can affect one's memory and ability to identify food eaten in the last 24 hours.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale

While documenting medications is important for the physician's review, this is not the primary nutritional assessment reason for asking about medications. The focus here is on how medications interact with nutritional status.

Choice B rationale

Assessing for allergic reactions to medications is crucial for patient safety, but it is a separate aspect of medication history and not directly related to the metabolism of nutrients during a nutritional assessment.

Choice C rationale

Certain medications can significantly interfere with the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of various nutrients. For example, some drugs can increase nutrient excretion, decrease appetite, or alter the body's ability to utilize vitamins and minerals, directly impacting nutritional status.

Choice D rationale

While some medications can affect memory and thus the accuracy of a 24-hour food recall, the more direct and critical reason for asking about medications during a nutritional assessment is to identify potential drug-nutrient interactions that affect metabolism.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Canned tuna and salmon, while sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, are not particularly high in potassium. Clients taking potassium-wasting diuretics need foods rich in potassium to replace the electrolytes lost through increased urination.

Choice B rationale

Oranges and bananas are excellent sources of potassium. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that is often depleted by potassium-wasting diuretics like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide. Consuming these fruits helps maintain adequate potassium levels, which are crucial for cardiac function and muscle contraction. The normal range for serum potassium is typically 3.5-5.0 mEq/L.

Choice C rationale

Dried fruits, such as apricots and raisins, are high in potassium. However, the question asks what the nurse *should* include, and while dried fruits are beneficial, fresh fruits like oranges and bananas are often more readily available and consumed in larger quantities.

Choice D rationale

Cow's milk contains potassium but is not specifically emphasized for clients on potassium-wasting diuretics. Other food sources like fruits and vegetables generally provide a more direct and often higher concentration of potassium without the added phosphorus and calcium found in milk, which may be considerations for some individuals.

A. Light palpation for tenderness and muscle tone. B. Auscultation of the bowel sounds in all four quadrants. C. Percussion for tones in all four quadrants. D. Deep palpation for masses or aortic pulsations.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Light palpation is typically performed after auscultation to assess for superficial tenderness, muscle tone, and pulsations. Auscultation precedes palpation to avoid inducing artificial bowel sounds or altering existing ones due to manual pressure.

Choice B rationale

Auscultation of bowel sounds in all four quadrants is the next step in the abdominal assessment after inspection. Listening to bowel sounds provides information about the motility of the gastrointestinal tract and should be done before palpation or percussion, which can alter these sounds.

Choice C rationale

Percussion for tones in all four quadrants is usually performed after auscultation and before palpation. Percussion helps to assess the size and density of abdominal organs and to identify the presence of fluid or air.

Choice D rationale

Deep palpation is performed last in the abdominal assessment sequence to evaluate for deeper masses and aortic pulsations. It follows inspection, auscultation, and light palpation, allowing the nurse to gather preliminary information before applying deeper pressure. .

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During a nutritional assessment, why is it important for the nurse to ask a patient what medications he or she is taking?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about nutrition.The client has hypertension and is taking a potassium-wasting diuretic.Which of the following dietary instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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