Mr. P, a 65-year-old man, has been referred to a home health agency after an unexplained 10-pound weight loss over the past 6 months. When assessing Mr. P, which of the following data should the nurse gather first?
Physical activity level
Recent blood albumin levels
List of current medications
Family history of chronic illness
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Physical activity level influences energy expenditure but is secondary in unexplained weight loss. Low activity may contribute to muscle loss, but it does not directly indicate nutritional status or underlying causes like malnutrition or disease, which are more urgent to assess in a 65-year-old.
Choice B reason: Blood albumin levels (3.5-5.0 g/dL) reflect protein status and nutritional health, critical in unexplained weight loss. Low albumin indicates malnutrition or illness (e.g., cancer, liver disease), which may cause weight loss in older adults, making it the priority assessment to guide diagnosis and intervention.
Choice C reason: Current medications can cause weight loss (e.g., diuretics), but their impact is secondary to nutritional status. Assessing medications provides context but does not directly measure protein deficiency or disease, which albumin levels better indicate in the context of unexplained weight loss.
Choice D reason: Family history of chronic illness informs long-term risk but is not immediate in assessing recent weight loss. It provides background for conditions like cancer but does not directly address current nutritional or metabolic status, making it less urgent than albumin levels.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Yams are starchy vegetables, providing about 2 grams of protein per cup, primarily carbohydrates. They lack essential amino acids, making them incomplete and unsuitable as a primary protein source for meeting the body’s needs for tissue repair and enzyme synthesis.
Choice B reason: Oatmeal offers about 5 grams of protein per cup but is incomplete, deficient in lysine. It requires combination with other foods to provide all essential amino acids, making it less effective than soybeans as a standalone source of complete protein for dietary needs.
Choice C reason: Soybeans are a complete protein, providing all nine essential amino acids, with about 29 grams of protein per cup. They support muscle repair, immune function, and metabolic needs, making them an ideal plant-based complete protein source for vegetarians or general diets.
Choice D reason: Almonds provide about 7 grams of protein per ounce but are incomplete, lacking sufficient lysine. They require complementary foods to meet essential amino acid needs, making them less effective than soybeans as a standalone complete protein source for dietary requirements.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: A 4-ounce container of Greek yogurt provides about 10 grams of complete protein, rich in essential amino acids. While nutritious, its protein content is significantly lower than salmon, making it less effective for meeting high protein needs in diets requiring substantial amino acid intake.
Choice B reason: An 8-ounce salmon fillet offers approximately 46 grams of complete protein, containing all essential amino acids. This high protein content supports muscle repair, immune function, and metabolic needs, making it the highest protein source among the options, ideal for high-protein dietary requirements.
Choice C reason: Two cups of kale provide about 5 grams of protein, primarily incomplete, lacking sufficient essential amino acids like methionine. As a leafy green, kale is better suited for vitamins and fiber, not as a primary protein source, making it inadequate for high-protein needs.
Choice D reason: One cup of almond milk provides about 1 gram of protein, significantly lower than animal-based sources like salmon or yogurt. It lacks essential amino acids and is primarily a low-protein beverage, unsuitable as a primary protein source for meeting nutritional requirements.
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