The nurse is assessing a patient prior to surgery for oral cancer. Which of the following would be considered a risk factor for the development of this disease?

A. Oral feeding supplements are often included in the care plan for clients with malnutrition. They provide additional calories and nutrients that can help improve the client's nutritional status and support recovery. This is an appropriate prescription.
B. Daily weights are essential in monitoring the client’s fluid status and overall nutritional progress.
Weight changes can indicate improvements or worsening of the client’s condition, particularly in cases
of malnutrition or fluid retention. This is a valuable prescription.
C. A low protein diet is generally not appropriate for a client with anemia and malnutrition. Protein is essential for healing, maintaining muscle mass, and overall health. Instead, the care plan should emphasize adequate protein intake to support recovery and address nutritional deficiencies.
D. Monitoring pre-albumin levels is crucial in assessing the client's nutritional status. Pre-albumin is a sensitive marker for protein status and can help gauge the effectiveness of nutritional interventions. This is an important prescription to include.
E. Keeping a calorie count helps assess the client's intake and ensure that they are receiving adequate nutrition. This information is vital for adjusting the dietary plan as needed to meet the client’s caloric and nutritional needs. Therefore, this is a relevant prescription.

A. While a lower sodium diet is generally beneficial for overall health, it is not specifically linked to managing GERD symptoms. This choice may be included in broader health advice but isn't a primary recommendation for GERD.
B. Staying upright helps prevent the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, reducing the risk of reflux. This advice helps the digestive process and minimizes symptoms.
C. This is highly recommended for individuals with GERD. Elevating the head of the bed can help prevent nighttime reflux by using gravity to keep stomach contents from rising into the esophagus during sleep. This practice is effective in managing symptoms.
D. A high-fiber diet can be beneficial for overall digestive health and may help with GERD symptoms. Low-fat diets are also recommended since high-fat foods can exacerbate reflux by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter. This is a good recommendation to include in the teaching plan.
E. This recommendation is not always necessary. While some individuals may find that large meals trigger their GERD symptoms, avoiding snacks isn't universally required. In fact, small, healthy snacks may be tolerated well and can prevent hunger-related reflux symptoms.