The nurse is assessing an older female adult's client's nutritional status. Which finding indicates that the client has a nutritional deficiency?

Reference Ranges:

Hemoglobin [12 to 16 g/dl (120 to 160 g/L)]

Hematocrit 37% to 47% (0.37 to 0.47 volume fraction)]

Albumin [3.5 to 5.0 g/dl (35 to 50 g/L)]

Serum transferrin [250 to 380 mg/dl (2.5 to 3.80 g/L)]

A hemoglobin (Hgb) of 11.8 g/dL (118 g/L) and hematocrit (Hct) of 34% (0.34).

Low weight as determined from a height/weight comparison chart.

Decreased lean body mass compared to results of 10 years ago.

Serum albumin of 3 g/dL (30 g/L) and serum transferrin of 180 mg/dL (1.8 g/L).

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hematocrit (Hct) are important indicators of anemia, which can be caused by nutritional deficiencies such as iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiencies. For an older adult female, the reference range for hemoglobin is 12 to 16 g/dL, and the hematocrit range is 37% to 47%. A hemoglobin of 11.8 g/dL and a hematocrit of 34% are below the normal range, indicating potential anemia, which could be related to nutritional deficiencies.
B.   Weight loss or being underweight can be a sign of nutritional deficiency, particularly if it is unintentional. However, this option lacks specific details about the extent of weight loss and its relation to other indicators. Weight alone does not provide complete information about nutritional deficiencies without additional context, such as changes in weight over time or body composition.
C.   A decrease in lean body mass can be indicative of malnutrition or a prolonged deficiency in protein or overall caloric intake. While it is an important indicator of nutritional status, it reflects long-term changes and may not immediately show acute deficiencies.
D.   Serum albumin and serum transferrin are biomarkers of nutritional status. The reference range for serum albumin is 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL, and for serum transferrin, it is 250 to 380 mg/dL. A serum albumin level of 3 g/dL and a serum transferrin level of 180 mg/dL are both below the normal range, indicating possible malnutrition or protein deficiency.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. After a myocardial infarction, it is important to monitor the client’s blood pressure before they start ambulating to assess their hemodynamic stability. Changes in blood pressure during or after ambulation could indicate problems such as orthostatic hypotension or cardiovascular instability.
B. While monitoring urinary output is important for assessing renal function and fluid balance, it is not the most immediate concern when preparing the client to ambulate post-MI. The priority is to ensure cardiovascular stability and safety during ambulation, so other interventions take precedence in this situation.
C. Dietary teaching about a cardiac diet is important for long-term management and recovery after an MI. However, it is not the immediate concern when the client is preparing to ambulate for the first time. The priority at this moment is to ensure the client’s safety and stability during the initial physical activity.
D. Vital signs should certainly be monitored, but the more immediate concern when the client is preparing to ambulate is ensuring cardiovascular stability and assessing any potential risk factors that could arise during the activity.

A. 4+ pitting edema of both lower extremities. B. Hypoactive bowel sounds with infrequent bowel movements. C. Braden risk assessment scale rating score of ten. D. Warm, dry skin with a fever of 100.0° F (37.8° C).

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Pitting edema, especially at a 4+ level, indicates significant fluid retention in the lower extremities. While this can be a concern for skin integrity and may contribute to skin breakdown due to increased pressure and reduced mobility, it is not the most direct indicator for turning schedules.
B. Hypoactive bowel sounds and infrequent bowel movements suggest gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation or reduced bowel motility. While these issues are important to address for overall client health, they do not directly impact the scheduling of turning to prevent pressure ulcers.
C. The Braden Risk Assessment Scale is a tool used to evaluate a client's risk for developing pressure ulcers. A score of 10 indicates a high risk for pressure ulcer development. This assessment directly informs the need for a more aggressive turning schedule and other preventive measures to protect skin integrity.
D. Warm, dry skin and a low-grade fever might indicate an infection or other underlying condition, but these factors are not the primary considerations for determining the turning schedule. While fever and skin temperature can be important for overall assessment and care, they do not directly impact the need for turning to prevent pressure ulcers.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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