NSG 4067: DIGESTION AND NUTRITION
1. A nurse teaches an older adult about changes to nutritional requirements. Which of the
following meal choices would give evidence that the older adult understands the teaching?
A) Baked chicken, carrots, and angel food cake
B) Green salad, mashed potatoes, and an oatmeal cookie
C) Vegetable beef soup, crackers, and Jell-O
D) Baked pork chop, green beans, and sherbet
Ans: A
Feedback:
Older adults need increased intake of foods with a high nutritional value and a concomitant
decrease in the intake of foods containing little or no nutrients.
2. A nurse teaches older adults about nutrition. Which of the following statements shows the
nurse that the older adult requires further teaching?
A) "Alcohol intake will interfere with absorption of B-complex vitamins and vitamin C."
B) "Certain 'fluid' pills can decrease the potassium level in my blood."
C) "Anticholinergic medications can cause my intestines to work slower."
D) "My over-the-counter beta-carotene pill is appropriate for long-term use."
Ans: D
Feedback:
Long-term beta-carotene use can cause vitamin E deficiency. Paralytic ileus can occur with
anticholinergic medication. Nutritional supplements and herbal preparations can affect nutrients.
Alcohol interferes with the absorption of B-complex vitamins and vitamin C.
3. A 70-year-old client with urosepsis is admitted to a nursing unit. The labs include elevated
sodium, blood urea nitrogen, hematocrit, and albumin. Which of the following nursing diagnoses
is priority for this client?
A) Constipation
B) Fluid volume deficit
C) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
D) Impaired tissue perfusion
Ans: B
Feedback:
, The appropriate nursing diagnosis is fluid volume deficit. Blood values that may be altered in
dehydration include elevations in sodium, hematocrit, creatinine, osmolality, and blood urea
nitrogen. While the client may develop constipation, it is not the priority at this time. Albumin
will be decreased with poor nutrition but increased with dehydration. An elevation in these labs
does not implicate impaired tissue perfusion.
4. A nurse plans the diet for an older adult with congestive heart failure. Which of these nursing
interventions would be most successful to encourage optimal nutrition?
A) Encourage calorie supplements.
B) Provide 55% of calories from complex carbohydrates.
C) Teach older adults to sit upright for 2 hours after a meal.
D) Use moderate to large amounts of flavor enhancers.
Ans: B
Feedback:
Dietary guidelines for older adults recommend a daily intake of five to nine servings of fruits and
vegetables; 55% of calories need to come from complex carbohydrates. Older adults need fewer
calories with increased quality of nutrients in their nutritional requirements. Older adults with
presbyesophagus must sit upright for 30 minutes to 1 hour after eating. Flavor enhancers (except
lemon) contain sodium and need to be used in small amounts for older adults who have a
diminished sense of taste.
5. A nurse teaches a health education class for older adults about constipation. Which of the
following points should the nurse stress?
A) Older adults who do not have a daily bowel movement should use a laxative.
B) Older adults should limit their intake of high-fiber foods because of a risk of lactose
intolerance.
C) If older adults need a medication to promote bowel regularity, a laxative or enema should
be given.
D) If older adults need a medication to promote bowel regularity, a bulk-forming agent is
needed daily.
Ans: D
Feedback:
A bulk-forming agent is least likely to have detrimental effects; providing fluid intake is
adequate, if a medication is needed to promote regular bowel elimination. If at all possible, older
adults should avoid laxatives. Older adults should include several portions of high-fiber foods in
their daily diet.
1. A nurse teaches an older adult about changes to nutritional requirements. Which of the
following meal choices would give evidence that the older adult understands the teaching?
A) Baked chicken, carrots, and angel food cake
B) Green salad, mashed potatoes, and an oatmeal cookie
C) Vegetable beef soup, crackers, and Jell-O
D) Baked pork chop, green beans, and sherbet
Ans: A
Feedback:
Older adults need increased intake of foods with a high nutritional value and a concomitant
decrease in the intake of foods containing little or no nutrients.
2. A nurse teaches older adults about nutrition. Which of the following statements shows the
nurse that the older adult requires further teaching?
A) "Alcohol intake will interfere with absorption of B-complex vitamins and vitamin C."
B) "Certain 'fluid' pills can decrease the potassium level in my blood."
C) "Anticholinergic medications can cause my intestines to work slower."
D) "My over-the-counter beta-carotene pill is appropriate for long-term use."
Ans: D
Feedback:
Long-term beta-carotene use can cause vitamin E deficiency. Paralytic ileus can occur with
anticholinergic medication. Nutritional supplements and herbal preparations can affect nutrients.
Alcohol interferes with the absorption of B-complex vitamins and vitamin C.
3. A 70-year-old client with urosepsis is admitted to a nursing unit. The labs include elevated
sodium, blood urea nitrogen, hematocrit, and albumin. Which of the following nursing diagnoses
is priority for this client?
A) Constipation
B) Fluid volume deficit
C) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
D) Impaired tissue perfusion
Ans: B
Feedback:
, The appropriate nursing diagnosis is fluid volume deficit. Blood values that may be altered in
dehydration include elevations in sodium, hematocrit, creatinine, osmolality, and blood urea
nitrogen. While the client may develop constipation, it is not the priority at this time. Albumin
will be decreased with poor nutrition but increased with dehydration. An elevation in these labs
does not implicate impaired tissue perfusion.
4. A nurse plans the diet for an older adult with congestive heart failure. Which of these nursing
interventions would be most successful to encourage optimal nutrition?
A) Encourage calorie supplements.
B) Provide 55% of calories from complex carbohydrates.
C) Teach older adults to sit upright for 2 hours after a meal.
D) Use moderate to large amounts of flavor enhancers.
Ans: B
Feedback:
Dietary guidelines for older adults recommend a daily intake of five to nine servings of fruits and
vegetables; 55% of calories need to come from complex carbohydrates. Older adults need fewer
calories with increased quality of nutrients in their nutritional requirements. Older adults with
presbyesophagus must sit upright for 30 minutes to 1 hour after eating. Flavor enhancers (except
lemon) contain sodium and need to be used in small amounts for older adults who have a
diminished sense of taste.
5. A nurse teaches a health education class for older adults about constipation. Which of the
following points should the nurse stress?
A) Older adults who do not have a daily bowel movement should use a laxative.
B) Older adults should limit their intake of high-fiber foods because of a risk of lactose
intolerance.
C) If older adults need a medication to promote bowel regularity, a laxative or enema should
be given.
D) If older adults need a medication to promote bowel regularity, a bulk-forming agent is
needed daily.
Ans: D
Feedback:
A bulk-forming agent is least likely to have detrimental effects; providing fluid intake is
adequate, if a medication is needed to promote regular bowel elimination. If at all possible, older
adults should avoid laxatives. Older adults should include several portions of high-fiber foods in
their daily diet.
