How can a nurse best assess a patient's dietary habits effect on their overall health?
Obtain a height and weight and calculate a body mass index (BMI)
Review all medications the patient is taking
Ask about how much food is eaten at an average meal
Assess for the presence of any chronic disease processes
The Correct Answer is A
A) Obtain a height and weight and calculate a body mass index (BMI): Calculating BMI provides a valuable assessment of a patient’s body composition and overall health related to dietary habits. BMI is a widely used indicator that helps categorize individuals into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese categories. Understanding where a patient falls within these categories can highlight the potential impact of dietary habits on health and guide further dietary interventions or education.
B) Review all medications the patient is taking: While reviewing medications is important, it primarily focuses on pharmacological management rather than directly assessing dietary habits. Some medications may have dietary restrictions or require specific nutrient intake, but this does not provide a comprehensive view of the patient's overall dietary habits and their effects on health.
C) Ask about how much food is eaten at an average meal: While inquiring about portion sizes is relevant, it does not give a full picture of dietary habits, including food variety, nutrient quality, and frequency of meals or snacks. A single question about average meal size may overlook other critical aspects of the patient’s eating patterns and nutritional intake.
D) Assess for the presence of any chronic disease processes: Evaluating chronic diseases is crucial for understanding health implications, but it does not directly assess dietary habits. Chronic conditions can be influenced by diet, but the assessment of dietary habits requires a more direct inquiry into nutritional intake and lifestyle choices rather than focusing solely on disease presence.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) To establish a rapport with the client and family: While building rapport is an important aspect of the health assessment process, it is not the primary purpose. Establishing a trusting relationship can enhance communication and the quality of care, but the overarching goal of the assessment extends beyond interpersonal dynamics.
B) To establish a database against which subsequent assessments can be measured: This is the primary purpose of a health assessment. By collecting comprehensive baseline data regarding a client's health status, the nurse creates a reference point for future evaluations. This allows for the monitoring of changes in the patient's condition over time, facilitating timely interventions when necessary.
C) To gather information for specialists to whom the client may be referred: Although gathering relevant information for potential referrals is beneficial, it is not the main purpose of the health assessment. The assessment primarily serves to inform the current healthcare team about the patient's status rather than focusing solely on future consultations.
D) To qualify the degree of pain the client may be experiencing: Assessing pain is an important component of a comprehensive health assessment, but it is just one aspect among many. The overall purpose of the health assessment encompasses a broader evaluation of physical, emotional, and social factors affecting the client's health.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Muscle strength: While muscle strength can influence gait, it specifically refers to the ability of muscles to exert force against resistance. Assessing muscle strength involves different techniques, such as manual muscle testing, rather than observing arm and leg movements.
B) Gait: The observation that both arms swing freely in alternation with leg swings is a direct assessment of the patient's gait. A normal gait pattern includes coordinated movements of the arms and legs, indicating proper motor function and balance.
C) Alignment: This term refers to the positioning of the body and its parts in relation to one another. While alignment can impact gait, it is not specifically assessed by observing the movement of the arms and legs.
D) Joint function: Joint function assessment typically focuses on the range of motion, stability, and mobility of individual joints. Observing the swing of arms and legs provides insight into overall gait rather than specific joint function.