CHAPTER 09 | Identify Nutrition Problems and Honor Client Rights Discussion
All this information feeds into the ongoing monitoring of Yuki’s nutritional status. It becomes critical to identify nutritional problems to assure that his nutritional status is raised and maintained at optimal levels. Nutritional status is a major factor in the development and healing of pressure injuries. Given Yuki’s pressure injuries, he should also be added to the nutrition-at-risk interdisciplinary meeting.
Case #4: Marilyn
Marilyn is a client in a nursing home. She was admitted with an excellent nutritional status and was in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease. She was also following a diet to manage high blood cholesterol levels. Since her admission, she has experienced an advancement of Alzheimer’s symptoms and has lost more than 6 percent of her body weight within the past month. Nutrition Services has been monitoring her ongoing nutritional care using the following data points:
• Weight. Comparing Marilyn’s ideal body weight and usual body weight to determine percent weight change are key indicators of overall nutritional status.
• Clinical information record. Assess what stage her Alzheimer’s disease is in and whether any new symptoms have arisen.
• Diet tolerance/intake mealtime. observation is essential to find out how Marilyn is eating and drinking—and whether Alzheimer’s disease is affecting her food or fluid intake. She may be inattentive to meals or may be exhibiting behaviors that interfere with nutritional intake. Evaluate whether dietary restrictions for high blood cholesterol are affecting her nutrient intake. Could she benefit from transitioning to a liberalized diet to improve intake? Would she benefit from receiving “finger foods” that are small and easier to eat with her hands or on the go if she wanders?
• Calorie count. If meal observations raise concern, perform a calorie count to quantify the situation. The RDN or NDTR will compare the intake of calories and protein with estimated needs and provide appropriate recommendations.
Discussion
Notice that Marilyn’s blood cholesterol levels are not high on the priority list. This is a matter of clinical judgment. Because of her rapid weight loss, her nutritional status has advanced to the forefront as a nutritional concern. Her protein calorie status takes priority. With a decline or threatened decline in nutritional status,
Putting it
into Practice Refer to the Supplemental Materials for answer.
3. Jose has poor intake at meals and his weight is decreasing undesirably. He mentions he isn’t eating as much because the food tastes bland. What can be done to help Jose?
Nutrition Fundamentals and Medical Nutrition Therapy