A patient is admitted for treatment of celiac sprue. Which nursing intervention is indicated to address this patient's nutritional needs?

Question

1. Instruct the patient to consume products identified as "new and improved."
2. Encourage the patient to try an oral lactase enzyme product.
3. Limit iron and B vitamin intake.
4. Identify gluten-containing foods and eliminate them from the diet.

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: Food products labeled as "new and improved" should be studied for the contents, as they might contain ingredients this patient should avoid.
Rationale 2: Oral lactase enzyme products are a digestive aid often recommended for patients with lactose intolerance, not celiac sprue.
Rationale 3: Because of this patient's dietary restrictions, iron and vitamin B deficiencies may occur. The patient should be encouraged to seek alternative sources of iron and vitamin B.
Rationale 4: Celiac sprue is a lifelong condition in which the villi in the small intestines are damaged from gluten in the diet. Gluten-containing foods must be eliminated from the diet to avoid disease symptoms.