Aclient is diagnosed with undernutrition. What should the nurse teach the client regarding the goals of this therapy?

Question

1. Using short-term therapy and counseling
2. Identification of the deficiency and supplying the missing nutrients
3. Using nutritional supplements and medication
4. Treating the cause aggressively and allowing the client to gain weight

Answer 1

2

Rationale 1:Using short-term therapy and counseling is incorrect because while short-term therapy might be indicated, some clients require therapy for the rest of their lives.
Rationale 2: When a client is eating or drinking fewer nutrients than required for normal body growth and maintenance, undernutrition occurs. It can also occur in certain malabsorption disorders of the intestinal tract. The two primary goals in treating undernutrition are to identify the specific type of deficiency and to supply the missing nutrients.
Rationale 3:Using nutritional supplements and medication is incorrect because nutritional supplements might be needed for short-term therapy or for the remainder of the client's life.
Rationale 4:Treating the cause aggressively and allowing the client to gain weight is incorrect because gaining weight might not be a goal of undernutrition treatment.

Global Rationale: When a client is eating or drinking fewer nutrients than required for normal body growth and maintenance, undernutrition occurs. It can also occur in certain malabsorption disorders of the intestinal tract. The two primary goals in treating undernutrition are to identify the specific type of deficiency and to supply the missing nutrients.