A 45-year-old patient voices concerns about gaining 12 pounds over the past 2 years. The patient reports no change in dietary habits. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
1. "Age-related weight gain can occur because of consistent dietary intake and less physical activity."
2. "Are you exercising?"
3. "You might be eating more than you think."
4. "You are getting older."
Correct Answer: 1
Weight gain is common in middle adulthood, usually the result of continuing to consume the same number of calories while decreasing physical activity. Asking the patient about exercise fails to provide the needed information and assumes the patient is sedentary. Implying the patient is overeating is judgmental and will do little to establish therapeutic rapport. The patient is aware of aging, and pointing this out does little to meet the patient's obvious interest in more information.
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