The nurse is caring for a thin, elderly client who was diagnosed with cancer and is receiving aggressive chemotherapy. The client is experiencing acute side effects, and has lost 10 pounds in the past week

Question

The nurse teaches the client to: (Select all that apply.) Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. Drink liquid supplements to increase intake of nutrients.
2. Eat more warm foods and avoid cold foods.
3. Keep a food diary and record intake.
4. Eat small, frequent meals high in calories.
5. Purchase fast foods and prepared foods.

Answer 1

1,3,4
Rationale: Nutrition is an essential part of caring for all clients with cancer, but takes on even greater importance in the frail elderly who might already have nutritional challenges, such as poor dentition, inefficient absorption of nutrients, and mediation side effects. The goal of nutritional teaching is to help the client increase caloric and nutrient intake through the use of liquid supplements, small frequent meals, and a food diary that will help the nurse evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the current plan. The client receiving chemotherapy might tolerate cold foods better than hot foods. Fast foods and prepared foods tend to be high in fat and sodium, and are not the best choice, because they do not contain adequate healthy nutrients. Instead, involving the family in preparing meals or Meals on Wheels might be a better option for easy ways of obtaining meals.