A nurse assesses a client in the preoperative holding area and finds brittle nails and hair, dry skin turgor, and muscle wasting. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Consult the surgeon about a postoperative dietitian referral.
b. Document the findings thoroughly in the client's chart.
c. Encourage the client to eat more after recovering from surgery.
d. Refer the client to Meals on Wheels after discharge.
ANS: A
This client has signs of malnutrition, which can impact recovery from surgery. The nurse should consult the surgeon about prescribing a consultation with a dietitian in the postoperative period. The nurse should document the findings but needs to do more. Encouraging the client to eat more may be helpful, but the client needs a professional nutritional assessment so that the appropriate diet and supplements can be ordered. The client may or may not need Meals on Wheels after discharge.
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