The nurse wants to know if the nursing plan of care is effective for a male client with malnutrition. Which does the nurse use to determine whether the plan is effective?

Question

1. Large, smooth tongue surface
2. 80% of food consumed at meals
3. 185 pounds at 5 feet 6 inches tall
4. Reddish-pink mucous membranes

Answer 1

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4. Reddish-pink oral and conjunctival mucous membranes are indications of a well-nourished person because this color is consistent with well-oxygenated tissue due to adequate amounts of hemoglobin and erythrocytes. A malnourished person is likely to have pale mucous membranes because the individual does not receive ade-quate nutrition in the diet to provide the body with the necessary iron to synthesize hemoglobin, amino acids to manufacture protein, and other nutrients to manufacture red blood cells in adequate amounts.
1. The tongue is a vivid pink or deep red with papillae present in nourished individu-als.
2. Consuming 80% of meals is an acceptable dietary intake, generally; however, a malnourished person usually needs to eat the entire meal on a consistent basis to re-store and maintain health and wellness.
3. A male who is 5 feet 6 inches tall weighing 185 pounds is overweight because this client should weigh approximately 136 pounds. Obese individuals are frequently malnourished but gain weight by eating foods that are high in fat and calories but low in nutrition.