A nursing student is taking a course in geriatric nursing, and the subject for today is altered nutritional status
The instructor lectures about older adults not eating in a healthy manner due to factors such as limited income, inability to prepare cooked meals, or inability to shop due to lack of transportation. What factor in the physical assessment would indicate to the nurse that the older adult client might be malnourished? A) Inability to talk normally
B) Poor wound healing
C) Enlarged liver with nonpalpable spleen
D) Edematous hands and forearms
B
Feedback:
Physical symptoms may suggest malnutrition; however, they cannot be considered diagnostic. Edema of the lower extremities is a better indicator versus the hands and forearms, both liver and spleen enlargement is suggestive, and speech is usually not affected. Poor wound healing is the better indicator because it shows a lack of proper nutrition to allow for proper healing.
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