Substance Abuse and Abuse Q 8
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of major depression, severe, single episode. The nurse assesses the client and identifies a nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition related to poor nutritional intake. The most appropriate nursing intervention related to this diagnosis is:
A. Explain to the client the importance of a good nutritional intake.
B. Weight the client 3 times per week before breakfast.
C. Report the nutritional concern to the psychiatrist and obtain a nutritional consultation as soon as possible.
D. Consult with the nutritionist, offer the client several small meals per day, and schedule brief nursing interactions with the client during these times.
Correct Answer: D. Consult with the nutritionist, offer the client several small meals per day and schedule brief nursing interactions with the client during these times.
Change in appetite is one of the major symptoms of depression. Weight the client weekly and observe the eating patterns of the client. Give the information needed for revising the intervention. Encourage eating with others. This increases socialization, decreases focus on the food.
Option A: Encourage small, high-calorie, and high-protein snacks and fluids frequently throughout the day and evening if weight loss is noted. This minimizes weight loss, constipation, and dehydration. Serve foods or drinks the client likes. Clients are more likely to eat foods they like.
Option B: Help the client identify negative thinking/thoughts. Teach the client to reframe and/or refute negative thoughts. Negative ruminations add to feelings of hopelessness and are part of a depressed person’s faulty thought processes. Intervening in this process helps in a healthier and more useful outlook in life.
Option C: Reporting to the psychiatrist and nutritionist is to some degree correct but lacks the method as to how one would increase food intake. Allow more time than usual for the client to finish usual activities of daily living (ADL) (e.g., eating, dressing). Usual tasks might take long periods of time; demands that the client hurry only increases anxiety and slow down the ability to think clearly.