Fundamentals of Nursing Q 557

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A client with heart failure has been told to maintain a low sodium diet. A nurse who is teaching this client about foods that are allowed includes which food item in a list provided to the client?

  

     A. Pretzels

     B. Whole wheat bread

     C. Tomato juice canned

     D. Dried apricot

    

    

Correct Answer: D. Dried apricot

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Foods that are lower in sodium include fruits and vegetables like dried apricot. Dried apricots are sodium-free. Dried apricots, as part of a low sodium diet, may reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Apricots contain numerous antioxidants, most notably flavonoids. They help protect the body from oxidative stress, which is linked to many chronic diseases.

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Option A: These classic snacks are high in sodium — almost 20 percent of the recommended daily intake is in one serving of pretzels. Too much sodium leads to increased water retention, which can lead to bloating and puffiness, and too much sodium over time can lead to heart disease.

Option B: Sodium is finding its way into a lot of whole wheat bread brands in amounts that average 240 to 400 mg per slice. If your serving usually contains two slices, the sodium can add up quickly.

Option C: Many tomato juice products contain added salt — which bumps up the sodium content. For example, a 1.4-cup (340-ml) serving of Campbell’s 100% tomato juice contains 980 mg of sodium — which is 43% of the DV. Research shows that diets high in sodium may contribute to high blood pressure.

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