Nursing Prioritization Delegation Assignment Q 54
Nurse Jackie is reviewing the diet of a 28-year-old female who reports several months of intermittent abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and flatulence. The nurse should tell the client to avoid:
A. Fiber
B. Broccoli
C. Yogurt
D. Simple carbohydrates
Correct Answer: B. Broccoli
Broccoli is known to be gas-forming which can lead to bloating and therefore, should be avoided. In general, gassy foods are those that contain certain sugars (fructose, lactose, raffinose, and sorbitol) and/or soluble fiber. These substances are not digested at the level of the stomach and thus make their way down to the intestines where bacteria break them down. The end result of this breakdown is the release of gas.?
Option A: One way to prevent uncomfortable intestinal gas is to slowly increase the fiber in the diet. Giving the body a chance to get used to processing the increase in fiber will make the transition easier and reduce the amount of intestinal gas to deal with.
Option C: Plain yogurt can actually help the stomach because it contains probiotics, which are known to regulate digestion. However, if the patient is eating flavored yogurt that’s high in sugar, she’ll have more fermentation going on in her body, which means more gas and bloating.
Option D: Complex Carbohydrate Intolerance (CCI) occurs because there is a lack of the enzyme necessary to digest complex carbohydrates. There is little gas production in the small intestine because the bacterial concentration is low. When the undigested carbohydrates reach the colon, the bacteria that normally live in the colon ferment them. This fermentation often results in the production of gas.