Chapter 10- Lifestyle, Diet, and Habits
1. Recently a 40-year-old woman has become interested in alternative therapy as a means to maintain and enhance
... [Show More] her state of health. However, she has developed hypertension and will be prescribed an antihypertensive agent. The nurse's health history reveals that the patient eats a balanced diet, swims regularly, and occasionally takes an over-the- counter medication for allergies. A priority assessment for the nurse will be to determine
A) the amount of dietary fiber in the patient's diet.
B) how much exercise the patient gets daily.
C) if the patient is taking any nutritional supplements.
D) if the patient is taking herbal or botanical medications regularly. Ans: D
Feedback:
This patient is conscious of her health, exercises daily, and seems to be aware of appropriate use of over-the-counter drugs. Since she is interested in alternative therapy, she may be using herbal or botanical medications. Therefore, asking about the use of these supplements would be the priority because of the possible interactions with the antihypertensive agent.
2. A 70-year-old woman is starting on an acidic drug. The nurse is aware that food and nutrient intake can affect drug excretion by changing the urinary pH. About which of the following will the nurse question the patient concerning her diet?
A) The intake of sodium
B) The amount of meat and vegetables
C) The use of grapefruit
D) The intake of foods high in protein
Ans: B
Feedback:
The nurse will assess for the amount of meat and vegetables in the woman's diet. A diet rich in meat or in vegetables may influence the urine pH—either acidic or basic. The renal excretion of drugs may be changed significantly because drugs are generally either weak organic acids or bases. Grapefruit juice and certain drugs may cause an interaction that leads to an increase in bioavailability of the drug, which increases the serum drug level. Diminished protein status results in lower amounts of plasma proteins that can substantially increase the concentration of free drug available. This increase of free drug can increase the drug's effect and the risk of adverse effects. A significant decrease of dietary sodium can alter the reabsorption of some drugs in the renal tubule, resulting in higher circulating levels of the drug and potential drug toxicity.
3. During a clinic visit, a patient complains of having frequent muscle cramps in her legs. The nurse's assessment reveals that the patient has been taking over-the-counter laxatives for the past 7 years. The nurse informed the patient that prolonged use of laxatives
A) may cause nutrient deficiencies.
B) may counter the therapeutic effect of other drugs.
C) causes acidic urine and urinary tract infections.
D) inhibits biotransformation of drugs.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Long-term intake of laxatives, antidepressants, and antibiotics has been found to deprive a person of most essential nutrients, such as vitamins. Prolonged use of laxatives is not known to turn urine acidic, cause urinary tract infections, counter the effect of other drugs, or inhibit the biotransformation of drugs.
4. A patient has recently been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The nurse will advise him to prioritize which of the following considerations when planning a meal?
A) Amount of protein in the meal
B) Vitamin content of the meal
C) Glycemic index of the foods in the meal
D) Quantity of trace elements in the meal
Ans: C
Feedback:
In order to effectively manage their disease, patients with diabetes need to be cognizant of the glycemic index of foods. This considerations is a priority over the content of trace elements, vitamins, or protein of a particular food or meal.
5. A 36-year-old man with a complex medical history is frail and emaciated and recently fainted due to weakness. He has a history of movement disorder and has been prescribed appropriate drugs to treat it. A priority nursing assessment will be to question him concerning his
A) professional life.
B) marriage and sexual health.
C) nutritional intake.
D) mental and emotional well-being.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Because this patient is frail and has fainted due to weakness, it is likely that his nutritional intake may be deficient, and this could affect his drug intake. The other aspects of his life are important and may need to be considered in his overall health. However, due to his fainting episodes, diagnosis, and new drug therapy, it would be most important to determine his nutritional status. [Show Less]