Nutrition is the cornerstone of health and healing

 

 


Nutrition is the cornerstone of health and healing. Nurses play a vital role in assessing patients’ nutritional status, identifying risk factors for dietary disorders, planning interventions, and evaluating outcomes. Nurses must integrate nutritional knowledge with clinical judgment to support optimal outcomes when caring for patients with chronic illness, hospitalized malnutrition, or those on therapeutic diets.

In this discussion, you’ll explore how to assess nutritional needs, identify at-risk clients, and propose evidence-based nursing interventions that promote comfort, health, and healing.

???? Case Scenario: Complex Nutrition Risk
Patient: Ms. Julie Green, a 71-year-old retired schoolteacher

Medical History: Congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis

Social History: Lives alone, limited mobility, relies on frozen meals

Recent Labs and Vitals:

Hemoglobin: 10.1 g/dL (low)
Albumin: 2.9 g/dL (low)
BMI: 18.3 (underweight)
Weight loss: 12 lbs in the last 2 months
Reports fatigue, poor appetite, and occasional dizziness
Assessment: Pale, frail appearance; reports skipping meals and limited grocery access.
???? Discussion Prompt
Choose ONE of the following categories and provide a detailed post:

1. Nutritional Risk and Assessment
What data would you collect to assess Ms. Green’s nutritional status?
Based on Dudek Ch. 15, what criteria suggest malnutrition, and how would you classify her risk level?
What role does the nurse play in screening and early intervention?
2. Interventions to Promote Nutritional Health
Propose three nursing interventions that address Ms. Green’s nutritional concerns (Taylor Ch. 37, Dudek Ch. 16–17).
How can these be adapted to her age, mobility limits, and chronic conditions?
How would you evaluate if your plan was successful?
3. Alterations in Nutrition and Complications
Which nutritional complications is Ms. Green at risk for, and why?
How do changes in protein, fluid, or calorie intake affect patients with chronic illness or aging?
What interdisciplinary referrals (e.g., dietitian, social services) might be needed?
 

Based on the severity of her findings, Ms. Green is at High Risk and likely has Severe Malnutrition.

BMI of 18.3 is classified as underweight (<18.5).

The 12 lb weight loss over 2 months is approximately a 7% loss of her estimated usual weight, which is clinically significant for a short timeframe.

Low Albumin (2.9 g/dL) suggests either severe inflammation or prolonged, insufficient protein intake, though it is a poor indicator of acute malnutrition.

Low Hemoglobin (10.1 g/dL) indicates anemia, a common complication of nutritional deficiencies (iron, B12, folate) and chronic disease.

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nutritional Risk and Assessment for Ms. Julie Green

 

Ms. Julie Green, a 71-year-old with multiple chronic conditions and significant weight loss, presents a high degree of nutritional risk. A comprehensive assessment is critical for determining her exact needs and initiating timely, effective interventions.

 

Data Collection for Nutritional Status Assessment

 

To thoroughly assess Ms. Green's nutritional status, a nurse would collect a broad range of data, focusing on the following:

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