To prepare for the live classroom session and your written submission, use your chapter readings and course materials.
The focus for this live classroom is a discussion about diet therapy
for a 58 year old woman who experienced her first MI and is being
discharged home. She currently works full time and is divorced. She
lives in an apartment and has no family in the surrounding community.
To prepare for the live classroom session and your written
submission, use your chapter readings, review of videos, course
materials, research, and written assignments.
Be prepared to discuss the following:
- What should be the focus for her nutritional history and assessment?
- What dietary recommendations should be made?
- What obstacles to staying on the diet recommended might this woman encounter?
- What special considerations should you, as a nurse, be aware of?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is important to prepare college assignments and provide informative lectures for medical college students. In a recent live classroom session, the topic of discussion was diet therapy for a 58-year-old woman who had recently experienced her first myocardial infarction (MI) and was being discharged home. In this assignment, we will discuss the focus for her nutritional history and assessment, dietary recommendations, obstacles to staying on the recommended diet, and special considerations for nurses in her care.
1. What should be the focus for her nutritional history and assessment?
The focus for her nutritional history and assessment should be on identifying her dietary habits, food preferences, and medical history. Asking about her daily food intake, food allergies or intolerances, and any recent changes in her diet is important to determine her overall nutritional status. Assessing her weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) can help in identifying any possible nutrient deficiencies or excesses. Additionally, evaluating her medical history for any chronic diseases or conditions that may affect her nutritional needs is important for determining appropriate dietary recommendations.
2. What dietary recommendations should be made?
Dietary recommendations for this patient should include reducing her intake of saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium. Encouraging the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids can also improve her overall cardiovascular health. Additionally, portion control and mindful eating can be emphasized to help her maintain a healthy weight.
3. What obstacles to staying on the diet recommended might this woman encounter?
This woman may encounter various obstacles in sticking to the recommended diet, such as limited access to healthy foods due to living in an apartment with no nearby grocery stores or lack of time for meal preparation due to her full-time job. The cost of healthy foods may also be a barrier for her, especially if she is on a tight budget. Emotional and social factors, such as stress, depression, or lack of social support, can also negatively impact her adherence to the recommended diet.
4. What special considerations should you, as a nurse, be aware of?
As a nurse, it is important to be aware of any cognitive or physical impairments that may affect this patient’s ability to follow the recommended diet, such as memory loss or difficulty preparing meals due to limited mobility. Additionally, cultural and religious beliefs should be taken into consideration when providing dietary recommendations. The nurse should also be knowledgeable about resources available in the community, such as food assistance programs or support groups, that may aid the patient in sticking to the recommended diet.
