A client with cancer has anorexia and mucositis,and is losing weight.The client's family members continually bring favorite foods to the client and are distressed when the client won't eat them.What action by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Families often become distressed when their loved ones won't eat.Providing food is a universal sign of caring,and to some people the refusal to eat signifies worsening of the condition.The best option for the nurse is to help the family find other ways to demonstrate caring and love,because with treatment-related anorexia and mucositis,the client is not likely to eat anything right now.Explaining the rationale for the problem is a good idea but does not suggest to the family anything that they can do for the client.Simply telling the family the client is not able to eat does not give them useful information and is dismissive of their concerns.

A Client with Cancer Has Anorexia and Mucositis,and Is Losing