The client with pneumonia is experiencing dyspnea and anorexia. What is the best action taken up by the nursing assistant?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nursing assistant establishes that shortness of breath makes it more difficult for the client to have the energy to eat. Because of the illness, the client lacks an appetite. The best action that the nursing assistant can take is to report the observations to the nurse so that a dietitian may be consulted. The dietitian will help the client with supplements or small, frequent, and easy-to-eat meals of the client's choice. The nursing assistant should not force-feed the client the food because doing so will not help with the anorexia or dyspnea. Splitting the meals still does not address finding foods that the client may want to try. Pureeing the foods may make them easier to swallow, but may alter the taste and appearance, which may increase the client's anorexia. It is beyond the nursing assistant's scope of practice to change diets or modify them.

The Client with Pneumonia Is Experiencing Dyspnea and Anorexia