A 45-year-old care recipient who has experienced a ten pound weight gain during the past year asks the nurse if she thinks iron supplements would help increase her energy.Which of the following would be the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

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The body contour changes as "love handles" and "saddlebags" appear.Sedentary lifestyles and unchanged dietary habits contribute considerably to these changes.The inactive lifestyle is further compromised by a decrease in energy.As functional aerobic capacity decreases, there is a resulting decrease in cardiac output.For individuals who maintain regular exercise programs that provide stretching and strengthening of skeletal muscle, cardiac output remains essentially undiminished for many years.A lack of routine exercise and activity plus a diet high in calories contributes to weight gain and a lack of energy.The priority action by the nurse is assessment, which will reveal the reason for a lack of energy.Ordering supplemental iron without ascertaining whether there is, in fact, a deficit would be inappropriate.Absent inquiring, as suggested by choice "A," we don't know whether she even needs info regarding aerobic classes.She may already be taking such classes and adequately exercising.Assessment is needed.

A 45-Year-Old Care Recipient Who Has Experienced a Ten Pound