An elderly female,adequately nourished,was admitted to the skilled nursing facility 3 months ago.Since then,she has had a significant weight loss and become frail.Her appetite and activity level are reduced and she has lost interest in interacting with other patients.What would the nurse suspect the reason for her condition to be?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adult failure to thrive is a complex disorder seen in many institutionalized older adults.It is characterized by weight loss,decreased activity and interactions,and increasing frailty.The overall description presented by the nurse is consistent with adult failure to thrive.The resident's poor appetite is not a result of not understanding nutrition or the need to eat.Teaching would not be helpful in this instance.In this situation,the resident's poor appetite is more likely related to depression and social withdrawal or even dementia than to anxiety.Most skilled nursing facilities could individualize the dietary selection to some degree to provide residents with adequate nutrition.

An Elderly Female,adequately Nourished,was Admitted to the Skilled Nursing Facility