Nutrition and Fluid/Lytes Assessment
What is one skin sign of altered nutrition or fluid balance?
Poor turgor, dryness, or lesions.
How can dementia affect nutrition?
Forgetting to eat.
What is one physical impact of poor nutrition?
Weight loss or altered appearance.
What should be considered first when managing nutrition issues?
The underlying cause and illness trajectory.
What is nausea?
A subjective sensation of stomach discomfort and urge to vomit.
What oral finding might suggest nutritional problems?
Dry mucosa, poor dentition, difficulty chewing/swallowing.
Why do HF patients struggle with nutrition?
Fatigue, SOB, or restrictive diets (sodium/fluid).
What emotional impact might occur?
Stress, frustration, or preoccupation with the need to eat.
What is one possible intervention?
What does vomiting involve?
A forceful reflex expulsion of stomach contents.
What lab values commonly reflect nutritional status?
Albumin and pre albumin.
How does frailty impact nutrition?
Difficulty swallowing, low appetite, limited ability to prepare food.
What social impact might occur around mealtimes?
Isolation or family feelings or guilt.
What normal EOL change affects nutrition?
Decreased interest in food or fluids.
What type of causes are linked to dopamine/serotonin pathways?
Toxic/metabolic or visceral causes.
What is one GI symptom of altered nutrition/fluids?
N/V, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain.
Why might COPD reduce intake?
SOB makes eating tiring or difficult.
How can nutrition challenges affect spirituality?
Loss of hope or frequent reminders of mortality.
Why is artificial nutrition often not appropriate at EOL?
It may cause discomfort, N/V, or fluid buildup.
Which drug treats vestibular/motion-related nausea?
Dimenhydrinate or scopolamine.
Why is overall strength/mobility assessed in nutrition/fluid imbalance?
Muscle wasting, fatigue, and weakness can indicate malnutrition or fluid shifts.
Name one metabolic condition that affects fluid/electrolyte regulation.
CKD (reduced renal clearance).
Why must nurses consider these whole-person impacts?
To guide individualized, goal-concordant care planning.
What are common burdens of artificial hydration at EOL?
Edema, respiratory distress, diarrhea, increased secretions.
Which medication is used for refractory/metabolic nausea?
Haloperidol.