Regular Diets (House Diet)
This type of patient is MOST likely appropriate for a regular diet.
Who is a patient with no swallowing, chewing, or GI restrictions?
Name one approved food on a clear liquid diet.
What is broth, gelatin, apple juice, or tea?
A nurse should monitor this lab value in a patient receiving a full liquid diet long-term.
What is albumin or prealbumin?
The nurse should position the patient in this way when eating a pureed diet.
What is upright at 90 degrees?
Thickened liquids are used to reduce the risk of this complication.
What is aspiration?
A client is prescribed a regular diet but reports fatigue while chewing and avoids meat. What concern should the nurse recognize?
What is inadequate protein intake related to chewing difficulty?
A client asks why they feel weak after 48 hours on a clear liquid diet. What explanation should the nurse give?
What is this diet does not meet caloric or protein needs?
A client on a full liquid diet consumes very little at meals. What is the nurse’s priority concern?
What is inadequate caloric and protein intake?
A client with a history of CVA (cerebral vascular accident) eats slowly and pockets food in their cheeks. Why is a pureed diet appropriate?
What is reduced chewing and oral control?
A patient with a recent CVA (cerebral vascular accident) is coughing after drinking water. What does this finding suggest?
What is impaired swallowing?
A client with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) eats slowly and becomes short of breath during meals. What modification should the nurse consider?
What is altering meal timing (shorter and more frequent meals).
A post-op client, on clear liquids, develops dizziness and poor urine output. What is the nurse MOST concerned about?
What is fluid and electrolyte imbalance?
Which assessment finding indicates a client may be ready to advance beyond a full liquid diet?
What is absence of nausea and ability to tolerate thicker textures?
The nurse assists a client with their meal. What finding would indicate a pureed diet is unsafe for this client?
What is coughing or wet vocal quality during meals?
A client avoids eating due to jaw pain after oral surgery. What diet change should the nurse anticipate?
What is mechanical soft diet?
Which assessment finding indicates a patient may NOT tolerate a regular diet safely?
What is coughing or throat clearing during meals?
A provider orders a clear liquid diet.
The nurse should question this order for which patient?
What is a malnourished patient requiring long-term nutritional support.
A client with diabetes is ordered a full liquid diet. What must the nurse monitor closely?
What is blood glucose levels?
A family member blends solid food at the bedside to assist feeding their loved one. What is the nurse’s primary concern?
What is inconsistent texture increasing aspiration risk?
A client on a mechanical soft diet coughs when drinking thin liquids. What does this indicate?
What is possible dysphagia rather than chewing difficulty?
A client is advanced to a regular diet after surgery but reports early satiety (feeling full too soon) and nausea. What is the nurse’s priority action?
What is reassessing GI tolerance and notifying the provider?
A client remains on clear liquids longer than expected due to nausea. What interprofessional consult is most appropriate?
Who is the dietitian?
A client on a full liquid diet reports hunger despite adequate volume intake. What teaching is most appropriate by the nurse?
What is this diet may not meet long-term nutritional needs?
A patient on a pureed diet has weight loss despite adequate intake. What is the nurse’s next step?
What is consulting physician/nutritionist for calorie-dense options?
A patient with early Parkinson’s disease reports fatigue during meals. What is the nurse’s best action?
What is assessing swallowing safety and referring to speech therapy?