Last Updated on September 24, 2017
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Use this nursing care plan guide to help you create nursing interventions for this nursing problem.
The body is like a machine that needs to be supplied with the right kind and amount of fuel. This may refer to
nutrition or the food requirements of a person or patient. Adequate nutrition is essential to meet the body’s demands.
Several diseases can greatly affect the nutritional status of an individual, this includes gastrointestinal
malabsorption, burns, cancer; physical factors (e.g., activity intolerance, pain, substance abuse); social factors (e.g.,
economic status, financial constraint); psychological factors (e.g., dementia, depression, grieving). In certain conditions
such as trauma, sepsis, surgery, and burns, adequate nutrition is vital to healing and recovery. Also, religious and
cultural factors greatly influence the food habits of patients.
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Nursing Assessment
Nursing Interventions
See Also
Nursing Assessment
Routine assessment is needed in order to identify potential problems that may have lead to Imbalanced Nutrition: Less
Than Body Requirements as well as name any circumstance that may transpire during nursing care.
Assessment Rationales
These anthropomorphic assessments are
Note real, exact weight; do vital that they need to be accurate. These
not estimate. will be used as basis for caloric and
nutrient requirements.
Family members may provide more
Take a nutritional history
accurate details on the patient’s eating
with the participation of
habits, especially if patient has altered
significant others.
perception.
Several factors may affect the patient’s
nutritional intake, so it is vital to assess
properly. Patients with dentition
Ascertain etiological factors
problems need referral to a dentist,
for decreased nutritional
whereas patients with memory losses
intake.
may need service like Meals on Wheels.
Other medications also have an effect on
the appetite of the patient.
Assessment Rationales
Laboratory tests play a significant part in
Review laboratory values that determining the patient’s nutritional
indicate well-being or status. An abnormal value in a single
deterioration. diagnostic study may have many possible
causes.
This determines degree of protein
Serum albumin reduction (2.5 g/dl signifies severe
diminution; 3.8 to 4.5 g/dl is normal).
This is vital for iron transfer and typically
Transferrin
decreases as serum protein decreases.
These counts are frequently dropped in
RBC and WBC counts malnutrition, revealing anemia, and
reduced resistance to infection.
Potassium is typically elevated, and
Serum electrolyte
sodium is typically lowered in
values
malnutrition.
The patient encountering nutritional
deficiencies may resemble to be sluggish
and fatigued. Other manifestations
include decreased attention span,
Look for physical signs of confused, pale and dry skin,
poor nutritional intake. subcutaneous tissue loss, dull and brittle
hair, and red, swollen tongue and mucous
membranes. Vital signs may show
tachycardia and elevated BP. Paresthesias
may also be present.
Various psychological, psychosocial,
Note the patient’s perspective
religious, and cultural factors determine
and feeling toward eating and
the type, amount, and appropriateness of
food.
food utilized.
Most adults find themselves “eating on
the run” or relying massively on fast
Evaluate the environment in foods with lower nutritional components.
which eating happens. Older people living independently may
not have the drive to prepare a meal for
themselves.
Link usual food intake to The Food Guide Pyramid emphasizes the
USDA Food Pyramid, noting importance of balanced eating. Omission
slighted or omitted food of entire food groups increases risk of
groups. deficiencies.
Assess patient’s ability to Several factors may affect the patient’s
Assessment Rationales
nutritional intake, so it is necessary to
assess accurately. Cases of vitamin D
obtain and use essential deficiency rickets have been reported
nutrients. among dark-skinned infants and toddlers
who were exclusively breast fed and
were not given supplemental vitamin D.
Strict vegetarians may be at particular
If patient is a vegetarian, risk for vitamin B12 and iron
evaluate if obtaining deficiencies. Proper care should be taken
sufficient amounts of vitamin when implementing vegetarian diets for
B12 and iron. pregnant women, infants, children, and
the elderly.
Nursing Interventions
This care plan addresses general concern related to nutritional deficits for the hospital or home setting.
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Interventions Rationales
Experts like a dietician can determine
Ascertain healthy body nitrogen balance as a measure of the
weight for age and height. nutritional status of the patient. A negative
Refer to a dietitian for nitrogen balance may mean protein
complete nutrition malnutrition. The dietician can also
assessment and methods determine the patient’s daily requirements of
for nutritional support. specific nutrients to promote sufficient
nutritional intake.
Set appropriate short-term Patients may lose concern in addressing this
and long-term goals. dilemma without realistic short-term goals.
Provide a pleasant A pleasing atmosphere helps in decreasing
environment. stress and is more favorable to eating.
Elevating the head of bed 30 degrees aids in
Promote proper
swallowing and reduces risk for aspiration
positioning.
with eating.
Provide good oral hygiene Oral hygiene has a positive effect on appetite
and dentition. and on the taste of food. Dentures need to be
clean, fit comfortably, and be in the patient’s
Interventions Rationales
mouth to encourage eating.
