NCLEX: A 79-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to parenteral nutriti…

Nutrition Basic Care and Comfort

Case Study

A 79-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to parenteral nutrition. Assessment data include the client receives enteral feeding and develops abdominal distention with nausea. The nurse is evaluating discharge teaching. Which client statement shows correct understanding?

Question

A. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."
B. "I will stop my medications when I feel better."
C. "I do not need to report mild symptoms unless they become unbearable."
D. "The nurse does not need to know about changes unless the provider asks."

Rationale

Correct answer: A. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."

Rationale: Effective teaching includes when to seek help for worsening symptoms. Stopping medications or delaying reports are unsafe.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Clinical

Difficulty: Medium

Subtopic: Parenteral nutrition