Question

These answers will be posted in a class forum. I want you guys give me something creative, so my answers won't be similar to other answers. Thanks!

You are asked to see Mr. Basset, who is 80 years old, currently living alone, and has recently lost his wife. His children do not live nearby, but Mr. Basset sees them on holidays. Mr. Basset was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and has had an unexplained weight loss of 20 pounds in 3 months. He is getting chemotherapy as well as taking oral medication for hypertension and arthritis, and is showing signs of dehydration.

Mr. Basset reports that his wife did most of the cooking and he has limited cooking skills. He usually has cereal with milk and coffee for breakfast and soup for a second meal later in the day. He eats crackers throughout the day if he is hungry, but admits that he doesn’t have much of an appetite. In addition, Mr. Basset has ill-fitting dentures and claims that food just does not taste the same. He is also on a limited budget.

1. What physiological factors might contribute to Mr. Basset’s weight loss?

2. What psychosocial factors might contribute to Mr. Basset’s weight loss?

3.   Give one likely explanation why Mr. Basset’s dentures do not fit.

4.   What nursing actions need to be included in the plan of care to improve Mr. Basset’s nutritional status?

Answer 1

1.Loss of appetite fromn inadequate intake of food,

-dehydration

-chemotherapy induced vomiting may cause loss of nutrients and result in malabsorbtion

-ill fitting dentures

2.-Limitted budget

-Lack of culinary skills

-psychological-anxiety due to disease condition and loneliness as he prefers to spent less time with family and be alone.

3.Due to the oncological status his appetite is poor and less nourished, therefore his gums are becoming small which will in turn make it difficult to fit big dentures.

4.Provide proper dental hygiene

-Ask him to have small and frequent diet

-Get an adequate size denture which can be fitted properly

- Include more protein (cereals,pulses, milk and milk products, fish, egg, meat) in the diet. this is to build up the cells in the body and more sufficient nutrition as well.

- Encourage to drink more water so that the mucous membranes of the body will be miost which will prevent from further dehydration.

- Encourage him to spend more time with the children rather than sitting alone. This will in turn help him to reduce stress and gradually there will be a huge improvement in the disease condition as well.