Order 1482979: assessment using mini nutritional tool

tutorthammy

nutrition.docx

Home >Nursing homework help >Order 1482979: assessment using mini nutritional tool

Running head: THE NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT 1

THE NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT

The Nutritional Assessment1

MNA

Denise Caal

South University

Nutritional status can be defined as the nutrients found in food that a person consumes and the nutrients that the body needs to function. Older adults need more nutrients for their bodies to function and are at risk for malnutrition due to finances, being alone, physical and psychological changes and older adults are usually taking other medications. Adults in the age group over sixty- five are mostly retired, on a fixed income receive social security or might be receiving a pension. Some older adults might be working part time jobs for extra money. As adults get older family members have passed away and their husbands or wives have passed away and they start to depend on their children for help. Some of the physical changes that occur with old age is the decrease in height, decrease in vision, hearing and smell. Another change is psychological, some older adults might suffer from depression or anger as a result of frustration, not being able to do things. Lastly older adults are taking medications that could affect the way the body absorbs nutrients.

The interview starts out “How are you doing today ?” My name is Denise Caal I am a Registered Nurse and I work as a home health nurse for Expicare Health Care Agency. I was wondering if I can talk to you for about five minutes. I will be conducting a nutritional assessment to give me a better understanding to provide better quality care. The nurse maintains eye contact and talks in an even toned voice. The client and nurse are four feet apart both sitting in chairs comfortably. Everything discussed here at your house will be in strict confidence unless you want me to disclose the information to your daughter. Miss C. said I would like me daughter to know what is going on she is power of attorney and I give you verbal consent to conduct the interview.

The nurse asks an open- ended question, “Can you tell me a little about yourself?” The client says my name is Miss C. I am 87 years old, bilingual who speaks English and Spanish fluently. My husband died in 2010. I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but moved from Guatemala in 2011 to live with my daughter who works and goes to school. The nurse Denise said, “Your daughter called us since she was concerned that she doesn’t have enough time to spend with you”. The nurse explains the Mini Assessment Nutritional Tool and what it is for to help assess malnutrition.

The nurse Denise said, “I am going to ask you six questions from the Mini Assessment Nutritional Tool”. The first question is “ Has Food intake declined over the past three months due to loss of appetite, digestive problems, chewing or swallowing difficulties?” (Jarvis, 2016) Miss C. said my food intake has declined but it is due to, “ I have not felt energetic and I can’t do everything I used to do”. Miss C. said, “I feel alone”. The nurse put her arm around Miss C. The nurse asked the second question, “Did you have any weight loss during the last three months ?” Miss C. said, “No. my weight is 114 pounds and I am five feet one inch tall”. My next question, “Do you go out?” Miss C. replied I go out with my daughter, if my daughter can’t drive me, I take a taxi or an uber. Have you suffered psychological stress or acute disease in the past three months ?” (Jarvis, 2016). Miss C. said “No”. the next question, “Do you have neuropsychological problems such as and the nurse points to the three items listed?” Miss C. says I am worried, I seem to forget things, I couldn’t remember how to access my information for my bank statements, I can’t remember where I put things, I feel like I have mild dementia. The nurse was holding the clients’ hand. And the final question is “What is your body mass index?” Miss C. said, “ I have my lab work it was done yesterday it is 21.5”.

The nurse said to Miss C. “I totaled the answers to all six questions the score is eleven that number falls in the range between eight to eleven which means that you are at risk for malnutrition and we have to do a comprehensive nutritional assessment which includes health history related to nutrition, physical assessment, anthropometric measures and look at your lab results. The nurse said we can continue this tomorrow or finish it today a health history interview with a general- exam but I need you to do a twenty -four -hour recall of everything you eat. Miss C. said I would rather continue this tomorrow. The nurse said I have an appointment available at eight at night. Miss C. said, “That’s fine with me I will see you at eight pm tomorrow night.

In conclusion the most important statement you made today is that your food intake has declined because you have not felt energetic and you can - not do everything you used to do. Miss C. you mentioned your husband passed away in 2010 and you moved from Guatemala to the United States and you said you feel alone. For now, I want to refer you to a psychiatrist. I also want to refer you to a neurologist since you said you are exhibiting signs of mild dementia. Loneliness increases as people get older due to loss of loved one, loss of social contacts, not working, declining health. Loneliness can cause physical and mental disorders such as depression, cognitive decline feelings of emptiness, abandonment, increase doctors’ visits and decreased quality of life. I am going to talk to your daughter about home health care a cna that can stay with you during the day and help with meal preparation and chores in the house. I am also going to look up ways to help you get out of the house and interact with others like volunteering. I know your daughter told me you walk the dog every evening, Peggie Adams is always looking for volunteers. I know a Cuban lady who does this I could give you her number if you are interested ? Miss C. said, “That would be great!” The nurse said to Miss C., your daughter mentioned you visit Guatemala every year and you get a break from cooking and cleaning maybe you should start planning for your vacation. The nurse Denise asked , “Do you have any questions ?” Miss C. replied. “No, but thank you for your help, I will see you tomorrow”.

References

Razieh, B., Razieh, K., Hamid, S., Farahnaz, E., Abbas, K., Abbas, M. (2019). Defining

Loneliness in Older Adults : protocol for a systematic review. Systemics Review, 46. 1-6.

Jarvis, C. (2016). Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 7th Edition. [South University].

Retrieved from digitalbookshelf.southuniversity.edu/#/books/9781455728107/