A nurse is assisting in the selection of food for a client who has hyperkalemia. Which of the following foods should the nurse avoid selecting as it contains the greatest amount of potassium?

Choice A reason: Soaking fruits in water before peeling them is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, to leach out into the water. It is better to wash fruits briefly under running water and peel them as thinly as possible.

Choice B reason: Cooking vegetables for the week and reheating them at each meal is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause nutrient losses due to exposure to heat, light, air, and water. It is better to cook vegetables as close to the time of consumption as possible and use minimal water and cooking time.

Choice C reason: Boiling vegetables on the stove until they are soft is not a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can cause significant nutrient losses due to high temperature and long cooking time. It is better to steam, microwave, or stir-fry vegetables until they are crisp-tender and retain their color and texture.

Choice D reason: Keeping ripe fruits refrigerated until eating them is a good practice for retaining nutrients because it can slow down the ripening process and prevent spoilage. Refrigeration can preserve the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of fruits. However, some fruits, such as bananas, tomatoes, and avocados, should not be refrigerated because they can lose their quality and taste.

Choice A reason: Feedings should not be accompanied by nonnutritive sucking. Nonnutritive sucking is the act of sucking on a pacifier, finger, or other object without getting any nutrition. Nonnutritive sucking can interfere with the establishment of breastfeeding, cause nipple confusion, and reduce milk supply.

Choice B reason: Feedings should be on demand. On demand feeding means feeding the newborn whenever they show signs of hunger, such as rooting, sucking, or crying. On demand feeding helps the newborn regulate their appetite, meet their nutritional needs, and bond with their caregiver.

Choice C reason: Feedings should not begin within 1 hr after birth. This instruction is applicable for breastfeeding, not bottle feeding. Breastfeeding should begin within 1 hr after birth to initiate milk production, stimulate uterine contractions, and transfer colostrum to the newborn. Bottle feeding can be delayed until the newborn is stable and alert.

Choice D reason: Feedings may not occur in clusters. Cluster feeding means feeding the newborn more frequently and for longer periods of time during certain times of the day or night. Cluster feeding is common in breastfed newborns, especially during growth spurts or developmental leaps. Bottle fed newborns may not exhibit cluster feeding, as they tend to have more consistent and predictable feeding patterns.