A nurse is caring for a client who is malnourished. The client states, "When I do eat, I usually just eat bread and butter to get something in me." The nurse should recognize that the client is at risk for which of the following complications?

Choice B reason: Providing low-fat carbohydrates with meals can help reduce nausea and vomiting in clients who have equilibrium imbalance. Low-fat carbohydrates are easy to digest and can provide energy and prevent hypoglycemia. Examples of low-fat carbohydrates are crackers, toast, rice, and noodles.

Choice A reason: Serving hot foods at mealtime is not a good strategy for clients who have nausea from equilibrium imbalance. Hot foods can have strong odors and flavors that can trigger nausea and vomiting. Cold or room-temperature foods are more tolerable and less stimulating for the senses.

Choice C reason: Encouraging the client to eat even if nauseated is not a helpful strategy for clients who have nausea from equilibrium imbalance. Forcing the client to eat can worsen nausea and vomiting and cause discomfort and distress. The nurse should respect the client's preferences and appetite and offer small, frequent meals and snacks.

Choice D reason: Limiting fluid intake between meals is not a necessary strategy for clients who have nausea from equilibrium imbalance. Fluid intake is important to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can occur due to vomiting. The nurse should encourage the client to drink fluids between meals, but avoid drinking fluids with meals, as this can cause bloating and fullness.

Choice A reason: Hypernatremia is not a sign of water intoxication, but rather the opposite condition. Hypernatremia means high sodium levels in the blood, which can occur when the body loses more water than sodium, such as in dehydration, diabetes insipidus, or excessive salt intake. Water intoxication causes hyponatremia, which means low sodium levels in the blood, due to excessive water intake or retention.

Choice B reason: Weak pulses are not a specific sign of water intoxication, but rather a general sign of poor perfusion or circulation. Weak pulses can have many causes, such as hypotension, shock, heart failure, or peripheral vascular disease. Water intoxication can cause hypotension, but it can also cause hypertension, depending on the volume status of the client.

Choice C reason: Muscle weakness is a sign of water intoxication, as it reflects the effect of low sodium levels on the neuromuscular system. Sodium is essential for nerve and muscle function, as it helps generate electrical impulses and contractions. When sodium levels drop too low, the nerves and muscles become less responsive and weaker. Other signs of water intoxication affecting the nervous system include confusion, headache, seizures, and coma.

Choice D reason: Exaggerated reflexes are not a sign of water intoxication, but rather a sign of hyperreflexia, which is a condition of overactive reflexes. Hyperreflexia can have many causes, such as spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or electrolyte imbalance. Water intoxication can cause electrolyte imbalance, but it usually leads to hyporeflexia, which is a condition of reduced or absent reflexes.