A nurse is caring for a client who is obese and is prescribed a calorie reduction of 500 fewer calories per day. The nurse should expect the client to have which of the following rates of weight loss?

Choice A reason: Acute stress causes an increase in metabolism, as the body activates the sympathetic nervous system and releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones increase the heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption, and mobilize glucose and fatty acids for energy. The nurse should explain to the clients that acute stress can have beneficial effects, such as enhancing alertness, memory, and performance, but it can also have harmful effects, such as impairing digestion, immunity, and growth.

Choice B reason: Stress causes a negative nitrogen balance in the body, not a positive one. Nitrogen balance is the difference between the amount of nitrogen ingested and the amount of nitrogen excreted. A positive nitrogen balance means that the body is retaining more nitrogen than it is losing, which indicates growth, healing, or pregnancy. A negative nitrogen balance means that the body is losing more nitrogen than it is retaining, which indicates malnutrition, illness, or injury. The nurse should inform the clients that stress can cause a negative nitrogen balance, as the body breaks down protein for energy and loses nitrogen through urine, sweat, and wounds.

Choice C reason: Protein requirements increase in times of stress, not decrease. Protein is essential for tissue repair, immune function, and hormone synthesis. The nurse should advise the clients that stress can increase the protein needs of the body, as the body loses protein through catabolism, inflammation, and infection. The nurse should recommend the clients to consume adequate amounts of high-quality protein, such as eggs, milk, cheese, meat, fish, poultry, soy, and nuts.

Choice D reason: Glucose is broken down more quickly during times of stress, not more slowly. Glucose is the main source of energy for the brain and the muscles. The nurse should educate the clients that stress can increase the glucose levels in the blood, as the body releases glucose from the liver and muscles to provide fuel for the stress response. The nurse should also warn the clients that chronic stress can lead to insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Choice A reason: Crohn's disease is not commonly associated with obesity, although obesity can worsen the symptoms and complications of Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract, especially the small intestine and colon. The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, but it may involve genetic, immune, and environmental factors.

Choice B reason: Celiac disease is not commonly associated with obesity, although obesity can make the diagnosis of celiac disease more difficult. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, is ingested. The damage interferes with the absorption of nutrients and can lead to malnutrition, anemia, and osteoporosis.

Choice C reason: Peptic ulcer disease is not commonly associated with obesity, although obesity can increase the risk of complications from peptic ulcer disease. Peptic ulcer disease is a condition that causes sores or ulcers in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. The most common causes of peptic ulcer disease are infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Choice D reason: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly associated with obesity, as obesity can increase the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that prevents the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. GERD is a condition that causes heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing due to the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. GERD can also lead to esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal cancer.