A nurse is caring for a client with rheumatoid arthritis. The client is having difficulty with self-feeding due to the pain and hand deformities. The nurse would anticipate a referral will be made to which member of the interprofessional team?

A) Speech Therapist: A speech therapist typically works with clients who have communication or swallowing disorders. While they may be involved in assessing and managing difficulties with swallowing, they are not the primary professionals for addressing issues related to hand function or fine motor skills, which are crucial for self-feeding in clients with rheumatoid arthritis.

B) Registered Dietician: A registered dietician is responsible for assessing and planning nutritional needs, which may include recommending dietary modifications for overall health and well-being. However, they do not specifically address the mechanical or functional aspects of eating, such as difficulties due to pain and hand deformities in rheumatoid arthritis.

C) Physical Therapist: Physical therapists focus on improving gross motor function, mobility, and physical strength. While they may help with general mobility and exercise plans to reduce pain and improve joint function, they are not specialists in the fine motor skills and adaptive strategies needed for activities of daily living, such as self-feeding.

D) Occupational Therapist: Occupational therapists specialize in helping clients regain and improve their ability to perform daily activities, particularly those involving fine motor skills. They are well-suited to address issues like pain management, joint protection techniques, and the use of adaptive equipment for self-feeding in clients with rheumatoid arthritis. They work on enhancing the client’s functional independence despite physical limitations.

A) "Your daily intake of fats should be limited to no more than 35% of your daily caloric intake":

Current dietary guidelines typically recommend limiting fat intake to less than 30% of total daily calories, not 35%, for optimal heart health. This recommendation is slightly higher than what is generally advised for managing high cholesterol.

B) "You should avoid trans-fat as much as possible":

Trans fats significantly increase LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels and decrease HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Avoiding trans fats is crucial in managing high cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular risk, making this the most important recommendation.

C) "Your main sources of protein should be red meat":

Red meat, particularly processed red meat, is associated with higher cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. It is generally recommended to choose lean proteins, such as fish, poultry, and plant-based sources, over red meat.

D) "Fats provide the highest amount of energy per gram":

While fats do provide more energy per gram than carbohydrates or proteins, this statement does not directly address the management of cholesterol levels. The focus should be on the type of fats consumed rather than their energy content.

E) "Your intake of fats should be unsaturated fats":

While consuming unsaturated fats is beneficial, avoiding trans fats specifically addresses a more immediate concern for those with high cholesterol. Option B emphasizes the importance of eliminating harmful fats.