A nurse is providing teaching about the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet to a client who has hypertension. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Limit sodium intake to 3,200 milligrams per day.
Increase intake of refined carbohydrates.
Consume foods that are high in calcium.
Consume ten percent of total calories from saturated fat.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: The standard DASH diet limits sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day, which is about the amount of sodium in 1 teaspoon of table salt¹. A lower sodium version of DASH restricts sodium to 1,500 milligrams per day, which may lower blood pressure even further¹. Therefore, limiting sodium intake to 3,200 milligrams per day is not consistent with the DASH diet.
Choice B reason: The DASH diet recommends eating fewer refined carbohydrates and less sugar, as they can increase blood pressure and cholesterol levels². Instead, the DASH diet emphasizes eating more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which are rich in fiber, potassium, calcium, and magnesium².
Choice C reason: The DASH diet encourages consuming foods that are high in calcium, such as fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, beans, and nuts¹. Calcium is a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and supports bone health³. Studies have shown that increasing calcium intake can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension³.
Choice D reason: The DASH diet advises limiting foods that are high in saturated fat, such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, and tropical oils such as coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils¹. Saturated fat can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The DASH diet recommends consuming no more than six percent of total calories from saturated fat¹.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Confusion and weakness are signs of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can result from vomiting and diarrhea. These are serious complications that can affect the client's mental status, blood pressure, heart rate, and kidney function. The nurse should report these changes to the provider and monitor the client's vital signs and fluid status.
Choice B reason: Dry oral mucosa and furrowed tongue are also signs of dehydration, but they are less severe than confusion and weakness. The nurse should report these changes to the provider as well, but they are not the most urgent ones.
Choice C reason: Clear lungs bilaterally are a normal finding and do not indicate any change in the client's condition. The nurse should document this finding, but it does not require reporting to the provider.
Choice D reason: A soft and non-tender abdomen is a normal finding and does not indicate any change in the client's condition. The nurse should document this finding, but it does not require reporting to the provider.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Reducing caloric intake by 200 calories a day may not be enough to achieve significant weight loss for a client who is obese. The recommended daily calorie deficit for weight loss is 500 to 750 calories, which can result in a loss of 1 to 1.5 pounds per week¹.
Choice B reason: Losing 5 percent of body weight can improve glycemic control and reduce the need for glucose-lowering medications for a client who has type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that weight loss of 5 to 10 percent can lower HbA1c levels by 0.5 to 1.0 percentage points².
Choice C reason: Exercising for 30 minutes three times a week may not be sufficient to lose 1 pound per week. The recommended amount of physical activity for weight loss is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, plus resistance training at least twice a week³.
Choice D reason: Drinking 16 ounces of apple juice is not advisable if the blood glucose level drops during exercise, as it can cause hyperglycemia. Apple juice contains about 48 grams of carbohydrates, which is equivalent to four servings of glucose tablets⁴. The recommended treatment for hypoglycemia is to consume 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets, gel, or juice, and recheck the blood glucose level after 15 minutes⁵.
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