What is one of the best nutritional actions a caregiver can take to help a patient with Alzheimer's disease maintain appropriate body weight?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, 'Supervise food planning and mealtimes'. This action ensures the patient with Alzheimer's disease maintains an appropriate diet and body weight, thus reducing the risk of malnutrition. While choices A, 'Thicken liquids to prevent choking', C, 'Assist the person in completing a grocery checklist', and D, 'Feed the person their meals and snacks', might be beneficial in certain circumstances, they do not directly contribute to the maintenance of appropriate body weight as effectively as supervising food planning and mealtimes does.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. It significantly contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries and thereby increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, exercise is generally beneficial for cardiovascular health and is not a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Excessive sun exposure and insufficient vaccinations have no established links to atherosclerosis, making them incorrect options for this question.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A patient's dietary order is most frequently prescribed by a physician. This is because the physician has a comprehensive understanding of the patient's medical condition and can thus determine the most suitable dietary plan. Registered dietitians often collaborate with physicians in this process, but the final prescription is made by the physician. Although registered nurses, dietetic technicians, and occupational therapists play significant roles in patient care, they typically do not prescribe diet orders.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Regular intake of prescription drugs like steroids and diuretics can lead to the loss of potassium in the body, causing a condition known as hypokalemia. Therefore, people on these medications require careful monitoring and often need potassium supplementation to prevent this deficiency. The other options, selenium, iodine, and chloride, are incorrect because there is no specific link between their deficiency and the regular use of steroids and diuretics.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A kilocalorie count is the correct answer as it involves directly observing a client's food intake, which is often used in hospitals to accurately assess nutritional intake and ensure it meets dietary requirements. A food diary (Choice A) is typically self-reported by the client and not directly observed. A 24-hour recall (Choice B) is also usually self-reported and relies on a client's memory of the past 24 hours, which can be unreliable. A nutrient surveillance record (Choice D) is a broader term for tracking nutrient intake in a population and is not specific to the direct observation of an individual's food intake.