What is the medical term for a persistent, abnormal distortion of taste?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is Dysgeusia, which is a persistent and abnormal distortion of the sense of taste. This condition can be triggered by various factors such as medications or certain diseases. Anosmia, choice A, refers to the loss of the sense of smell, not taste. Xerostomia, choice C, is the medical term for dry mouth, which is not specifically related to a distortion of taste. Hypogeusia, choice D, refers to a reduced ability to taste things, which is not the same as a distortion of the sense of taste.

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: 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.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: All the listed options (Age, Sleep, Fasting/Starvation, Activity Level) are factors that can affect a person's Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). BMR is the number of calories your body needs to accomplish its most basic (basal) life-sustaining functions. Age can affect BMR as metabolism slows with age. Sleep can influence BMR as metabolism slows during sleep. Fasting or starvation can decrease BMR as the body conserves energy. Activity level can also influence BMR; the more active you are, the higher your BMR, as your body requires more energy for physical activities.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Corticosteroids are most likely to cause unintentional weight gain. They influence the metabolism and fat distribution in the body, leading to weight gain. On the other hand, antiemetics are drugs that are used to prevent nausea and vomiting, and they do not typically cause weight gain. Sedatives, while they can cause drowsiness and may lead to less physical activity, are not directly associated with weight gain. Lastly, antibiotics are used to fight bacteria and while they can cause temporary digestive issues, they do not typically result in long-term weight gain.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Bile, which is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, aids in the digestion of fats. It does this by emulsifying the fats, which makes them easier for the digestive enzymes, such as lipase, to break down. While choices A, B, and C could be seen as partially correct since fats are a type of lipid and the process of breaking down fats could be seen as breaking down lipids, the most accurate answer is D, as the primary function of bile is to aid in fat digestion, not the digestion of all types of lipids or the digestion of proteins or carbohydrates.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Cardiac cachexia is a condition characterized by severe weight loss and tissue wasting. This typically occurs in patients suffering from heart failure due to an increased energy expenditure and reduced appetite, which is why choice B is the correct answer. The other choices are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the symptoms of cardiac cachexia. Decreased physical activity (choice A) can be a result of many conditions, not specifically cardiac cachexia. Poor urine output and tissue edema (choice C) are more indicative of kidney problems rather than cardiac cachexia. Finally, cardiac arrhythmia and wet lung sounds (choice D) are symptoms related to other cardiac conditions, not specifically to cardiac cachexia.

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: B

Rationale: Salivary amylase is the enzyme that begins the digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth by breaking down starches into simpler sugars.