The nurse is working with a patient who recently had a stroke. The patient frequently chokes and coughs when eating and is having difficulty feeding herself. What is the best way to ensure adequate nutrition?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The best way to ensure adequate nutrition for a stroke patient who frequently chokes and coughs when eating and has difficulty feeding herself is to provide tube feedings. Tube feedings are a safe and effective method to deliver nutrition directly to the stomach or intestines, bypassing the swallowing mechanism, reducing the risk of aspiration. Having an aide feed her each meal (choice A) may not address the underlying issue of swallowing difficulty and aspiration risk. Asking a family member to be present at each meal (choice B) does not provide a definitive solution to the patient's nutritional needs. Placing the patient on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (choice D) is a more invasive and typically reserved for patients who cannot tolerate enteral feedings or have non-functional gastrointestinal tracts.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Phosphorus is the correct answer. It is a key component of cell membranes, being part of the phospholipid bilayer that provides structure and controls the movement of substances in and out of cells. Magnesium, iron, and iodine do not serve as principal components of cell membranes. Magnesium is involved in various enzymatic reactions, iron is essential for oxygen transport, and iodine plays a role in thyroid hormone synthesis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, emphasizes the consumption of fruits and vegetables, which are high in potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. These nutrients help lower blood pressure. Therefore, compared to the typical American diet, the DASH diet provides more fruits and vegetables. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. The DASH diet doesn't focus on providing more saturated fats or fewer whole grains or dairy products. In fact, it encourages the consumption of whole grains and low-fat dairy products to promote a balanced and healthy diet.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the correct answer for James because it provides the daily intake level that meets the nutrient needs of most healthy individuals in a specific age and gender group. Choice A, EAR (Estimated Average Requirement), represents the average daily nutrient intake level estimated to meet the requirement of half the healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group. Choice B, UL (Tolerable Upper Intake Level), is the maximum daily intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects. Choice D, DV (Daily Value), is a general guide used for food labeling that represents how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet based on a 2000-calorie daily intake.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Mechanical digestion involves physical movements that break down food in the digestive tract. Segmentation (choice B) and peristalsis (choice D), which are both movements of the muscles in the digestive tract, are examples of this type of digestion. Heat (choice A), on the other hand, is related to chemical digestion, not mechanical digestion. Therefore, choice C (Option B and D) is the correct answer as it includes both examples of mechanical digestion provided in the choices. Choices A and D are incorrect because heat (choice A) is not a mechanical digestion process, and peristalsis (choice D) is a movement that helps propel food along the digestive tract but is not directly involved in breaking down food physically.