Question

You have just delivered an 84-year-old with a sprained ankle to the emergency department. Your new partner asks why you bothered asking when the patient last ate. Which of the

following would be the MOST appropriate response?
The elderly often suffer from poor nutrition.
The information was needed for documentation purposes.
Protocol dictates obtaining this information on all patients.
A thorough assessment should be performed on every patient.

Answer 1

Asking when the patient last ate is important in elderly care. It helps assess nutrition, document information, and comply with protocol for a thorough assessment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Asking when the patient last ate is important in the context of delivering medical care to an 84-year-old with a sprained ankle in the emergency department. The elderly often suffer from poor nutrition, and dehydration can have serious consequences for their health. It is crucial to know when they last ate to determine if there is a risk of fasting for an extended period, which could worsen their condition. Additionally, the information is needed for documentation purposes and to comply with protocol, which dictates obtaining this information on all patients for a thorough assessment.

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