Final answer:
For a patient with dumping syndrome following a gastrectomy, it is recommended to eat small, frequent meals and to avoid liquids with meals to manage symptoms and ensure safe digestion. Large meals and high carbohydrate intake should be avoided as they can exacerbate the issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nutritional Guidelines for Dumping Syndrome
When planning dietary teaching for a patient who has dumping syndrome following a gastrectomy, it is important to note that optimal chemical digestion necessitates the slow and gradual delivery of chyme into the small intestine. Because the stomach's contents are hypertonic, they must be introduced to the small intestine in limited amounts to prevent significant osmotic water loss, a potential risk for life-threatening low blood volume. In the case of dumping syndrome, the usual process is altered, creating an urgent need to adapt dietary habits appropriately.
To manage symptoms of dumping syndrome, the nurse should advise the patient to eat small, frequent meals and avoid liquids with meals (Answer option 'd'). Consuming fluids with meals may exacerbate symptoms because they can speed up the gastric emptying process, thus should be avoided. Lying down after eating may help to some extent, but this is less about aiding digestion and more about reducing the symptoms by slowing the movement of food. Large meals with a high carbohydrate content should be avoided as they can lead to alimentary glycosuria, which occurs when an excess of carbohydrates are consumed, especially in individuals who have undergone partial gastrectomy.