Question

The preoperative assessment revealed that the patient has brittle nails and hair, dry skin turgor, and muscle wasting. What is the best nurse's action?

a.Refer the patient to Meals on Wheels after discharge.
b.Document the findings thoroughly in the patient's chart.
c.Encourage the patient to eat more after recovering from surgery.
d.Consult the surgeon about a postoperative dietitian referral

Answer 1

The best nurse's action would be to document the findings thoroughly in the patient's chart.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best nurse's action in this situation would be to document the findings thoroughly in the patient's chart (option B).

Brittle nails and hair, dry skin turgor, and muscle wasting are all signs of malnutrition. By documenting these findings, the nurse ensures that this important information is available to the healthcare team.

Options A, C, and D may be appropriate interventions for malnutrition, but they are not the best initial action to take. Referring the patient to Meals on Wheels, encouraging the patient to eat more, and consulting a postoperative dietitian are all steps that can be taken after the assessment has been documented and the healthcare team is aware of the patient's nutritional status.