Question

A patient on a sodium-controlled diet has been observed ordering Chinese take-out only a few hours after his nutrition consult. The patient reports "a little salt won't hurt me". The dietician __________.

a. concludes that providing a list of high sodium foods will help him
b. decides that the patient needs a stricter sodium-controlled diet
c. concludes that the patient is not ready to learn and implement the diet changes
d. suggests that he also add an exercise plan and more fiber into his current diet.

Answer 1

The dietician concludes that the patient is not ready to learn and implement the diet changes due to their casual attitude towards a sodium-controlled diet. Excessive sodium intake is linked to serious health issues like high blood pressure and heart disease, and reading food labels for sodium content is advised.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's dismissive attitude towards sodium intake suggests a lack of readiness to adopt dietary changes. The dietician concludes that the patient is not ready to learn and implement the diet changes. It's pivotal to understand that the average person consumes up to 10 times the daily needed sodium, mostly through processed and prepared foods.

Limiting sodium intake is crucial as high consumption is linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease. Moreover, excess sodium can lead to a condition called hyponatremia, especially when coupled with excessive water intake. A key strategy is to choose foods with lower sodium content by reading labels and opting for whole foods over processed ones.