Question

The nurse is preparing to perform a nursing assessment of a client diagnosed with failure to thrive. Which item in the health history will the nurse assess prior to beginning the nursing assessment of this​ client?

a) Percentiles on growth chart for previous visits
b) Caregiver interactions with the child
c) Current activity level
d) Height and weight for current visit

Answer 1

The nurse will assess the percentiles on the growth chart for previous visits when evaluating a client with failure to thrive to identify trends and potential issues in the child's growth pattern.

Step-by-step explanation:

The item in the health history that the nurse will assess prior to beginning the nursing assessment of a client diagnosed with failure to thrive is a) Percentiles on growth chart for previous visits. This is important because it allows the nurse to understand the growth pattern of the child and whether there has been a consistent issue with growth. Comparing current metrics with past percentiles on the growth chart helps the healthcare provider gauge if the child’s growth trajectory is below the expected standards for their age, which could signal potential health problems or nutritional deficiencies.

Since the growth chart history shows the progression over time, it's a crucial indicator of a child’s overall health and wellbeing. Tracking weight and length changes in sequential visits is essential for identifying trends in growth, which are more telling than single measurements at a point in time. Slow or stunted growth may suggest underlying health issues or inadequate nutrition, potentially leading to permanent physical or developmental issues if not addressed.