Final answer:
The patient at the greatest risk for inadequate nutrition is the 76-year-old chair-bound recovering from a stroke, due to physical limitations and changes in appetite and swallowing. The correct answer is option A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The patient at the greatest risk for experiencing inadequate nutrition is the 76-year-old chair-bound individual recovering from a stroke (option A). This patient is likely to have physical mobility limitations that may affect their ability to access and prepare nutritious meals.
Additionally, the recovery process from a stroke often involves changes in appetite and difficulty swallowing, which can further contribute to inadequate nutrition. On the other hand, the 55-year-old with diabetes (option B) and the 46-year-old recovering from a minor illness (option C) may have specific dietary restrictions or challenges.
The 96-year-old living at home and eating three meals a day (option D) may be at risk for certain nutritional deficiencies due to aging, but their regular meal consumption suggests they have a higher likelihood of adequate nutrition compared to the other options.