Definition of Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
Defining Characteristics of Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
- Abdominal pain, cramping
- Altered taste sensation; aversion to or lack of interest in eating
- Body weight 20% under ideal weight
- Diarrhea or steatorrhea
- Excessive hair loss
- Fragile capillaries
- Hyperactive bowel sounds
- Lack of information, misconceptions, or misinformation
- Loss of body weight despite adequate food intake
- Pale conjunctiva and mucous
- Perceived inability to digest or ingest food
- Satiety immediately after ingesting food
- Weakness of muscle required for chewing or swallowing
Related Factors of Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
- Biological factors
- Economic factors
- Inability to absorb nutrients
- Inability to digest/ingest food
- Physiologic factors
Nursing Care Plan for Imbalanced Nutrition Less Than Body Requirements | Assessment Focus
Nursing Diagnosis for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements | Assessment Focus
Assessment Focus of Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements (Refer To Comprehensive Assessment Parameters.)
- Behavior
- Coping
- Nutrition
- Elimination
- Fluids and electrolytes
- Values/beliefs
Expected Outcomes of Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
The patient will
- Consume ____ calories daily.
- Gain __ pounds per week and show no further evidence of weight loss.
- Communicate understanding of dietary needs.
- Demonstrate ability to plan meals that will help patient gain weight.
Suggested NOC Outcomes | Nursing Diagnosis for Nutrition
Nutritional Status; Nutritional Status: Food & Fluid Intake; Nutritional Status: Nutrient Intake; Weight Control
Nursing Care Plan for Imbalanced Nutrition Less Than Body Requirements | Nursing Interventions
Nursing Diagnosis for Nutrition | Nursing Interventions of Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
Nursing Interventions of Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements and Rationales
- Assess height, weight, meal preparation, serum albumen, and usual dietary pattern, weight fluctuation over the last 10 years, psychosocial status, and coping behavior. Assessment of these factors will allow the nurse to choose appropriate interventions.
- Obtain and record patient’s weight everyday at the same time to ensure keeping an accurate record of weight.
- Monitor fluid intake and output every 8 hr to provide adequate fluid replacement.
- Provide a diet prescribed for the patient’s specific condition and preferences to ensure that the patient’s dietary restrictions are followed as much as possible. Keep snacks at the bedside to allow the patient to eat small amounts frequently.
- Approach patient in a nonjudgmental manner. This demonstrates unconditional positive respect for the patient. Facilitate opportunities for spiritual nourishment and growth to address patient’s holistic needs for maximal therapeutic environment.
- Teach self-healing techniques to both the patient and family such as meditation, guided imagery, yoga, and prayer. Teach patient how to incorporate the use of self-healing techniques in carrying out usual daily activities. These techniques can be used to reduce anxiety and increase self-reliance.
- Provide patient with concise information about the diagnosis, and teach principles of good nutrition for specific condition. Understanding encourages compliance with treatment and nutritional regimen.
- Provide opportunities for the patient to discuss reasons for not eating and to clarify values about the importance of food in order to determine appropriate interventions.
- After obtaining patient’s food preferences, attempt to obtain desired foods for the patient. Offer food that appeal to olfactory, visual, and tactile senses to enhance patient’s appetite.
- Whenever possible, sit with patient for a predetermined time during each meal. This inhibits patient from dawdling during the meal.
- Acknowledge patient’s right to choose not to comply with prescribed regimen. Patient’s autonomy must be respected. Control over patient’s actions is legitimate only when danger is posed to patient or others.
- Use support systems to reinforce negotiated behaviors. Support from the family helps foster compliance.
- Refer patient to a dietitian or nutritional support team for dietary management. Refer family to community resources and support groups available to assist patient in complying with modification of behavior. If patient’s situation is complicated by a lack of financial resources, contact agencies that may offer help with the cost of medical treatment. Refer to a member of the clergy or a spiritual counselor, according to the patient’s preference, to show respect for the patient’s beliefs and provide spiritual care.
Suggested NIC Interventions | Nursing Care Plan for Imbalanced Nutrition Less Than Body Requirements
Diet Staging; Eating Disorders Management; Fluid Monitoring; Mutual Goal-Setting; Weight Goal-Setting
Nursing Diagnosis for Nutrition | Nursing Interventions of Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
