A client diagnosed with negative nitrogen balance tells the nurse abou

A client diagnosed with negative nitrogen balance tells the nurse about participating in ritualistic fasts as a part of his culture. The client abstains from all food for several days at a time.

What should the nurse discuss with the client regarding this practice?
1. The amount of weight the client will lose during the fasts
2. The need to ingest some carbohydrates for body functions
3. The amount of calories the client will need to ingest after fasting for several days
4. The importance of the practice to the client

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The client’s weight loss is not as important as is the harm the fast is doing to the client’s protein stores and nitrogen balance.
Rationale 2: A person who fasts will obtain most of his or her calories from fat metabolism, but some of the body’s carbohydrate and protein stores must be used to support brain, nerve, and red blood cell function. The nurse should discuss with the client reasons to ingest carbohydrates to preserve the client’s protein stores during the ritualistic fasts.
Rationale 3: The client’s need for increased caloric intake after the fast is not as important as is the harm the fast is doing to the client’s protein stores and nitrogen balance.
Rationale 4: The importance of the practice to the client is not as important as is the harm the fast is doing to the client’s protein stores and nitrogen balance.