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Dietary Restrictions Paper

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Issue Identification

It is not uncommon for patients in 4B at Emory University Hospital to have dietary restrictions. These restrictions are usually met, understandably, with disdain and protest. In the hospital patients have very little control over what happens during their stay. Their daily routine is met with little regard and they are forced to comply with the hospital’s schedule instead. Diet is commonly one of the only aspects a patient does control. So when diet restrictions are enforced, it is important that the patient is properly educated on the reasons behind the dietary interventions and that they fully comprehend the information. This education is crucial not only for the duration of the patient’s stay but also for their life …show more content…

Current Evidence

One of the major aspects of patient health is adequate diet education. In the hospital, diet restrictions are common, especially on the cardiac floor. By fully understanding health risks associated with an unhealthy diet, patients are able to control their diet properly with the information they were provided. Current evidence shows that nutrition education sessions can positively affect patient clinical outcomes (Abshire et al., 2015, p. 989). As a nurse’s responsibility is to be aware of the current practices on nutrition education and provide the patient with up to date information. For example, in 4B there are several patients with a sodium- restricted diets. Research has shown strong positive relationships between sodium and blood pressure. It indicates that limiting sodium in diets can reduce cardiovascular incidents. Studies have documented when sodium intake was reduced by 4.4 g/ a day for at least a month, blood pressure decreased by 4 mmHg in systolic readings and 2 mmHg for diastolic readings (Suckling & Swift, 2015, p. 585-586). If nurses are aware of these implications, they can confidently apply them …show more content…

The more nurses use this method, the more accustomed they will be to it and they may be able to even reduce the time of the education session due to its increased effectiveness. The incorporation of the Teach-back method would not only enhance the client’s education, but also give the nurse an opportunity to assess any learning obstacles or health illiteracies. As a result, the patient could request a consultation with a nutritionist if more education or understanding is needed. The patient would have more one-on-one time to discuss the reasoning behind the diet and to ensure a basic understanding on how to successfully continue their diet in their daily life. The patient would also have the opportunity to express any concerns or fears concerning their new diet. By expressing their emotions concerning the subject, the patient can grow more comfortable as the education session goes on and can gain an understanding of the subject, especially when asked to reiterate the information to the nurse to indicate comprehension on the information. Communication between the patient and nurse can improve and be the basis of a healthy relationship that can be beneficial for both parties during the client’s hospital

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