During the interview at admission, the nurse questions the patient about any recent changes in sense of taste or smell. What is the rationale for this type of question?
A)To determine if the patient has had a recent head injury.
B)To determine if the patient will have nausea following surgery.
C)To determine if the patient is at risk for altered nutrition.
D)To determine if the patient has food allergies.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the nurse asks questions of the patient about any recent changes in sense of taste or smell, they are trying to determine if the patient is at risk for altered nutrition. Recent sensory changes such as these may affect the patient's eating habits prior to admission for surgery. Because surgery may involve a period of time when the patient will not be allowed to eat, the patient with changes in the senses associated with eating may be at further risk of altered nutritional status.

During the Interview at Admission, the Nurse Questions the Patient