Ask students how these nutritional objectives relate to nursing care.
Why is it important for health care professionals to exemplify optimal nutrition both in regard to themselves and their clients?
Besides carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, what other nutrients are essential for health?
How does nutrition relate to physical activity in terms of homeostasis?
How do the terms nutritional science and dietetics differ?
Which governmental agencies study nutritional science and make public health recommendations?
Ask students to name some recent nutritional discoveries or topics in the news pertaining to nutrition.
How have nutritional recommendations changed over time?
Is the high-protein, low-carbohydrate trend backed up by scientific knowledge?
How can a consumer make sense of dietary recommendations in the face of changing guidelines?
What type of education and training does an RD receive?
How do nurses and RDs work together in a hospital or clinic setting?
What resources can an RD provide to assist with a nursing plan of care?
How do surgery, infection, and different developmental stages affect nutritional requirements?
Why is nutrition a component of health and wellness?
Ask students to identify uses of food other than to satisfy hunger.
How do nutritional requirements change during a person’s life span?
If a person is malnourished, how does that affect his or her functioning?
How can a nurse incorporate nutritional science and education into a plan of care?
How does the wellness approach differ from the traditional medical model of health care?
How can preventive care reduce health costs?
Give an example of a disease process directly related to nutritional status.
If disease is a result of various factors, how can lifestyle changes affect overall health and wellness?
Ask students to name lifestyle choices that promote nutritional health.
Ask students to name lifestyle choices that reduce nutritional health.
What are risk factors for cardiovascular disease? For diabetes? Cancer?
What support organizations promote nutritional wellness?
Compare and contrast the traditional and preventive models of health care. What contributed to the shift in focus? Why does involving personal choice and preferences support a healthy lifestyle?
What benefits over time does optimal nutrition provide?
How is ideal body weight calculated?
Why does poor nutrition impact immune function?
How can you assess for malnutrition in your client?
Why is nutrition essential during prenatal development?
Why is nutritional status related to disease prevention and recovery from surgery or other trauma?
How do exercise and food relate to good nutrition?
What are the primary nutrients?
What is the body’s main source of food and how is it stored?
What is metabolism?
How does metabolism affect body weight?
Provide an example of nutrients that work together.
What are examples of diseases that result from a mineral or other nutrient deficiency? Excess?
What are recommended sources of complex carbohydrates?
What is the pathophysiology of diabetes and how does it relate to carbohydrates?
What type of carbohydrates should be limited in the diet?
List plant and animal sources of fats.
What is cholesterol?
What are risks associated with a high-fat diet?
Where is fat stored in the body?
What are proteins composed of?
What are examples of foods high in proteins?
How do vegetarians get enough protein in their diets?
What is collagen?
List foods high in Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and iron.
What conditions are related to too little iron? Too much iron?
How does calcium relate to osteoporosis?
Why is fat important to brain development in an infant?
What are food sources for vitamins and minerals?
Why are supplements prescribed during pregnancy and lactation?
Why is water essential for life?
What are high fiber foods?
What is the relationship between colon cancer and a low-fiber diet?
How can health professionals promote variety and moderation?
What are risk factors for undernutrition?
What federal programs address undernutrition?
What local programs address this issue?
What effect does undernutrition have on children? Older adults?
Why is overnutrition considered a form of malnutrition?
What diseases are related to overnutrition?
What are social developments that contribute to overnutrition? Undernutrition?
Why are recommendations separated among gender and age group?
When was the most recent update to DRIs produced? What were the highlights?
What is the National Academy of Sciences? What are other similar organizations throughout the world?
How do DRIs and RDAs relate to one another?
What is the EAR used for?
At what point in our history did RDAs begin to be developed? Why?
RDA and AI may be used as goals.
UL refers to total daily intake from food, fortified food, and nutrient supplements.
Why would adequate intake measurements be used instead of RDAs?
How do these goals assist in providing patient care?
Describe each panel depicted in the figure
Ask students to call out the functions of each panel.
Can the Food Guide Pyramid be taught to children?
Why is a pyramid used?
What are the goals of the Food Guide Pyramid?
Has the Food Guide Pyramid been revised recently? How?
Ask students to list a sample diet that reflects the recommendations in the pyramid.
If a person is illiterate, can the food pyramid still be used as a teaching tool? Why?
How are servings calculated?
Call out examples of food items in each group.
Are certain foods a combination of various groups (e.g., vegetable pizza, bean and rice burrito, etc.)?
How does the average American diet compare to the recommendations in this guide?
How could a nurse utilize these recommendations in a care plan?
How does fitness relate to nutritional status?
Do these guidelines also rely on the food pyramid? How?
Why is personal preference important in maintaining a healthy weight?
How do cultural considerations impact nutritional status?
Why are dietary guidelines revised over time?
What is the principal theory behind weight management?
How does sodium control affect health?
Why is it preferable to get one’s vitamins and minerals from food versus supplements? Are supplements useful?
What is the DASH diet?
What are risk factors for malnutrition?
What lifestyle choices can improve nutritional status?
How does technology impact fitness and nutrition, both positively and negatively?
How often should a person exercise?
How can a person incorporate more exercise into their daily routine?
Why is variety important?
What are food safety issues to consider?
Is juice recommended?
How can flavors and aromas be enhanced without adding salt?
What is the recommended amount of alcohol per week?
Is alcohol consumption safe during pregnancy?