Care Planning for Older Adults Flashcards

A hospice patient in the final days of life has minimal oral intake. Which nutrition care plan focus is most appropriate?

Answer: Comfort feeding and mouth care as desired

End-of-life care prioritizes comfort, with food and fluids offered for pleasure and mouth care for dryness.

Which screening tool was specifically validated for identifying malnutrition risk in adults aged 65 and older?

Answer: Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)

The MNA was developed and validated specifically for older adults.

A resident with dementia walks continuously and eats little at seated meals. Which intervention best fits a person-centered care plan?

Answer: Provide finger foods and portable snacks

Finger foods allow wandering residents to eat on the move and increase intake.

During a care transition from hospital to skilled nursing facility, which nutrition information is most critical to communicate?

Answer: Current diet order, texture/liquid consistency, and recent weight trend

Accurate transfer of diet orders, IDDSI levels, and weight data prevents errors and supports continuity.

Which member of the interdisciplinary team is typically responsible for completing a clinical swallow evaluation?

Answer: Speech-language pathologist

The SLP evaluates swallowing function and recommends safe textures and strategies.

A resident is receiving a total of 1,000 mL fluid daily and shows rising BUN:creatinine ratio. Which care plan intervention is most appropriate?

Answer: Schedule fluid rounds and offer preferred beverages between meals

Structured fluid offerings with preferred drinks are effective in correcting inadequate intake in long-term care.

How often must the MDS be completed at minimum for a long-term nursing facility resident without significant changes?

Answer: Quarterly, with a comprehensive assessment annually

Quarterly assessments are required no less than every 92 days, with a comprehensive annual assessment.