BANAAG, Mark Raven B. Ms.

Vivian Lajara
BSN- II December 16, 2021
Case in Point Max: Decreasing Appetite
Max is a 95-year-old man. His wife of 64 years, Sophia, died after suffered a stroke
12 years ago. Max misses Sophia dearly, but tries to remain active and busy to keep
his mind off of the sadness that he now has in his life. Max had been a salesman for
many years and had a love for people and a gift for conversation. After Sophia’s
death, he decided to volunteer at the local hospital. For several years, he helped
transport clients at discharge, offered books and magazines to clients, and delivered
flowers and mail. About a year ago, the volunteer work began to be too much for him
physically, so he decided to stop.

Max’s daughter, Avery, and her children live nearby. Avery often stops to visit with
her dad in the evenings, and cook meals and bring food to him on a regular basis. Max
isn’t much of a cook. Since Sophia’s death, he has depended on Avery or restaurants
for any hot meals. Recently, Avery has noticed that her Dad is eating less of the
food she puts in his refrigerator. Max says that he doesn’t have much of an
appetite. Avery has also noticed that her father’s hygiene practices are in decline,
as he is not the neatly dressed, clean-shaven man she knows, but is bearded and
usually dressed in pajamas. Avery is concerned because her father looks very pale and
thin. Max has also reported feeling weak and dizzy. Avery decides it’s time to take
her father to the doctor.

Assessment
 What do you know about Max and his health?
 Max health is at risk and concerning
 What do you know is a barrier in Max’s life to maintaining health?
 Barriers like his age, his current medical condition and emotional
state.
 What nutrients are missing from Max’s diet, and why?
 He is probably needing more vitamins and minerals to sustain a
healthier life.
 How significant is the problem? What are the long-term consequences of the
problem?
 General weakness and dizziness poses a risk for his overall safety.

Diagnosis
 Complete the following statement: Imbalanced nutrition; less than body
requirements related to.
 Related to depression and grieving
  What nutrition education does Avery need to help Max?
 Help the patient identify area to change that will make the greatest
contribution to improved nutrition and offering her dad to eat together
whenever possible.
Plan/Goal
 What are your goals for Max’s diet?
 After intervention the client should have an improved energy level
without any dizziness and weakness and improved self-esteem.
Implementation
 Identify how each of the following resources can help Max solve this problem
and prevent further problems: his daughter, Avery; his grandchildren; his
church; and local agencies.
 Avery & granddaughters
 Provide companionship during mealtime.
Rationale: Attention to the social perspectives of eating is important.

 Provide a pleasant environment.

Rationale: A pleasing atmosphere helps in decreasing stress and is more
favorable to eating.

 Evaluate the environment in which eating happens.

Rationale: Most adults find themselves “eating on the run” or relying
massively on fast foods with lower nutritional components. Older people
living independently may not have the drive to prepare a meal for
themselves.

 If patient lacks strength, schedule rest periods before meals and open
packages and cut up food for patient.
Rationale: Nursing assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
will conserve the patient’s energy for activities the patient values.
Patients who take longer than one hour to complete a meal may require
assistance.

Evaluation/Outcome Criteria
 At Max’s next Nurse Practitioner (NP) appointment, what changes would the NP
expect to note? What would the NP expect Avery to report?
 After the appointment with the NP she expects an improvement on Max’s
overall health condition as evidenced by less weakness and dizzinesss