Question

Difficulty: MediumHealth Promotion and Disease Prevention

During a routine 12-month wellness visit, a practical nurse reviews the health record of an infant who has a documented severe congenital immunodeficiency. The parents mention the family adheres strictly to a vegan lifestyle. Which intervention should the nurse implement to support disease prevention and health maintenance for this client?

  1. Reinforce previous teaching regarding the necessity of vitamin B12 supplementation and fortified plant-based foods.Answer
  2. B
    Prepare the live-attenuated varicella vaccine for administration according to the standard infant schedule.
  3. C
    Supply educational materials on establishing a daytime bowel training schedule for the upcoming month.
  4. D
    Recommend introducing whole dairy milk into the diet to promote adequate calcium absorption and bone growth.

Answer

The correct intervention is to reinforce previous teaching regarding the necessity of vitamin B12 supplementation and fortified plant-based foods.
A vegan diet lacks naturally occurring vitamin B12, which is found almost exclusively in animal products. The practical nurse correctly identifies this nutritional risk and reinforces teaching about appropriate supplementation to prevent neurological complications and megaloblastic anemia, which aligns with health promotion principles and the practical nursing scope of practice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client data provided in the stem.
The client is a 12-month-old infant with severe congenital immunodeficiency whose family follows a strict vegan diet.
Identifying the client's age, medical condition, and dietary practices is required to select safe and appropriate health promotion interventions.
2
Evaluate the risk factors associated with a strict vegan diet in infancy.
A vegan diet excludes all animal products, creating a high risk for vitamin B12, iron, and calcium deficiencies.
Understanding nutritional deficits specific to dietary choices helps guide appropriate preventative education.
3
Determine the most appropriate and safe nursing action based on the identified risks.
Reinforcing the need for vitamin B12 and appropriate plant-based fortification directly addresses the nutritional risk while respecting the family's lifestyle.
This action fulfills the practical nurse's role in health promotion and disease prevention.

Key Concept

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for Special Populations
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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