Nutritional Assessment and the Importance of Macronutrients

by | Aug 22, 2024 | Nursing

 

 

Develop a substantial initial post addressing all the points below:
Explain the components of a nutritional assessment. What important subjective and objective assessment findings will assist a nurse in developing a nutritional plan?
Explain the importance of macronutrients in maintaining nutritional health. Describe the pathophysiology of one disorder that affects the normal metabolism of a macronutrient.
Use evidence from one scholarly source other than your textbook or ATI book to support your answer. Use APA Style to cite your source.

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

Nutritional Assessment and the Importance of Macronutrients
Components of a Nutritional Assessment
A comprehensive nutritional assessment is vital in developing effective nutritional plans tailored to individual patient needs. It typically includes several key components:
1. Dietary History: This involves gathering detailed information about the patient’s dietary intake, preferences, and any food-related issues such as allergies or intolerances. Tools such as food diaries or 24-hour dietary recalls are often employed.
2. Anthropometric Measurements: These measurements provide insights into body composition and can include metrics such as weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and skinfold thickness.
3. Biochemical Analysis: Blood and urine tests can reveal crucial data about nutrient levels, metabolic rates, and the presence of deficiencies or excesses.
4. Clinical Assessment: This involves a physical examination to identify signs of malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies, which may include changes in skin, hair, nails, and muscle mass.
5. Functional Assessment: This assesses an individual’s ability to perform daily activities, which can be influenced by their nutritional status.
Subjective and Objective Findings
When assessing a patient’s nutritional status, both subjective and objective data collection is crucial.
– Subjective Findings: These include patient-reported symptoms such as fatigue, changes in appetite, weight loss or gain, and gastrointestinal issues. Understanding the patient’s lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and cultural influences on food choices also falls under subjective data.
– Objective Findings: These encompass measurable data from anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests. For instance, abnormal lab values for specific nutrients can indicate deficiencies or excesses that need to be addressed in the nutrition plan.
Importance of Macronutrients
Macronutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—are essential for maintaining overall health and supporting bodily functions:
– Carbohydrates: They are the body’s primary energy source. They provide glucose, which is vital for brain function and physical activity.
– Proteins: Essential for growth and repair of tissues, proteins play a crucial role in muscle development, immune function, and hormone production.
– Fats: Necessary for energy storage, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), and providing essential fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize.
Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus and Carbohydrate Metabolism
Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disorder that significantly affects carbohydrate metabolism. In this condition, the body either does not produce enough insulin (Type 1 Diabetes) or becomes resistant to insulin’s effects (Type 2 Diabetes). Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production.
Pathophysiology
In individuals with diabetes:
– The lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin effectively leads to elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia).
– Over time, uncontrolled hyperglycemia can result in serious complications including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy.
The typical metabolic pathway involving carbohydrates is disrupted; instead of being utilized for energy, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream. This not only affects energy levels but also leads to increased urination and thirst due to the kidneys’ effort to excrete excess glucose.
Conclusion
Nutritional assessments are critical tools for nurses to develop individualized care plans. By understanding both subjective and objective findings, nurses can address the unique nutritional needs of their patients. Additionally, recognizing the importance of macronutrients and conditions like diabetes mellitus underscores the complex interplay between diet and health. Proper management of carbohydrate intake is essential for maintaining balanced glucose levels and preventing complications associated with metabolic disorders.
References
Kirkland, L. E., & Wysocki, T. (2020). Nutritional assessment: A comprehensive approach. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(3-4), 643-654. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15173

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