Nursing Care Plan: Imbalanced Nutrition: More Than Body Requirements

Nursing Diagnosis

Imbalanced Nutrition: More Than Body Requirements

Definition

A state in which an individual consumes nutrients in excess of the body’s metabolic needs.

Etiology

• Excessive intake of food
• Lack of knowledge about nutrition
• Emotional eating
• Medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome)
• Medications (e.g., steroids, antidepressants)

Signs and Symptoms

• Weight gain
• Obesity
• Increased body fat
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Cancer

Assessment

• Obtain a complete health history, including dietary habits, exercise patterns, and medical conditions.
• Perform a physical examination, including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and skin fold thickness measurements.
• Review laboratory tests, such as fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and hemoglobin A1c.

Nursing Care Plan

Goal

The goal of nursing care is to help the individual achieve a healthy weight and maintain a balanced diet.

Interventions

• Provide nutrition education and counseling to help the individual understand the importance of a healthy diet and make healthy food choices.
• Help the individual develop a personalized eating plan that meets their individual needs.
• Encourage the individual to participate in regular physical activity.
• Refer the individual to a registered dietitian or other healthcare professional for further support and guidance.

Evaluation

• Evaluate the individual’s progress towards achieving their goals.
• Make adjustments to the nursing care plan as needed.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, dietitians, and social workers, to provide comprehensive care for the individual.

Documentation

• Document the individual’s assessment findings, nursing interventions, and progress towards goals.

References

• American Dietetic Association. (2012). Nutrition Care Process and Model. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic Association.
• National Institute of Health. (2012). Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nutrition Care in Chronic Renal Disease. Bethesda, MD: National Institute of Health.
• World Health Organization. (2000). Obesity: Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.