NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN

Walden University NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN– Step-By-Step Guide

This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.

How to Research and Prepare for NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.

After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.

How to Write the Introduction for NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN

The introduction for the Walden University NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.

How to Write the Body for NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN

After the introduction, move into the main part of the NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.

Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.

How to Write the Conclusion for NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN

After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.

How to Format the References List for NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN

The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.

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Sample Answer for NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN

Given the negative long-term health effects of childhood obesity and the direct and indirect links it has to lifelong economic burdens, it is a substantial public health concern1 (Notara et al., 2019). The onset of obesity is influenced by both inherited and obesogenic environmental variables. Over 20 genetic variants are connected to the emergence of juvenile obesity through genetic investigations. In meanwhile, environmental obesogenic variables including a high-energy diet, little sleep, and little exercise also cause juvenile obesity. When addressing the incidence of pediatric obesity, parental overweight/obesity is thought of as a proxy for genetic susceptibility and/or obesogenic environment. This paper will look at possible health issues and challenges for a 2-year-old female who is a normal weight and lives with an obese mother and a normal body weight father, in addition to potential preventative strategies. 

Health Issues and Risks 

Families often have similar dietary habits, sedentary habits, and amounts of physical activity. If one parent is overweight or obese, the likelihood of their child being overweight rises (Fields et al., 2021). High-BMI individuals are more prone to experience weight-related health issues. They include diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Furthermore, bone and joint issues as well as breathlessness that makes playing sports or engaging in any physical activity difficult may affect overweight children and teenagers. Also, it can exacerbate asthma symptoms or cause children to develop asthma, snoring, or breathing issues at night, like sleep apnea, which is obstructive as well as a propensity to grow sooner. In addition to having irregular menstrual cycles, adult reproductive issues, and liver and gallbladder illness, overweight children may be taller and more physically mature than their classmates, setting unrealistic expectations for them to behave accordingly. 

Childhood-onset cardiovascular risks factors, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, can result in adult-onset heart disease and stroke (Ball et al., 2019). Children who are overweight or obese might potentially benefit from treatment or prevention to avoid developing these issues as they age older. Along with dealing with emotional problems (including poor self-esteem), bullying, and rejection from peers, children may also have emotional difficulties. Children who are overweight or obese run the risk of harmful eating habits, eating disorders, depression, and substance misuse. 

Additional Information 

Parents may ensure their kid is obtaining or keeping an appropriate weight by monitoring growth patterns throughout time. Given the scenario presented, it will be required to take into account the toddler’s BMI in addition to other variables including family history, pulse rate, blood sugar levels, eating habits, and degree of physical activity. Moreover, a pregnancy history disclosing the presence of gestational diabetes or other pregnancy problems is required (Liberali et al., 2021). Also, the doctor must evaluate and plot earlier anthropometric data on suitable growth charts, with a focus on smaller kids’ “catch-up growth,” extremely early weight increase, and weight accumulation before pubertal maturation. Review of systems will entail keeping track of the kids’ sleeping habits and assessing their mood or eating habits. 

Risk Assessment 

Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference are two measurements that are useful to know to analyze a person’s weight-related health more. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement of body fat centered on weight and height. If someone is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese, it indicates that. A person’s waist circumference can provide information on how much abdominal fat they have, which is linked to several chronic diseases, such as metabolic disorders (Fields et al., 2021). Except for assessing a patient’s fasting sugar levels and lipid profile on each patient, the decision about additional diagnostic laboratory testing is based on the toddler’s risk factor status. To create a personalized and targeted treatment strategy, it is crucial to understand the reasons for the variables perpetuating the toddler’s overweight and obesity.   

Questions 

It’s critical to validate the experiences of people who are at high risk for obesity and diabetes, assist them in developing explanations for changing their health-related behaviors, and accept their freedom to make that decision while assessing these kids (Rosello et al., 2020). I’ll ask the toddler’s parents a range of questions, including: 

1. What do you think of your child’s growth trajectory right now? 

2. How much food should you give your toddler at each meal? 

3. Should your family alter its eating routine to support the decisions of your younger children? 

Mitigating Strategies  

Parents must make decisions regarding their family’s diet, exercise routine, and time spent together to prevent their children from getting overweight. Parents who provide a good example for their children might encourage them to choose a healthy lifestyle. Parents are urged to adopt a whole-family strategy to keep children of all ages at a healthy weight. Making exercise and a healthy diet a family affair is crucial. As the children become older, the parent should additionally include them by allowing them to assist in meal planning and preparation. WHO advises providing suggestions on diet and physical activity to caregivers and parents in cases when newborns and children are recognized as being overweight (Dains et al., 2020). If children are obese, they should be evaluated further and a treatment strategy should be created.  

Also Read:

DIGITAL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE (DCE): HEALTH HISTORY ASSESSMENT

LAB ASSIGNMENT: DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS FOR SKIN CONDITIONS

CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSING THE HEAD, EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT

DIGITAL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: FOCUSED EXAM: COUGH

LAB ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSING THE ABDOMEN

DIGITAL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: ASSESSING THE HEART, LUNGS, AND PERIPHERAL VASCULAR SYSTEM

ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSING NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

DIGITAL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: COMPREHENSIVE (HEAD-TO-TOE) PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

LAB ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSING THE GENITALIA AND RECTUM

Conclusion 

The prevalence of childhood obesity has grown recently. Thankfully, dietary and lifestyle adjustments may typically be used to manage childhood obesity. These adjustments are critical because children who are obese are more likely to stay that way into adulthood and are also at an increased risk of developing weight-related health issues including diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. Children and adults who are obese may have terrible psychological side effects such as depression, social isolation, and low self-esteem. 

References 

Ball, J., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2019). Seidel’s guide to physical examination: an interprofessional approach (9th ed.). Mosby. 

Dains, J. E., Scheibel, P., & Baumann, L. C. (2020). Advanced health assessment and clinical diagnosis in primary care (6th ed.). Elsevier. 

Fields, L. C., Brown, C., Skelton, J. A., Cain, K. S., & Cohen, G. M. (2021). Internalized Weight Bias, Teasing, and Self-Esteem in Children with Overweight or Obesity. Childhood Obesity, 17(1), 43–50. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2020.0150 

Liberali, R., Del Castanhel, F., Kupek, E., & Assis, M. A. A. de. (2021). Latent Class Analysis of Lifestyle Risk Factors and Association with Overweight and/or Obesity in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review. Childhood Obesity, 17(1), 2–15. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2020.0115 

Notara, V., Magriplis, E., Prapas, C., Antonogeorgos, G., Rojas-Gil, A. P., Kornilaki, E. N., Lagiou, A., & Panagiotakos, D. B. (2019). Parental weight status and early adolescence body weight in association with socioeconomic factors. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 8, 77. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_14_19 

Rosello, R., Gledhill, J., Yi, I., Watkins, B., Harvey, L., Hosking, A., Viner, R., & Nicholls, D. (2020). Early intervention in child and adolescent eating disorders: The role of a parenting group. European Eating Disorders Review. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2798 

Sample Answer 2 for NURS 6512 CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION IN CHILDREN

A seven-year-old Hispanic female who is in second grade is brought in severely underweight. On physical examination, she has a weak pulse, bilateral pedal edema, and is apathetic. However, she has an overweight mother who she lives with during the week and an average-weight father who she lives with during weekends. The purpose of this paper is to address the child’s health issues and risks and create strategies to make the parents more proactive with their child’s health.

Health Issues and Risks That Are Relevant to the Child

Undernutrition directly causes micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, vitamins A and D, folate, thiamine, and zinc. As a result, the child has an increased risk of developing nutritional anemia, night blindness, rickets, poor growth, and poor muscle activity, deteriorating their quality of life (Dipasquale et al., 2020). Additionally, fat and muscle mass depletion is due to reductive adaptation, where the child’s energy source is drawn from muscle, adipose, and bone. This results in reduced muscle function, fractures,and alteration in electrolyte balance.

Malnutrition may also affect the child’s cardiac function. Reductive adaptation causes cardiac muscle loss, resulting in decreased cardiac output and low blood pressure (De Sanctis et al., 2021). In addition, there is micronutrient deficiency and alterations in electrolyte balance which alter cardiac function. Decreased cardiac output leads to poor tissue perfusion, causing delayed wound healing. Reduced cardiac output and electrolyte imbalance may further worsen renal function by reducing renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate.

Malnutrition affects gastrointestinal function, resulting in changes in pancreatic exocrine function, intestinal blood flow, villous architecture, and intestinal permeability, reducing the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients. In addition, the colon loses its ability to reabsorb water and electrolytes, resulting in diarrhea and worsened nutritional losses. The liver is also affected, and all its metabolic, synthesis, detoxification, and excretory function are affected resulting in hypoglycemia and accumulation of toxic metabolites (Schuetz et al., 2021). Immune function is also affected, increasing the risk of infection due to innate and adaptive immunity predisposing the child to respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections (Fontane et al., 2023). However, due to a failed immune system, most signs of infection, such as fever, may be absent.

Additional Information I Would Need to Further Assess Her Weight-Related Health

Undernutrition causes multisystem organ dysfunction. It is thus crucial to inquire whether the parents have noticed whether the child has had persistent vomiting or diarrhea. In addition, it is crucial to note any temperature changes, signs of shock, open skin lesions, edema, dehydration, tachypnea, and cyanosis (Brits et al., 2020). I may also need to look at her growth curve to check for any previous abnormalities and compare her growth versus the standard. I would also need a mid-upper arm circumference, Z-scores, and basal metabolic index. Laboratory tests are also essential for assessing malnutrition(Kabashneh et al., 2020). Necessary tests include complete blood count, hemogram, septic screen, liver and renal function tests, urinalysis, protein tests, urea-electrolytes and creatinine test, and tests for inflammatory markers. While performing a physical exam, I would need to look for any hair, nail, eye, skin, and mouth changes, such as fissures, cheilitis, and stomatitis (De Sanctis et al., 2021). I would also need to check for distended abdomen and hepatomegaly, observe for behavioral changes, and assess for development.

Risks and Further Information I Would Need to Gain a Full Understanding of the Child’s Health

Undernutrition occurs when one does not have an adequate diet or has malabsorption conditions. In assessment of the child’s weight-related health condition, it is essential to take note of the quality and quantity of the food she takes through a food diary history (Vassilakau, 2021). Inadequate diet and non-nutritious foods like processed juices predispose to micro and macronutrient deficiencies. Additionally, it is crucial to inquire whether she has any food allergies, fads, restrictions, and preferences, as they may predispose her to undernutrition.

It is crucial to ask whether the child has any underlying medical condition that may affect the ability to swallow, digest, or absorb foods. It is crucial to assess whether they have nausea and anorexia or are taking medications that may be causing both. Additionally, it is vital to rule out any cause of dysphagia, which can limit oral intake of food (Schuetz et al., 2021). Medical conditions such as chronic diarrhea or childhood malignancies have been linked to undernutrition due to increased metabolic needs. One may also need to inquire about malabsorption disorders such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease that may cause excessive nutritional loss.

Undernutrition can also be caused due to mental health conditions and feeding environments. It is thus crucial to screen for eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia that may have an impact on the child, considering that the mother is overweight. Additionally, one may need to consider behaviors that discourage eating, such as bullying at school and childhood depression and anxiety disorders. Additionally, one may need to inquire about parental involvement in meals to inquire whether there is a source of discouragement to feeding (Engidaye et al., 2022). Lastly, it is vital to inquire about the ability of the parents to access nutritional foods and their feeding habits.

Specific Questions to Ask About the Child to Gather More Information

1. What type of food do you occasionally give your child, and does she have any preferences?
2. How do both of you contribute and participate in your daughter’s feeding patterns?
3. Are there foods you prefer not to give your daughter, and why?
4. Has your child ever been diagnosed with health conditions that may have affected her nutrition?
5. Have you noticed any behavior change that may have affected your daughter’s well-being or her relationship with food?

Strategies to Encourage the Parents to Be Proactive about Their Child’s Health and Weight

The strategies I would employ to encourage the parents to be proactive about the child’s health include educating them on child nutrition. I would provide them with resources and inform them of signs of child malnutrition to empower them with knowledge to make right decisions (Vassilakou, 2021). Secondly, I would encourage the parents to involve their daughter in discussions regarding nutrition and have a feedback session with her. I would also organize regular follow-ups to monitor for improvement and highlight positive changes.

Conclusion

Undernutrition is a common malnutrition condition that affects children. It is crucial to note the effects it has on different organ systems. Causes of undernutrition are organic, inorganic, or both. It is thus crucial to identify the cause before initiating management. Active management of malnutrition in children requires parental and child’s active participation to achieve necessary nutritional goals.

References

Brits, H., Botha, L., Maakomane, W., Malefane, T., Luthfiya, T., Tsoeueamakwa, T., &Joubert, G. (2020). The profile and clinical picture of children with undernutrition admitted to National District Hospital. The Pan African medical journal, 37, 237. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2020.37.237.25261

De Sanctis, V., Soliman, A., Alaaraj, N., Ahmed, S., Alyafei, F., &Hamed, N. (2021). Early and Long-term Consequences of Nutritional Stunting: From Childhood to Adulthood. Acta bio-medica :AteneiParmensis, 92(1), e2021168. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v92i1.11346

Dipasquale, V., Cucinotta, U., & Romano, C. (2020). Acute Malnutrition in Children: Pathophysiology, Clinical Effects and Treatment. Nutrients, 12(8), 2413. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082413

Engidaye, G., Aynalem, M., Adane, T., Gelaw, Y., Yalew, A., &Enawgaw, B. (2022). Undernutrition and its associated factors among children aged 6 to 59 months in Menz Gera Midir district, Northeast Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study. PloS one, 17(12), e0278756. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278756

Fontaine, F., Turjeman, S., Callens, K., &Koren, O. (2023). The intersection of undernutrition, microbiome, and child development in the first years of life. Nature communications, 14(1), 3554. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39285-9

Kabashneh, S., Alkassis, S., Shanah, L., & Ali, H. (2020). A Complete Guide to Identify and Manage Malnutrition in Hospitalized Patients. Cureus, 12(6), e8486. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.8486

Schuetz, P., Seres, D., Lobo, D. N., Gomes, F., Kaegi-Braun, N., &Stanga, Z. (2021). Management of disease-related malnutrition for patients being treated in hospital. Lancet (London, England), 398(10314), 1927–1938. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01451-3

Vassilakou, T. (2021). Childhood Malnutrition: Time for Action. Children (Basel, Switzerland), 8(2), 103. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8020103

NURS 6512 Discussion Diversity and Health Assessments Sample

Patient Scenario 

John Green, a 33-year-old Caucasian male, presents to the office after moving back home due to his health concerns. He has not received any healthcare for the past 2 years since transitioning from a female to a male. He presents to the office today to establish as a new patient. He states he last had a telehealth visit 3 months ago to receive his suppression medication for HIV and obtains testosterone by ordering off the internet. Other past medical history includes smoking 2 packs of cigarettes per day for the last 10 years, smokes 3-6 marijuana joints every weekend, suffers from depression, and as prior stated he is HIV positive in which he remains virally suppressed at his last blood draw 6 months ago. His current medication list includes Biktarvy that he takes once daily and 100mg of testosterone IM weekly. He has never been married and does not have any significant family history. Today he states that “for the past several weeks I have been feeling very weak and I am worried that since I am moving back home and I am unemployed, I will be a burden to my family.” 

Socioeconomic, Lifestyle, and Cultural factors with Explanation  

Transgender individuals may often feel discriminated against and not accepted, unfortunately they may also feel this way in the healthcare setting. For transgender patients to feel comfortable and safe within the healthcare setting, providers must acknowledge this difference among patients and be able to be culturally sensitive when asking questions during an assessment (Ball et al., 2023). When referring to a transgender patient, referring to them as their preferred pronoun is most appropriate. The provider shall not assume but ask the patient how they’d like to be addressed (Johnson et al., 2020). Leading with this ensures the patients’ healthcare needs are of the utmost importance. It also allows for the patient to feel more comfortable when referred to the gender they prefer. 

As a healthcare provider, speaking with your patient about possible health concerns is important. Transgender individuals have a higher prevalence of being homeless, live in poverty, ensure discrimination, psychological stress, unemployment, HIV infection, substance abuse, suicide, violence, and lack healthcare insurance (Radix, 2020). John falls into this category of not having insurance. This should be acknowledged and discussed during the initial visit. He currently receives his medications through the mail for free, does he want to continue receiving his testosterone and Biktarvy this way, if not discussing with the patient what his plans are is important, referring him to the local health department for assistance may be necessary. 

John has a history of HIV infection, another sensitive issue that must be addressed. Discussing with John whether he is currently sexually active, and his ways of protection are important in helping him to not spread HIV but also to not receive any other infections such as sexually transmitted diseases. The transgender community is particularly vulnerable to HIV and STDs and providing risk assessments and education to these patients is important in slowing and/or stopping the spread (Radix, 2020). 

Special considerations during the physical exam for John may need to be made. Having pelvic and breast exams may be traumatic and induce anxiety in transgender men. Speaking with him about cervical cancer screenings and staying up to date is very important. Transgender males may also wear a chest binder to hold down the breast and create a more masculine appearance, these may lead to skin breakdown or other skin infections due to the tightness and how often it is worn. John may be hesitant and require education about safe binding (Julian et al., 2021). 

Targeted Questions 

1. How would you like me to address you, and do you have a preferred pronoun you’d like for me to use during your visit today? 

1. Do you feel that you have adequate social support? 

1. Are there any resources that you haven’t been provided that you’d like to discuss such as counselling? 

1. Where do you obtain your prescriptions and who is currently prescribing them for you? 

1. Are you currently sexually active and with how many partners? Is your partner(s) aware of your HIV infection? Are precautions taken? 

References: 

Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2023). Seidel’s guide to physical examination: An interprofessional approach (10th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. 

Johnson, A. H., Hill, I., Beach-Ferrara, J., Rogers, B. A., & Bradford, A. (2020). Common barriers to healthcare for transgender people in the US Southeast. International Journal of Transgender Health, 21(1), 70-78. 

Julian, J. M., Salvetti, B., Held, J. I., Murray, P. M., Lara-Rojas, L., & Olson-Kennedy, J. (2021). The impact of chest binding in transgender and gender diverse youth and young adults. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(6), 1129-1134. 

Radix, A. E. (2020). Addressing needs of transgender patients: the role of family physicians. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 33(2), 314-321.