Dietetic Technician Practice Test

In assisting a 78-year-old man with congestive heart failure, which meal selection goals are reasonable?

1. 2000-3000mg sodium per day, adequate potassium, and mild fluid restriction

2. No added salt diet with 2000mg potassium and 500ml of fluid per day

3. 1500mg sodium, 4000mg potassium, and 2000ml of fluid per day

4. 500mg sodium, 2000mg potassium, 1000ml fluid restriction

The correct answer is: 2000-3000mg sodium per day, adequate potassium, and mild fluid restriction

The first option presents a meal selection goal that is reasonable for a patient with congestive heart failure (CHF). In managing CHF, it is important to control sodium intake to help limit fluid retention, which is a common issue in this condition. A sodium intake of 2000-3000 mg per day can adequately help manage a patient's fluid status while still allowing for a balanced diet. Adequate potassium is also vital, especially since potassium can help counteract the effects of sodium on blood pressure and fluid balance. A milder fluid restriction is practical; while fluid intake often needs to be limited to prevent congestion, too strict a restriction may lead to dehydration, particularly in older adults who might already have lower fluid reserves. The other options suggest more drastic sodium restrictions or extremely low fluid intake, which could be unnecessarily restrictive and harmful, especially in terms of the patient's overall nutrition and hydration. For instance, a no added salt diet with only 2000 mg of potassium and a severe 500ml fluid restriction may risk electrolyte imbalances and inadequate nutrient intake. A recommendation of 4000 mg of potassium with only 1500 mg of sodium could also lead to imbalances considering the typical dietary sources of potassium. Finally, the last option proposes a very