The nutritional management of patient with acute pharyngitis includes?
a. Advice for liquid or soft diet
b. Administer IV fluids for hydration
c. Advice to avoid cool beverages and ice creams
d. Advice to drink more fluids

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (shift-2)

Explanation

A liquid or soft diet is advised to minimize pain and irritation in the inflamed pharynx during swallowing.
Increased fluid intake (at least 2-3 L/day) is essential to prevent dehydration, especially if the patient has a fever.
Intravenous (IV) fluids are a necessary intervention for patients with severe throat pain who are unable to maintain adequate oral hydration.
The combination of a soft diet, increased fluids, and the potential need for IV fluids represents a comprehensive approach to nutritional management.

Option A: This option incorrectly includes statement (c). Advising a patient to avoid cool beverages and ice cream is wrong, as these items can soothe a sore throat.
Option B: This option incorrectly includes statement (c). Cool beverages and ice cream are generally recommended to provide relief from sore throat pain, not avoided.
Option C: This option incorrectly includes statement (c). The recommendation to avoid cool beverages and ice cream is contrary to best practices for symptomatic relief in pharyngitis.

Visual 1: Infographic: A visual guide showing 'Soothing Foods' (like soups, yogurt, ice pops, warm tea) and 'Irritating Foods' (like spicy foods, rough crackers, acidic fruits) for a patient with pharyngitis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Nutritional management of acute pharyngitis to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
A key nursing responsibility is to assess the patient's ability to swallow and monitor for signs of dehydration (e.g., poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output).
Pain management is linked to nutrition; administering prescribed analgesics before mealtimes can make it easier for the patient to eat and drink.
What if? If the patient develops drooling, an inability to swallow, or trismus (inability to open the mouth), the nurse must notify the provider immediately. These are signs of a potential peritonsillar abscess, a medical emergency.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: appropriate nutritional advice for a patient with acute pharyngitis (a painful sore throat).
Evaluate each statement individually for its validity in managing this condition.
Statement (a) 'liquid or soft diet' is logical to reduce pain. This is correct.
Statement (b) 'IV fluids' is a valid intervention for severe cases with dehydration. This is correct.
Statement (c) 'avoid cool beverages' is counterintuitive; cool items are known to be soothing. This is incorrect.
Statement (d) 'drink more fluids' is a standard recommendation for any infection to prevent dehydration. This is correct.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.