Which diet is prescribed for patients suffering from diarrhea?

Appeared in: BTSC Staff Nurse 1 August-2025

Explanation

A bland diet is specifically prescribed for gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea to reduce irritation and inflammation.
It consists of foods that are soft in texture, low in fiber, and non-spicy, such as those in the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast).
These foods are easy to digest and help to absorb water in the intestine, which can firm up the stool and reduce the frequency of bowel movements.

Option A: Tube feeding is a method of delivering nutrition via a tube into the stomach or intestines. It is not a specific type of diet but a delivery mechanism.
Option C: A mechanical diet modifies the texture of food (e.g., ground, pureed) to make it easier to chew and swallow. It does not necessarily restrict fiber or irritants.
Option D: A high residue (or high-fiber) diet increases stool bulk and promotes bowel movements. This is the opposite of what is needed for diarrhea and would likely worsen the condition.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Therapeutic diets for gastrointestinal disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are responsible for educating patients and their families about the appropriate diet during a diarrheal illness to promote recovery and prevent complications like dehydration.
It is crucial to monitor the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance, as diarrhea can lead to significant losses.
A key nursing intervention is to assess the patient's tolerance to the diet and observe for any improvement or worsening of symptoms.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key clinical condition in the question, which is 'diarrhea'.
Recall the primary goal of managing diarrhea: to rest the bowel and reduce irritation.
Evaluate each dietary option based on this goal.
A 'bland diet' implies it is non-irritating and gentle, which aligns with the goal.
A 'high residue diet' is known to stimulate the bowel, which is contraindicated.
'Tube feeding' and 'mechanical diet' are related to the method of feeding or food texture, not the specific dietary composition needed to manage GI irritation in this context.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nutrition Kumud Khanna 2e p. 252-254

E6 Nutrition Monika Sharma 3e p. 235-237

Practise the full BTSC Staff Nurse 1 August-2025

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