Which of the following is NOT advised for diarrhea?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 shift 1st

Explanation

Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that is high in insoluble fiber.
Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and can increase the speed of intestinal transit (motility).
Consuming high-fiber foods like spinach during a diarrheal episode can irritate the gut and worsen the frequency and wateriness of stools.

Option A: Bananas are highly recommended for diarrhea. They are a core component of the BRAT diet because they are easy to digest, provide essential potassium to replace lost electrolytes, and their pectin content (a soluble fiber) can help absorb excess water in the intestines.
Option B: Sucrose, as a source of glucose, is a key ingredient in Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). Glucose co-transports with sodium, enhancing the absorption of water and electrolytes from the gut, which is the primary treatment goal to prevent dehydration in diarrhea.
Option D: Poha (flattened rice) is a form of refined rice, which is a low-fiber, easily digestible simple carbohydrate. It provides energy without putting a strain on the digestive system, making it a suitable food during diarrhea.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Dietary Management in Diarrhea as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing role is educating patients and caregivers on appropriate dietary choices during illness. For diarrhea, this involves teaching the importance of a low-fiber, bland diet and adequate fluid intake.
Nurses must monitor patients with diarrhea for signs of dehydration, such as decreased skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, and reduced urine output. Prompt initiation of ORS is a critical intervention.
What if? - If the patient had constipation instead of diarrhea, the advice would be reversed. High-fiber foods like spinach would be recommended to add bulk to the stool and promote regular bowel movements.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative keyword 'NOT' in the question. This means you are looking for the option that is contraindicated or should be avoided.
Evaluate each food option based on its properties and effect on the gastrointestinal tract during diarrhea.
Recall that the goal of a diarrhea diet is to be bland, low in fiber, and easy to digest to give the bowel rest.
Consider Bananas: Part of the BRAT diet, recommended.
Consider Sucrose: A key component of ORS for rehydration, recommended.
Consider Poha: Simple rice product, low-fiber and easy to digest, recommended.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Dietary Management in Diarrhea
Stem keywords: diarrhea, advised
Lead-in keywords: NOT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks what is NOT advised, requiring you to identify the food that should be avoided during diarrhea.

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E6 Nutrition Monika Sharma 3e p. 235-237

E6 Nutrition Kumud Khanna 2e p. 250-252

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 shift 1st

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