Scenario 1

Question

Mrs. Anderson is being seen in the office to evaluate her general state of health. She is found to be malnourished and is suffering from lethargy and malaise. The provider suggests she should incorporate more protein in her diet, including some red meat, which has valuable amino acids and iron. The provider asks the medical assistant to provide Mrs. Anderson with a diet sheet listing certain meats and other foods high in protein. Mrs. Anderson tells the medical assistant she is a Seventh-Day Adventist and does not eat meat.
1. What should the medical assistant tell Mrs. Anderson about her dietary restrictions? ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________
2. How can the dietary restrictions be dealt with? Should the medical assistant tell Mrs. Anderson about a dietary supplement that is very high in protein? ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________
Scenario 2
Andrea, a 32-year-old in good health, calls the office to talk with the medical assistant about the diarrhea she has had for the past three days. She says she is eating only small portions of chicken noodle soup and drinking milk, but she cannot seem to get over the diarrhea. She wants to know when she can expect to get better and when she can return to a normal diet.
1. With the provider’s approval, what should Andrea’s diet be until the diarrhea has stopped? ___________
2. Which diet should Andrea follow for 24 hours after the diarrhea has stopped? ______________________
3. Before resuming a normal diet, which eating plan should be followed next? ________________________

Answer 1

Scenario 1

1. What should the medical assistant tell Mrs. Anderson about her dietary restrictions?
   The medical assistant should acknowledge Mrs. Anderson's dietary restrictions due to her Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs and reassure her that there are plenty of plant-based protein sources available. She can be informed that foods such as legumes (beans, lentils), nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, quinoa, and dairy products (if she consumes them) can provide adequate protein. The medical assistant can also encourage her to incorporate a variety of these foods into her meals to ensure she gets enough protein and other essential nutrients.

2. How can the dietary restrictions be dealt with? Should the medical assistant tell Mrs. Anderson about a dietary supplement that is very high in protein?
   The dietary restrictions can be addressed by focusing on plant-based protein options to complement her diet. If Mrs. Anderson is open to the idea, the medical assistant can suggest a protein supplement that is vegetarian or vegan, such as a plant-based protein powder made from pea, hemp, or brown rice protein. It's essential to ensure that any supplement recommended aligns with her dietary beliefs and does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. Furthermore, the emphasis should be placed on obtaining nutrients through whole foods whenever possible.

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Scenario 2

1. With the provider’s approval, what should Andrea’s diet be until the diarrhea has stopped?
   Until the diarrhea has stopped, Andrea should follow the BRAT diet, which includes Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. These foods are easy to digest and can help firm up stools. In addition, she should continue to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, including water and clear broths.

2. Which diet should Andrea follow for 24 hours after the diarrhea has stopped?
   For 24 hours after the diarrhea has stopped, Andrea should gradually reintroduce bland, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest, similar to the BRAT diet but also including other options like plain boiled potatoes, plain crackers, and cooked carrots. This phase is often referred to as the "bland diet."

3. Before resuming a normal diet, which eating plan should be followed next?
   Before returning to a normal diet, Andrea can move on to a "soft diet" that includes more variety while still avoiding high-fiber foods and greasy, spicy, or dairy-rich foods that might upset her stomach. This could include cooked vegetables, soft fruits, eggs, and lean meats such as chicken or turkey. After 48 hours on this soft diet, she can slowly reintroduce her regular dietary choices, monitoring her tolerance.