For clients who are acutely illness affected your choice or tolerance of food? Sometimes, food aversions or intolerances can shed light on what is going on with the client. For instance, someone who experiences abdominal pain that is relieved by eating may have a duodenal ulcer. Clients with little or no intake of food or liquids are at risk for dehydration and nutrient deficiencies.
Who prepares the meals? This person may need nutritional counseling.
Do you have enough food to eat? Be aware that pride and an unwillingness to admit inability to afford an adequate diet may prevent some clients and families from answering this question. For hospitalized clients, it may be more useful to ask the client to compare the size of the meals they are served in the hospital with the size of meals they normally eat.
How much alcohol do you consume daily? Risk begins at more than one drink daily for women and more than two drinks daily for men.