Question

A client's sodium intake at one meal was the following: \(0.002 \mathrm{~g}, 0.35 \mathrm{~g} .\) How many grams of sodium did the client consume? ______

Short answer

0.352 grams

Step-by-step solution

Identify Sodium Values

The sodium intake listed for the meal includes two amounts: 0.002 grams and 0.35 grams.

Add Sodium Values

To find the total sodium intake, we sum the two values: \[ 0.002 + 0.35 = 0.352 \]

Conclude Total Sodium Consumption

The total amount of sodium consumed by the client during the meal is 0.352 grams.

Key concepts

Understanding Math Problem Solving

Math problem solving is all about finding a solution to a given question using logical reasoning and mathematical operations. In this case, the problem asked us to find the total sodium intake during one meal by adding two decimal values. Solving such problems involves understanding the numbers given and applying the correct mathematical operation, which here is addition. In many such nutritional calculations, being precise with numbers is crucial, as dietary intakes often need to be accurate to a high degree.

Mastering Addition of Decimals

Adding decimal numbers, like in the exercise, is an essential math skill. It involves aligning the numbers by their decimal point and adding them as you would whole numbers. For the client's sodium intake:

• Write 0.002 and 0.35 one on top of the other aligning the decimal points.
• Start adding from the right-most digit to the left.

This results in 0.352 grams. It’s important to align the decimals correctly to ensure precision in the result.

Explaining Nutritional Calculation

Nutritional calculations involve quantifying specific nutrients like sodium, which are often measured in grams or milligrams. These calculations help determine whether a meal meets dietary guidelines. For example, knowing that a client consumed 0.352 grams of sodium in a meal can help evaluate total daily sodium intake, aiding in maintaining a diet with recommended sodium levels, usually less than 2.3 grams a day according to dietary guidelines.

Significance of Measurement Units in Nutrition

In nutrition, using correct measurement units is crucial for accurately tracking nutrient intake. Grams (g) and milligrams (mg) are common units:

• 1 gram = 1000 milligrams
• Sodium intake is often listed in these units due to the small amounts involved in nutritional content.

It’s essential to be comfortable converting between these units to understand total nutrient intake accurately. In the exercise above, recognizing that 0.002 g and 0.35 g are both in grams allows for a straightforward summation to find the total.