Question

Which is the best approach to gathering information about diet as part of a client assessment? a. You don't eat much fatty food, do you? b. Tell me about your diet. c. Do you like potato chips? d. Do you eat three meals each day?

Short answer

Option b ('Tell me about your diet.') is the best approach.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

Identify the goal of the question, which is to determine the best approach for gathering comprehensive and unbiased information about a client's diet.

Evaluate Option a

Option a ('You don't eat much fatty food, do you?') is a leading question. It implies a correct answer, which can bias the client's response and may not provide accurate information.

Evaluate Option b

Option b ('Tell me about your diet.') is an open-ended question. It allows the client to provide detailed information about their diet without any bias or leading. This is ideal for gathering comprehensive and accurate information.

Evaluate Option c

Option c ('Do you like potato chips?') is a closed-ended question focusing on a specific type of food, limiting the scope of the information gathered about the client's overall diet.

Evaluate Option d

Option d ('Do you eat three meals each day?') is another closed-ended question. It only addresses the frequency of meals and not the comprehensive details of the client's diet.

Determine the Best Option

Compare all options and determine that Option b is the best approach because it is open-ended and allows for a thorough and unbiased collection of information about the client's diet.

Key concepts

open-ended questions

Open-ended questions are key in gathering detailed and thorough information. They are designed in a way that allows respondents to answer in their own words, providing richer data. This is important in nutritional assessments because it gives clients the freedom to share all relevant aspects of their diet without any preconceived notions. For example, instead of asking 'Do you eat vegetables every day?' (which is a yes/no question), you could ask 'Can you describe your daily diet?' This invites the client to give a fuller picture of their eating habits. Using open-ended questions helps avoid bias and ensures that the information gathered is comprehensive and accurate.

nutritional assessment

A nutritional assessment is a thorough evaluation of a person's diet and nutrition status. It is crucial for identifying any dietary deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances that could affect overall health. It usually involves the following steps:

• Gathering dietary information using tools like food diaries, recalls, or frequency questionnaires.
• Assessing the nutritional quality of the diet against dietary guidelines and recommendations.
• Identifying any areas where the client needs to make changes for better health outcomes.

A good nutritional assessment not only looks at what the client eats but also considers their lifestyle, preferences, and any medical conditions. This holistic approach helps in formulating personalized and effective dietary plans.

unbiased information gathering

Unbiased information gathering is essential for obtaining an accurate and complete picture of a client's dietary habits. Bias can creep in through:

• Leading questions, which suggest a preferred answer.
• Assumptions about the client's preferences or habits.
• Inconsistent or judgmental responses.

To maintain objectivity, use tools and techniques that promote open and honest communication. For instance, instead of asking 'You don't snack between meals, do you?' opt for 'Can you tell me about your snacking habits?' This way, the client does not feel judged and is more likely to provide truthful and comprehensive information. Avoiding bias ensures that the nutritional assessment is based on accurate data, leading to better health recommendations.