Question

The nurse is providing dietary teaching for a client with Meniere's disease. Which statement indicates that the client understands the role of diet in triggering her symptoms? A. "I can expect to see more problems with tinnitus if I eat a lot of dairy products." B. "I need to limit foods that taste salty or that contain a lot of sodium." C. "I can help control problems with vertigo if I avoid breads and cereals." D. "I need to eat fewer foods that are high in potassium, such as raisins and bananas."

Short answer

Based on the evaluation of the given statements, identify the correct answer that demonstrates the client's understanding of how diet affects their symptoms of Meniere's disease. Answer: B. "I need to limit foods that taste salty or that contain a lot of sodium." Explanation: This statement indicates that the client understands the connection between sodium intake and the symptoms of Meniere's disease. By reducing sodium in their diet, the client can manage fluid retention, which can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with Meniere's disease. The other options do not accurately reflect the role of diet in managing Meniere's disease symptoms.

Step-by-step solution

- Understanding Meniere's disease and symptoms

Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes severe dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness or congestion in the affected ear. Diet can play a significant role in managing symptoms of Meniere's disease, particularly in relation to sodium intake.

- Evaluating the choices

Let's evaluate each statement to determine the correct answer: A. Tinnitus is commonly associated with Meniere's disease, but there is no direct link between dairy products and increased tinnitus symptoms. B. Limiting sodium intake can help manage symptoms of Meniere's disease as a diet high in sodium may cause fluid retention, which can exacerbate the symptoms. C. There is no specific evidence that avoiding breads and cereals can control vertigo symptoms in Meniere's disease. D. Potassium is not related to the symptoms of Meniere's disease; therefore, avoiding high-potassium foods such as raisins and bananas is not necessary.

- Identifying the correct answer

Based on the analysis, the correct answer is: B. "I need to limit foods that taste salty or that contain a lot of sodium." This statement shows that the client understands the relation between sodium intake and the symptoms of Meniere's disease. Reducing sodium in the diet helps to manage fluid retention, which in turn can help to alleviate the symptoms of Meniere's disease.

Key concepts

Understanding a Low-Sodium Diet for Meniere's Disease

A low-sodium diet is typically recommended for individuals with Meniere's disease, because sodium can affect fluid balance in the body.

When you consume excessive amounts of sodium, your body tends to retain more fluid. This retention may increase pressure in the inner ear, potentially worsening Meniere's disease symptoms such as vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

The goal is to limit sodium intake to help reduce these symptoms. A general recommendation is to consume less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day, but it's important to follow the specific advice of your healthcare provider. To start on a low-sodium diet: