[Verified Answer]: Identifying Ervin’s Special Nutritional Needs…

Identifying Ervin’s Special Nutritional Needs Ervin is now in the second grade. His cognitive development is at the same level as his peers, or beyond, and he’s the reigning spelling champion in his class. He is also the shortest child in the class by far. His stature is more on par with that of a kindergartener. He was born 8 weeks early and has had many challenges to overcome with his health, nutrition, and development. 1. There are four other children in Ervin’s class with special needs due to mental and/or physical disabilities and/or health conditions. These students are included in all the same activities as the other children, with the exception of times when they meet with their assigned tutors to address their unique learning needs. The school, the parents, and the health care providers are all in agreement that they are children first before their diagnoses. This concept is known as __________. a. basic human nature b. children are children first — c. individuals with disabilities education concept d. neutralizing educational disparities with equal treatment of a supporting environment e. None of these are correct. 2. Ervin is considered to have special needs, including nutritional needs. Which of the following factors does NOT affect the nutritional needs of a child? a. High fluid volume is needed with frequent losses from vomiting and/or diarrhea. b. High protein is needed with high protein losses, such as skin breakdown. c. Low energy intake may be appropriate with small muscle size. d. Routine illness is more likely to result in hospitalizations or resurgence of symptoms of the underlying disorder. e. A child who tends to sleep 30 minutes to an hour longer than the majority of his peers may require additional protein. f. Long-term use of prescribed medications may increase or decrease vitamin or mineral requirements, or change the balance of vitamins and minerals needed as a result of medication side effects. g. High fiber may be needed for chronic-constipation management. 3. One of Ervin’s classmates, Levionne, has mild cerebral palsy. As a child with special needs, Levionne regularly sees the doctor to monitor her growth and development, and her stature measurements indicate that she has hit a plateau for the past year. True or False: This is something that is not unexpected for a child with CP. a. True b. False 4. There are many eating and feeding problems for children with special needs. Match the disease or disorder with its corresponding nutrition-related concern. Cystic fibrosis Slow weight gain and growth often associated with malabsorption due to pancreatic insufficiency. Cerebral palsy Altered GI function resulting in higher nutritional needs. Food allergies The need to eliminate individual foods or entire food groups, resulting in nutrient deficiencies. HIV Elimination of gluten-containing foods, which may then result in nutrient deficiencies. If left untreated, it may result in malabsorption. Phenylketonuria Individuals consume diets that are severely limited in protein intake. Celiac disease Persons have increased energy and protein needs. These persons are often consuming multiple medications. 1. a. b. c. d. e. f. 2. a. b. c. d. e. f. 3. a. b. c. d. e. f. 4. a. b. c. d. e. f. 5. a. b. c. d. e. f. 6. a. b. c. d. e. f. 5. One child in Ervin’s class has severe health conditions that require gastronomy feeding. True or False: If a child’s health condition is severe enough to warrant gastronomy feeding, the child cannot eat at school and should only receive gastronomy feedings at night in the privacy of their home; they will only receive food through their GI tube. a. True b. False 6. Ervin’s growth has slowed due to having increased needs and challenges. He was fortunate to be born into a family with a mindset of doing the best they can to support his growth rather than allowing his conditions to limit him. Ervin and his family continue to face challenges with mealtimes, so his mom seeks help understanding the common challenges faced by other families with special health care needs. Which of the following is a common feeding problem that other families face with a child with special health care needs? a. Self-feeding skills are lower than the child’s actual age, requiring assistance and supervision to ensure adequate food intake. b. Parents should control portion sizes to prevent rapid weight gain. c. Children need bite-size pieces for their entire childhood in order to manage dietary intake. d. Meals are eaten at such a rapid pace that families should monitor overall intake.