Posted: May 15th, 2023

Assessment and Exploration of Feeding Difficulties in a Preschooler

Additional Assessment Information to Collect

Ricky, age 4 years, arrives in the clinic with his mother. Ricky lives with his mother and father,
who both work full-time, and his infant sister. Their extended family lives in a different state
more than 100 miles away. Both parents are of average height and in good health. Ricky’s
mother mentions that Ricky often expresses frustration, particularly in regard to food. Conflict
over food occurs every day. Mealtime is a battle to get him to eat, unless his mother feeds him.
Ricky’s baby sister seems to tolerate all baby foods but requires her mother to spoon-feed.
Ricky’s mother is quite frustrated and concerned that he will become malnourished.
Reflective Questions
1. What additional assessment information would you collect?
2. What questions would you ask, and how would you further explore this issue with the
mother?
3. In what ways does the distance of the extended family influence this family’s approach
to health promotion?
4. What factors would you consider to determine whether malnourishment is a factor in
this family

Read the case study and answer the reflective questions. Please provide evidence-based rationales for your answers. APA, 7th ed. must be followed

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Assessment and Exploration of Feeding Difficulties in a Preschooler: A Case Study

Introduction:
This article presents a case study of Ricky, a 4-year-old boy who exhibits feeding difficulties, causing concerns for his mother regarding his nutritional status. This article aims to explore the additional assessment information that would be collected, suggest relevant questions to ask Ricky’s mother, discuss the influence of extended family distance on health promotion in this family, and consider factors to determine the possibility of malnourishment.

Additional Assessment Information:
To gather a comprehensive understanding of Ricky’s feeding difficulties, it would be essential to collect additional assessment information. This can be achieved by employing a multidimensional approach that includes the following elements:
a) Medical History: Gather detailed information about Ricky’s medical history, including any known allergies, chronic illnesses, or previous instances of malnourishment. This will help identify potential underlying medical conditions or physiological factors that might contribute to his feeding difficulties.

b) Growth Parameters: Evaluate Ricky’s growth parameters, including weight, height, and head circumference, and compare them to age-appropriate growth charts. Assessing his growth trajectory will aid in determining if he is experiencing growth faltering or failure to thrive.

c) Dietary Habits: Obtain a comprehensive dietary history by documenting the types and quantities of food Ricky consumes daily. This assessment should include a record of food preferences, mealtime behaviors, feeding practices, and mealtime environment.

d) Behavioral Observations: Observe Ricky during mealtime interactions to gain insight into his behavior, temperament, and emotional responses. Note any specific triggers or patterns that may contribute to his frustration during mealtimes.

e) Psychosocial Factors: Explore the family dynamics, including the relationships between Ricky and his parents and his interaction with his infant sister. Assess the presence of any stressful events or changes in family dynamics that might contribute to the feeding difficulties.

Questions for Exploration:
To further explore the issue with Ricky’s mother, the following questions may