Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

For an elderly client experiencing extreme irritability, what snack would be appropriate to offer to help decrease this emotion?

1. Chocolate bar

2. Glass of milk

3. Potato chips

4. Fruit juice

The correct answer is: Glass of milk

Offering a glass of milk to an elderly client experiencing extreme irritability is appropriate for several reasons. Milk is a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid that serves as a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in stabilizing mood and promoting a sense of well-being. This can potentially help alleviate feelings of irritability. Additionally, milk has a calming effect due to its protein and fat content, which can provide sustained energy and help stabilize blood sugar levels. This can be particularly important for elderly clients, as fluctuations in blood sugar can contribute to irritability and mood swings. In contrast, other snack options like chocolate bars and potato chips might offer quick energy spikes but can lead to subsequent crashes in blood sugar levels, which might exacerbate mood swings rather than alleviate them. Fruit juice, while it does contain some vitamins, often has high sugar content that can also lead to similar effects as the previously mentioned options. Therefore, milk stands out as a more balanced choice that may have a positive impact on the client’s mood.