Reflective Questions for Ricky’s Case

1. Additional Assessment Information:

• Dietary History:
  • Typical daily intake of food and beverages
  • Specific foods and textures Ricky prefers or avoids
  • Meal schedule and portion sizes
  • Use of dietary supplements
• Developmental History:
  • Growth charts and recent weight gain patterns
  • Meeting developmental milestones for his age
  • Any past diagnoses or concerns about feeding difficulties
• Social History:
  • Daycare or preschool attendance and meal routines there (if applicable)
  • Exposure to other children’s eating habits
  • Family history of eating disorders or picky eating

2. Exploring the Issue with the Mother:

Open-ended questions:

• “Can you tell me more about the challenges you face with Ricky’s eating?”
• “What are some things you’ve tried that have worked well or not so well?”
• “How do mealtimes typically go in your household?”

Specific questions:

• “Does Ricky seem interested in food during meal preparation?”
• “Are there any physical complaints Ricky has that might be related to eating?”
• “How does your stress level from work or caring for two children impact mealtimes?”

Exploring frustration:

• “It sounds like mealtimes can be frustrating. Can you tell me more about how you feel during these conflicts?”
• “What kind of support do you think might be helpful in managing mealtimes?”

3. Distance of Extended Family:

The distance of the extended family may influence their approach to health promotion in a few ways:

• Limited access to childcare or support with meal preparation.
• Fewer opportunities for Ricky to observe positive eating habits from other adults or children.
• Less frequent advice or guidance from extended family on feeding practices.

4. Factors to Consider for Malnourishment:

• Weight and growth patterns: Is Ricky falling below expected weight for his age and height?
• Dietary history: Is his current diet providing adequate calories and nutrients for growth and development?
• Energy levels: Does Ricky seem lethargic or have difficulty keeping up with activities?
• Physical signs: Does Ricky have dry skin, brittle hair, or muscle wasting?

Additionally:

• Laboratory tests might be considered to rule out any underlying medical conditions affecting appetite or nutrient absorption.

By gathering this additional information and exploring the situation further with Ricky’s mother, the healthcare provider can determine the cause of Ricky’s picky eating and develop a plan to address it. The plan might involve dietary modifications, feeding strategies, or even referral to a feeding therapist if needed.