A 12-year-old with leukemia will be taking vincristine. The nurse should encourage the child to eat what kind of diet?

A 12-year-old with leukemia will be taking vincristine. The nurse should encourage the child to eat what kind of diet?

• A. High-residue
• B. Low-residue
• C. Low-fat
• D. High-calorie

Answer: (A)

The important idea is preventing constipation in a child receiving vincristine by promoting a high-fiber, high-residue diet. Vincristine often slows gastrointestinal motility, leading to constipation. A diet rich in fiber—think fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes—adds bulk to stool and stimulates peristalsis, helping stools move more easily through the bowel. Pair this with adequate fluids to keep stools soft and easier to pass. Why this fits best: increasing dietary fiber directly targets the common chemo-related issue of constipation from vincristine, whereas low-fiber (low-residue) would worsen constipation, and focusing on fat or calories doesn’t specifically address bowel motility.

The important idea is preventing constipation in a child receiving vincristine by promoting a high-fiber, high-residue diet. Vincristine often slows gastrointestinal motility, leading to constipation. A diet rich in fiber—think fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes—adds bulk to stool and stimulates peristalsis, helping stools move more easily through the bowel. Pair this with adequate fluids to keep stools soft and easier to pass.

Why this fits best: increasing dietary fiber directly targets the common chemo-related issue of constipation from vincristine, whereas low-fiber (low-residue) would worsen constipation, and focusing on fat or calories doesn’t specifically address bowel motility.