Question

Patient malnutrition is a very real and serious matter; it can lead to a worsening of the patient's condition, a longer hospital stay, or even be as serious as to contribute to patient death. There are a variety of diseases, conditions, or situations in which patient malnutrition may occur; the malnutrition may develop while in the hospital, but it can also develop outside of the hospital as well. Choose a disease, condition, or situation in which a patient is likely to develop malnutrition and describe the characteristics or details of it. Note how malnutrition might develop in a patient (this could be a result of treatments, financial issues, drug interactions, etc.) and possible consequences of the malnutrition. In addition, discuss how malnutrition may be prevented, managed, or reversed in the patient. Are there specific tests that can be done to determine the nutritional status of your patient?

Answer 1

The inadequate consumption of protein and energy asa result of primary dietary defiency or conditioned deficiency may cause loss of body mass and adipose tissue, resulting in protein energy or protein calorie malnutrition. The primary deficiency is more frequent due to socioeconomic factors limiting the quantity and quality of dietary intake, particularly prevalent in the developing countries of Africa, Asia and south america. The impact of deficiency is marked in infants and children. The spectrum of clinical syndromes produced as a result of protein energy malnutrition includes the following: kwashiorkor, marasmus.

Kwashiorkor:

The kwashiorkor is related to protein deficiency through calorie intake may be insufficient. It occurs in children between 6 months and 3 years of age. The clinical features of kwashiorkor include growth failure, wasting of muscles but preserved adipose tissues, odema (localised or generalised ), enlarged fatty liver, low serum proteins, anaemia. Flag sign is observed is these patients which means depigmented and pigmented alternate bands of light (hair) is seen.

It will lead to enlarged fatty liver, atrophy of different tissues and organs but subcutaneous fat preserved.

Prevention:

The nutritional deficiency may be primary due to either the lack of decreased amount of essential nutrients in diet. So, increase the diet with energy providing nutrients like proteins, fats and carbohydrates, vitamins ,minerals, water and some non essential nutrients.

Secondarily conditioned deficiency occuring as a result of the various factors such as interference in ingestion, absorption, excretion, or increased nutritional demand. So, take foods rich with nutrients. Try to add fruits to the diet.

Get vaccination regularly

Maintain hygienic conditions