MALNUTRITION

MALNUTRITION

1. Potential Nursing Diagnoses

   • Imbalanced nutrition, feeding self-care deficit, deficient fluid volume, risk for impair skin integrity, noncompliance

2. Contributing Factors

   • Socioeconomic factors, physical illness, incomplete diets, drug-nutrient interactions, dementia, depression, chronic alcoholism, excessive dieting to lose weight, swallowing disorders, decreased mobility, nutrient losses, extreme need for nutrients, no oral intake

3. Clinical Manifestations

   • Dry and scaly skin, brittle nails, rashes, hair loss, crusting and ulcerations in mouth, changes in tongue, decreased muscle mass and weakness, mental changes such as confusion and irritability, and also fatigue

4. Nursing Interventions

   • Health promotion, implement appropriate interventions to meet the patient's nutritional needs, identify risk factors, help patient cope with stress, make sure environment is conducive to eating, good oral health and hand hygiene, appetite stimulants, educate on cause of malnourishment, help explain any instructions from physician and dietitian

5. Pathophysiology

   • A healthy body will use carbohydrates for energy, when these are gone, the body turns to protein and will convert it to glucose for energy, then the body will begin to use fat, and after fat stores are gone, the body will use visceral and body proteins which includes those in the internal organs and plasma

6. Diagnostic Studies

   • Best diagnosed using body composition, thorough weight loss history, nutrient and food intake, and measuring the patient's functional status; can also take a dietary history, height, weight, vital signs, serum albumin, serum electrolyte levels, and anthropometric measurements