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A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition for a malabsorption disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication that the client's nutritional status is improving?

-Intake of fluid is less than output of urine over the past 2 days
-1kg (2.2 lb) weight gain over the past 2 days
-Blood glucose 206 mg/dL
-Prealbumin 13 mg/dL

User Wei Wu
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

A weight gain of 1kg (2.2 lb) over the past 2 days indicates that the client's nutritional status is improving following total parenteral nutrition for a malabsorption disorder. High blood glucose may be a side effect of parenteral nutrition rather than a direct indicator of nutritional status, and urine output exceeding fluid intake could suggest dehydration.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition for a malabsorption disorder. The nurse should identify that a weight gain over the past 2 days is an indication that the client's nutritional status is improving. Specifically, a 1kg (2.2 lb) weight gain is a positive sign. While weight gain can sometimes be associated with fluid retention, in the context of total parenteral nutrition and malabsorption disorders, it is more likely indicative of improved nutritional intake and protein-calorie malnutrition correction.

Prealbumin levels can also be a good indicator of nutritional status; however, a prealbumin level of 13 mg/dL might not be sufficient to indicate an improvement, depending on the reference range used by the lab. Meanwhile, a blood glucose of 206 mg/dL may indicate hyperglycemia which might be related to the high glucose content in the total parenteral nutrition and not necessarily a direct reflection of overall nutritional status. Additionally, if intake of fluid is less than the output of urine it could suggest dehydration rather than improved nutrition.

User Tom Busby
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