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A nurse in the emergency department (ED) is caring for a client.

Click to highlight the findings that indicate the client is malnourished. To deselect a finding, click on the finding again.

Nurses' Notes
1100:
Client arrives to ED and reports nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for 3 days. Client is febrile.
1110:
Provider at bedside; prescriptions received.
1115:
IV initiated to right arm with 20-gauge catheter. Acetaminophen and metoclopramide administered.
1200:
Client appears fatigued, with no energy. Hair is thin and sparse. Cachectic, with flaccid muscle tone. Oriented x 3, able to move all extremities. Tachycardia, edema to lower extremities. Respirations unlabored, chest clear. Bowel sounds x 4 hyperactive, abdomen distended. Reports no difficulty with urination. Skin dry and scaly with bruises on extremities.

Medication Administration Record
1115:
Acetaminophen 650 mg rectal every 6 hr PRN temperature greater than 38.3° C (101° F)
Metoclopramide 10 mg IV every 6 hr PRN nausea/vomiting

Vital Signs
1100:
Temperature 39.2° C (102.6° F), Pulse rate 118/min, Respiratory rate 18/min, Blood pressure 92/68 mm Hg, Oxygen saturation 95%, Weight 44.9 kg (99 lb), BMI 17


A. Cachectic, with flaccid muscle tone.
B. Skin dry and scaly with bruises on extremities.
C. Oriented x 3, able to move all extremities.
D. Pulse rate 118/min
E. Respiratory rate 18/min
F. Abdomen distended
G. Temperature 39.2 degrees C (102.6 degrees F)
H. BMI 17

User Roborourke
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1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

The findings that indicate the client is malnourished include cachectic appearance, dry and scaly skin with bruises, and a BMI of 17.

Step-by-step explanation:

The findings that indicate the client is malnourished are:

  • Cachectic, with flaccid muscle tone. Cachexia refers to severe muscle wasting and weight loss, which can occur in malnourished individuals.
  • Skin dry and scaly with bruises on extremities. Dry and scaly skin can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies, and bruises may indicate poor clotting factors due to malnutrition.
  • BMI 17. A BMI of 17 is considered underweight and can be indicative of malnutrition.
User Jamal Ashraf
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8.7k points