Which patient is at highest risk for severe negative nitrogen balance?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Negative nitrogen balance is increased by catabolism and by the use of amino acids to form stress proteins.In addition, burn wounds directly contribute to protein loss, because soluble proteins leak from the wound and proteolysis is activated.Because trauma is a sudden stress, catabolism is much greater than anabolism because the body has not had enough time to replenish the proteins lost.This dominance of catabolism results in excessive negative nitrogen balance and significant loss of skeletal muscle.Nitrogen loss through wounds can be large and create a greater need for increased protein intake.Catabolism is a protective mechanism that provides needed substrates for activation of the immune response to infection, such as in the postsepsis patient.

Which Patient Is at Highest Risk for Severe Negative Nitrogen