On admission, a patient weighs 250 pounds. The weight is recorded as 256 pounds on the second inpatient day. Which condition will the nurse assess for in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This patient has gained 6 pounds in a 24-hour period. A weight gain of 5 pounds (2.3 kg) or more in a day indicates fluid retention problems, not nutritional intake. A weight loss is considered significant if the patient has lost more than 5% of body weight in a month or 10% in 6 months. A downward trend may indicate a reduction in nutritional reserves that may be caused by decreased intake such as anorexia.

On Admission, a Patient Weighs 250 Pounds