A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old patient who is cared for at home by his 79-year-old wife. Which data indicate this patient has malnutrition? (Select all that apply.)
A) Body mass index (BMI) of 17
B) Waist-to-hip ratio of 1.0
C) Weight loss of 6% since last month's visit
D) Prealbumin level of 16 mg/dl
E) Hematocrit level of 50%
F) Hemoglobin level of 20 g/dl

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is the normal range, and this patient is below normal. Severe weight loss is a more than 2% weight change over 1 week. The expected hemoglobin for a man is 14 to 18 g/dl. These values may also indicate dehydration. Waist-to-hip ratio of 1.0 is an expected value for men. The expected level for prealbumin is 15 to 36 mg/dl. This hematocrit level is within normal limits.

A Nurse Is Assessing an 80-Year-Old Patient Who Is Cared