Patient Malnutrition

Patient malnutrition is a very real and serious matter; it can lead to a worsening of the patient's condition, a longer hospital stay, or even be as serious as to contribute to patient death. There are a variety of diseases, conditions, or situations in which patient malnutrition may occur; the malnutrition may develop while in the hospital, but it can also develop outside of the hospital as well. Choose a disease, condition, or situation in which a patient is likely to develop malnutrition and describe the characteristics or details of it. Note how malnutrition might develop in a patient (this could be a result of treatments, financial issues, drug interactions, etc.) and possible consequences of the malnutrition. In addition, discuss how malnutrition may be prevented, managed, or reversed in the patient. Are there specific tests that can be done to determine the nutritional status of your patient?