Definition: Intake of nutrients insufficient to meet metabolic needs.
- Loss of weight
- Lack of interest in food
- Pale conjunctiva and mucous membranes
- Poor muscle tone
- Amenorrhea
- Poor skin turgor
- Edema of extremities
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Weakness
- Constipation
- Anemias
Related Factors
- Inability to ingest food because of:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of appetite
- Energy level too low to meet own nutritional needs
- Regression to lower level of development
- Ideas of self-destruction
Goals
- Client will gain 2 pounds per week for the next 3 weeks.
- Client will exhibit no signs or symptoms of malnutrition by time of discharge from treatment (e.g., electrolytes and blood counts will be within normal limits; a steady weight gain will be demonstrated; constipation will be corrected; client will exhibit increased energy in participation in activities).