Part 25: Nutritional Assessment Intro

What is the most challenging aspect of patient care?

nutrition

term. Anorexia

def. loss of appetite resulting in weight loss

3 reasons why we tell patients not to lose weight

1. decreases physical strength

2. decreases respiratory rate

3. decreases resistance to infection

A patient may require an increase in the following (state why)

1. calories for tissue repair

2. Protein for tissue repair & wound healing

3. Carbohydrates to meet increased metabolic demands

T/F: It has not been disproved that a low fat diet can decrease the risk of breast cancer

True

1. Normal body fat

2. Normal body fat for men

3. Normal body fat for women

1. 30%

2. 25-30%

3. 30-35%

term. Cachexia

def. a state of ill health, wasting away

Cachexia is characterized by

1. anorexia

2. anemia

3. dehydration

4. electrolyte loss

How does cancer biologically promote weight loss?

1. ↓ nutrient intake (anorexia)

2. Changes metabolism

   1. ↑ BMR

   2. Cori Cycle

   3. Cancer robs normal tissues of vital nutrients (as well as the body’s ability to use nutrients).

3. Can cause mechanical interference with pt’s ability to eat

4. ↓ protein synthesis

what is the cori cycle?

an energy wasteful process in which glucose is converted into lactose, then back to glucose in the liver/kidney

How can a tumor cause mechanical interference with the patient’s ability to eat?

esophageal cancer

How does cancer decrease protein synthesis?

The body cannot use insulin appropriately, instead the body uses skeletal muscles as a protein source = muscle wasting, protein loss and negative nitrogen

How does stress affect metabolism?

↑ stress = ↑ metabolism

Why should patients not gain weight?

it feeds the tumor

True or False: it is generally recommended to starve the tumor

false, while tumor growth is slowed, starving the tumor compromises patient health way to much