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Part II Nutrition Assessment, Consequences, and Implications

TABLE 6.8 cont. Nutrition-Focused Physical Findings of Malnutrition Signs

Skin (cont.) Lack of fat under skin, cellophane appearance Bilateral edema Yellow colored

Cutaneous flushing, desquamation Body edema; round swollen face

Pallor, fatigue, depression, apathy

Gastrointestinal Anorexia, flatulence, diarrhea

Muscular System Weakness

Wasted appearance

Calf tenderness, absent knee jerks, foot and wrist drop Peripheral neuropathy, tingling, “pins and needles”

Muscle twitching, convulsions, tetany Muscle cramps Muscle pain

Skeletal System Demineralization of bone

Epiphyseal enlargement of leg and knee, bowed legs Bone tenderness

Nervous System Listlessness

Loss of position and vibratory sense, decrease and loss of ankle and knee reflexes, depression, inability to concentrate, defective memory, confabulation, delirium

Possible Nutrition-Related Causes

Protein-energy deficiency, vitamin C deficiency Protein-energy deficiency, vitamin C deficiency Beta-carotene excess, vitamin B-12 deficiency Niacin

Protein, thiamin deficiencies Iron, folate deficiencies

Vitamin B-12, folate deficiency

Phosphorus or potassium deficiency, vitamin C deficiency, vitamin D deficiency

Protein-energy deficiency Thiamin deficiency

Folate, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, phosphate, thiamine, vitamin B-12 deficiency

Magnesium or pyridoxine excess or deficiency; calcium, vitamin D deficiencies

Chloride decreased, sodium deficiency; calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, potassium deficiencies

Biotin, vitamin D deficiency

Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D deficiencies Vitamin D deficiency Vitamin D deficiency

Protein-energy deficiency Thiamin, pyridoxine, vitamin B-12 deficiencies

Seizures, memory impairment, and behavioral disturbances Magnesium, zinc deficiencies Peripheral neuropathy, dementia Dementia

Pyridoxine deficiency Niacin, vitamin B-12 deficiencies

Source: Reprinted with permission from Dietetics in Health Care Communities. DHCC Pocket Resource for Nutrition Assessment, 2013 Revision. Chicago, IL: Dietetics in Health Care Communities; 2013:129-132.