The nurse caring for the critical care patient who is mildly stressed knows that which of the following are caloric requirements for their patient

A. 40 kcal/kg/day: Caloric needs at this level are generally reserved for patients with severe stress, extensive trauma, burns, or hypermetabolic states. Providing excessive calories to a mildly stressed patient increases the risk of overfeeding, hyperglycemia, and increased carbon dioxide production. B. 25 kcal/kg/day: This level is often appropriate for unstressed or minimally stressed hospitalized adults. It may be insufficient to meet the increased metabolic demands associated with even mild physiologic stress in critical care settings. Inadequate intake can contribute to negative nitrogen balance and delayed recovery. C. 25–30 kcal/kg/day: Mildly stressed critically ill patients typically require moderate increases in caloric intake to support metabolic demands and healing. This range helps maintain energy balance while minimizing complications associated with overfeeding. D. 30–35 kcal/kg/day: This caloric range is more appropriate for patients experiencing moderate to severe stress, such as sepsis or major surgery. For a mildly stressed patient, this level may exceed metabolic needs. Higher caloric delivery can increase metabolic burden without added benefit.