The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with malnutrition. Which finding supports the medical diagnosis?Reference Range: Body Mass Index (BMI) (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m3]
Explanation & Rationale
A. Decrease in the appetite. While a decreased appetite can contribute to malnutrition, it is a symptom rather than a definitive indicator of the current nutritional status. Other factors can lead to decreased appetite, and it does not directly quantify malnutrition.B. Weight of 227 lb (103 kg). This weight alone does not provide information about malnutrition. Without knowing the client's height, the BMI, or body composition, this information is not useful for diagnosing malnutrition.C. Dry mucosal membranes. Dry mucosal membranes can be a sign of dehydration or other conditions but are not specific to malnutrition.D. Body mass index (BMI) of 17 kg/m².A BMI of 17 kg/m² is below the normal range (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²) and directly indicates undernutrition, supporting the diagnosis of malnutrition.