Additional reading
- Kirkland LL et al. Nutrition in the Hospitalized Patient. J Hosp Med. 2013 Jan;8(1):52-8.
- McClave SA et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Nutrition Therapy in the Adult Hospitalized Patient. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016 Mar;111(3):315-334.
Quiz: Recognizing Malnutrition
Which of the following is not a criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition?
A. Weight loss
B. Insufficient energy intake
C. Prealbumin
D. Diminished handgrip strength
Answer: C. Prealbumin. Laboratory indicators of nutrition, such as albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin, and markers of infection or inflammation are not recommended for the determination of nutritional status. Because negative acute-phase reactants, they instead can be used as surrogate markers of nutritional risk and degree of inflammation