NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

A nurse on an orthopedic unit is reviewing data for a client who sustained trauma in a motor vehicle crash. Which of the following values indicates the client is in a catabolic state (using protein faster than protein is synthesized)?

1. Blood albumin 3.5 g/dL

2. Blood prealbumin 15 mg/dL

3. BMI of 18.5

4. Negative nitrogen balance

The correct answer is: Negative nitrogen balance

In this case, the correct answer is D. Negative nitrogen balance indicates that the client is in a catabolic state, meaning the body is using protein faster than it is being synthesized. Nitrogen balance is a reflection of protein balance in the body, with a negative balance indicating a breakdown of body protein for energy. The other options do not directly indicate a catabolic state: - Option A, blood albumin of 3.5 g/dL, is a measure of a protein in the blood, but this value alone does not necessarily indicate a catabolic state. - Option B, blood prealbumin of 15 mg/dL, is also a measure of a protein status in the blood, but this value alone does not specifically indicate a catabolic state. - Option C, BMI of 18.5, is a measure of body mass index, which reflects weight in relation to height. While a low BMI may be associated with malnutrition, it does not directly indicate a catabolic state.