NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

A school nurse is teaching a high school health class about the possible causes of negative nitrogen balance. Which of the following causes should the nurse include in the teaching?

1. Adolescence, pregnancy, and illness

2. Illness, trauma, and malnutrition

3. Pregnancy, malnutrition, and trauma

4. Adolescence, trauma, and illness

The correct answer is: Illness, trauma, and malnutrition

Negative nitrogen balance occurs when the body is breaking down more protein than it is synthesizing. Illness, trauma, and malnutrition are significant causes of negative nitrogen balance. Illness can increase the body's need for protein as it works to heal and repair itself. Trauma and malnutrition can also lead to an increase in protein breakdown as the body tries to provide necessary nutrients for healing and functioning properly. In contrast, the other options do not align with known causes of negative nitrogen balance.