EMILLYCHARLOTTE 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YAER
©2024 EMILLYCHARLOTTE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH SEPTEMBER 2024
ASPEN Malnutrition Exam Study Guide
6 characteristics for malnutrition diagnosis - Answer✔✔-Insufficient energy intake,
weight loss, loss of muscle mass, subcutaneous fat loss, fluid accumulation, hand grip
strength
Dx if inflammation is present - Answer✔✔-Mild or moderate- chronic disease related
malnutrition; severe- acute disease or injury related malnutrition
Dx is inflammation not present - Answer✔✔-Starvation related malnutrition
Pre albumin and albumin as markers of inflammation - Answer✔✔-Acute phase
proteins- reflect inflammatory response rather than poor nutrition; do not predict weight
loss, calorie restriction or nitrogen balance; will not respond to feeding interventions
Physical exam/clinical signs - Answer✔✔-Weight loss/ gain, fluid retention, loss of
muscle or fat, macro/micronutrient deficiencies
Inflammation: fever, hypothermia, systemic inflammation (tachycardia, hyperglycemia)
Anthropometric data - Answer✔✔-Unintended weight loss; measure weight on
admission and monitor frequently
Lab data - Answer✔✔-Indicators of inflammatory response (albumin/ prealbumin)
interpret with caution
Elevated CRP, WBC, blood glucose levels
Negative nitrogen balance and elevated REE support systemic inflammatory response
1/4
©2024 EMILLYCHARLOTTE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FIRST PUBLISH SEPTEMBER 2024
ASPEN Malnutrition Exam Study Guide
6 characteristics for malnutrition diagnosis - Answer✔✔-Insufficient energy intake,
weight loss, loss of muscle mass, subcutaneous fat loss, fluid accumulation, hand grip
strength
Dx if inflammation is present - Answer✔✔-Mild or moderate- chronic disease related
malnutrition; severe- acute disease or injury related malnutrition
Dx is inflammation not present - Answer✔✔-Starvation related malnutrition
Pre albumin and albumin as markers of inflammation - Answer✔✔-Acute phase
proteins- reflect inflammatory response rather than poor nutrition; do not predict weight
loss, calorie restriction or nitrogen balance; will not respond to feeding interventions
Physical exam/clinical signs - Answer✔✔-Weight loss/ gain, fluid retention, loss of
muscle or fat, macro/micronutrient deficiencies
Inflammation: fever, hypothermia, systemic inflammation (tachycardia, hyperglycemia)
Anthropometric data - Answer✔✔-Unintended weight loss; measure weight on
admission and monitor frequently
Lab data - Answer✔✔-Indicators of inflammatory response (albumin/ prealbumin)
interpret with caution
Elevated CRP, WBC, blood glucose levels
Negative nitrogen balance and elevated REE support systemic inflammatory response
1/4
