Mr. Lew was transported to the emergency room (ER) by emergency transport. City police officers called an ambulance after finding Mr. Lew lying in an alley with apparent unconsciousness. The emergency medical team started an intravenous (IV), and upon arriving at the ER, Mr. Lew had regained consciousness but is now unconscious again. Physical data collected included the following:

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Physical appearance is unkempt and dirty.

Odor suggests consumption of alcohol is likely.

T 96, P 124, R 36, B/P 90/40

Very emaciated appearance

Legs and arms very dry and flaky

Mottled purplish areas to lower extremities

Edema 3+ in ankles and lower legs

Abdomen tight and distended

Facial color and nail beds pale

No response to painful or verbal stimuli

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After physician examination, Mr. Lew was admitted to the hospital with malnutrition, R/O pancreatitis, and cirrhosis of the liver due to ETOH abuse.

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Describe the role alcohol has played in Mr. Lew's nutritional status.


Alcohol produces euphoria that results in depressed appetite and impacts the diet of a drinker. People afflicted in this manner tend to eat very little. The alcohol is rich in calories and energy; however, alcohol provides empty calories. The more one drinks, the less food is eaten. Even when food is eaten, the alcohol interferes with the body's ingestion, digestion, absorption, metabolism, and excretion of nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies are an inevitable result of alcoholism.?

Nutritional Science

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