An older adult's unexplained weight loss of 15 pounds over the past 3 months has prompted a thorough diagnostic workup. What is the nurse's rationale for prioritizing biochemical assessment when appraising a person's nutritional status?
A) It identifies abnormalities in the chemical structure of nutrients.
B) It predicts abnormal utilization of nutrients.
C) It reflects the tissue level of a given nutrient.
D) It predicts metabolic abnormalities in nutritional intake.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Biochemical assessment reflects both the tissue level of a given nutrient and any abnormality of metabolism in the utilization of nutrients. It does not focus on abnormalities in the chemical structure of nutrients. Biochemical assessment is not predictive.
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