Evaluate the following 24-hour urine data: 24-hour urinary nitrogen for 12/20: 18.4 grams. By using the daily input/output record for 12/20 that records the amount of PN received, calculate Mr. Page's nitrogen balance on 12/20

How would you interpret this information? Should you be concerned? Are there problems with the accuracy of nitrogen balance studies? Explain.


Nitrogen balance = N intake (g/24 hr) – (urinary N [g/24 hr] + 3 g/24 hr)
N intake: 1600 mL TPN x 0.0425 g protein/cc = 68 g protein
68 ÷ 6.25 = 10.88 g nitrogen intake
10.88 – (18.4 + 3) = -10.5 g
• Mr. Page is in negative nitrogen balance, indicating he continues to be catabolic.
• He has only been on nutritional support for 4 days and it will likely take much longer to reverse his catabolic state.
• It would be wise to repeat the nitrogen balance to ensure the amount of catabolism is decreasing.
• Any test that relies on the collection of urine over a 24-hour period is at risk for inaccuracies.
• Nitrogen balance studies in this situation, however, are much easier because the amount of nitrogen in the parenteral nutrition is known and his urine is being collected via a catheter, which decreases the risk of losses.

Nutritional Science

You might also like to view...

Which of the following is the largest US national food recovery program?

a. Feeding America b. Last Minute Market c. Think.Eat.Save d. Food Waste Reduction Alliance e. We CAN

Nutritional Science

When nutrition services are integrated into health care and diet and nutritional status change, what outcome is most likely to occur?

a. Blood pressure in hypertensive patients is lowered. b. The prevalence of hemophilia is reduced. c. Instances of premature infant delivery is reduced. d. Patients report greater satisfaction in their personal relationships.

Nutritional Science

Which food assistance program, administered by the USDA, provides low-income older adults with coupons that can be exchanged for fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs at community-supported markets and roadside stands?

a. Feeding America b. Meals on Wheels c. Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program d. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program e. The Hunger Project

Nutritional Science

Recent research has studied the effect of which two hormones on the regulation of appetite and fat storage?

a. estrogen and adiponectin b. ghrelin and amylin c. ghrelin and leptin d. insulin and estrogen

Nutritional Science