A condition in which there is an inadequate consumption, poor absorption or excessive loss of nutrients is ca… - DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Medium

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Malnutrition is a broad term for any nutritional imbalance, which can be a deficiency or an excess.
The question describes the three main causes of nutrient deficiency: inadequate intake ('inadequate consumption'), problems with digestion ('poor absorption'), and increased needs or losses ('excessive loss').
According to pathology and nutrition textbooks, these causes define the condition of malnutrition, particularly secondary malnutrition.
While these causes lead to undernutrition, 'Malnutrition' is the correct overarching diagnostic term for the condition described.

Option B: This is too specific. Undernutrition is a type or form of malnutrition, representing the deficiency state. The question asks for the name of the condition defined by its causes, which is the broader term 'Malnutrition'.
Option C: This describes the opposite condition. 'Excess nutrition' means taking in too many nutrients, which contradicts the question's description of inadequate intake, poor absorption, and loss.
Option D: This is a synonym for 'Excess nutrition' and is also incorrect. It refers to an excess intake of nutrients, not a deficiency.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definitions of Nutritional Status as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are responsible for nutritional screening on admission to identify patients at risk for malnutrition using tools like the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST).
Identifying the cause of malnutrition is critical for planning nursing interventions, which may include collaborating with dietitians for specialized diets, administering nutritional supplements, or managing symptoms like diarrhea that cause nutrient loss.
What if? If a patient has a chronic disease like Crohn's disease, they are at high risk for secondary malnutrition due to poor absorption and excessive loss of nutrients, even if their food consumption is adequate. The nursing priority shifts from encouraging intake to managing the disease and providing nutrients in a form the body can absorb (e.g., parenteral nutrition).

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the keywords in the question: 'inadequate consumption', 'poor absorption', 'excessive loss'. Recognize that these all lead to a state of nutrient deficiency.
Next, evaluate the options. 'Excess nutrition' and 'Over nutrition' are opposites of a deficiency state and can be eliminated immediately.
The choice is between 'Malnutrition' and 'Under nutrition'. Consider the hierarchy of these terms.
Recall the standard definitions. 'Malnutrition' is the broad, umbrella term for any nutritional imbalance (deficiency or excess). 'Under nutrition' is a specific type of malnutrition.
The question provides a classic textbook definition of the causes of malnutrition. Therefore, select the broader, more encompassing term that is defined by these causes.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definitions of Nutritional Status
Stem keywords: inadequate consumption, poor absorption, excessive loss, nutrients
Lead-in keywords: is called

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