Answer 3 for DNP 810 Choose one disorder of malnutrition that is found in your clinical setting or community

Malnutrition among hospitalized patients remains a serious issue affecting more than 30 percent of hospitalized patients in the United States.  Malnutrition is associated with high mortality and morbidity, functional decline, prolonged hospital stays, and increased health care costs.  Post discharge, malnourished patients are also at risk for more frequent readmissions. Early identification and treatment of malnutrition are critical to prevent poor outcomes in hospitalized adult patients. The Joint Commission also now requires that hospitals screen for risk of malnutrition as part of the general admission process.

Iron deficiency causes anemia is one disorder of malnutrition that is found in our clinical setting or community.

Genetic and environmental influences: Iron deficiency anemia is more common in certain age groups.

Infants between 6 and 12 months, if only breast milk fed or are fed formula that is not fortified with iron.  Children between ages 1 and 2, especially if they drink a lot of cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is low in iron.  Teens, during growth spurts and Older adults, especially those over age 65.

Unhealthy environments- Low socioeconomic status and postpartum status, exposure to lead in the environment or water interferes with the body’s ability to make hemoglobin and can result in anemia.

Family history and genetics-Von Willebrand disease is an inherited bleeding disorder that affects the blood’s ability to clot.

Lifestyle habits: Vegetarian or vegan eating patterns, Frequent blood donation, Endurance activities and athletes.

The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia is 2 percent in adult men, 9 to 12 percent in non-Hispanic white women, and nearly 20 percent in black and Mexican-American women. Nine percent of patients older than 65 years with iron deficiency anemia have gastrointestinal cancer when evaluated.

The most accurate initial diagnostic test for IDA is the serum ferritin measurement. Serum ferritin values greater than 100 ng per mL (100 mcg per L) indicate adequate iron stores and a low likelihood of IDA.  Additional tests may be ordered to evaluate the levels of Complete Blood Count, iron, total iron-binding capacity, and/or transferrin.

Treatment includes, oral iron therapy,  eating iron-rich foods, iron supplements, intravenous iron therapy for mild to moderate iron-deficiency anemia, or red blood cell transfusion for severe iron-deficiency anemia.

The DNP nurse can be more prepared to offer preventive solutions for the causal agents or factors such as eating habits to avoid any complications. Effective therapeutic approaches can be implemented for these at risk patients.

AHRQ. (2020). Malnutrition in hospitalized adults. Retrieved from https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/malnutrition-hospitalized-adults/protocol

Iron deficiency anemia. (2007, March 1). Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2007/0301/p671.html#:~:text=The%20prevalence%20of%20iron%20deficiency,a%20gastrointestinal%20