Nursing and Nutrition Term Paper

Bennie is a well-nourished seven years old who develops the flu and has a fever of 101 degrees over the period of two days. Influenza could temporarily affect Bennie's nutritional status in several important ways. First, the diarrhoea and vomiting associated with influenza alone often result in dehydration. In addition, sweat loss from the fever would increase the degree of dehydration. As such, it would be important to ensure that Bennie receives adequate water and replacement electrolytes to compensate for those lost during the course of the influenza.

Second, Bennie's diarrhoea and vomiting would also affect his ability to absorb new nutrients.In addition, fever increases the body's caloric requirements. Given that Bennie is a well-nourished child, this temporary discrepancy between the calories required and calories absorbed would not likely seriously affect his overall health. As such, there is no pressing need to attempt to replace the nutrients lost during the influenza.

Third, the fever accompanying influenza commonly results in serious loss of tissue proteins. Again, given Bennie's overall good nutrition status prior to the development of influenza, a temporary loss of tissue proteins will likely not have a serious effect on his overall health.

The concerns over Bennie's….....