Surgery>>>>>Surgical Considerations in the Elderly
Question 6#

Determination of an elderly patient's nutritional status and reversal of malnutrition is important to prevent all of the following complications EXCEPT:

A. Poor wound healing
B. Increased nosocomial infections
C. Delayed functional recovery
D. Adverse drug reactions

Correct Answer is D

Comment:

Poor nutritional status in elderly patients is common. It is estimated that 9 to 15% of patients older than 65 years are malnourished in the outpatient setting, and this increases to 12 to 50% in the acute hospital setting, and 25 to 60% in the chronically institutionalized. A formal nutritional assessment and preoperative nutritional repletion, if needed, can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. The incidence of postoperative complications is increased in patients with an albumin level <3.5 g/L.