What is a respiratory quotient? How is this figure related to ...

[Yi-Chen]

What is a respiratory quotient? How is this figure related to nutritional intake and respiratory status?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Prior to being diagnosed with GERD, Mrs. Rodriguez weighed 145. Calculate UBW and BMI. Which of these is the most pertinent in identifying the patient's nutrition risk? Why?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[dantucker]

Answer to Question 1

 The respiratory quotient is the ratio of consumed oxygen to the amount of carbon dioxide expired during nutrient metabolism.
 For an individual to metabolize carbohydrate, protein, or fat, a certain amount of oxygen must be consumed to support metabolism and a certain amount of carbon dioxide is produced during that metabolism.
 RQ of 0.7-0.8 means a higher proportion of energy is coming from lipids and 0.9-1.0 means that carbohydrate metabolism is mostly supporting energy needs. In between, those values indicates a mix with some protein being metabolized, too.
 Carbohydrate has the higher RQ, which means it requires more oxygen for metabolism and produces more carbon dioxide.
 Additionally, if a patient is overfed, then excessive caloric intake is converted to fat for storage.
 This conversion also produces an excessive amount of carbon dioxide and thus has a higher RQ.
 The respiratory system normally regulates CO2 levels, but if the system is compromised, as in respiratory disease, the patient can develop an acid-base imbalance.

Answer to Question 2

 UBW: 76
 BMI: 20.2
 UBW is the most pertinent because this identifies her nutritional risk.
 This patient has lost 24 of her usual body weight.
 This places her at significant nutritional risk.
 Her BMI is within the normal range but certainly at the lower end of the normal range.

[Yi-Chen]

Excellent

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