Nursing Assessment for Kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition that occurs when there is not enough protein in the diet.

Causes
Kwashiorkor is most common in areas where there is :

Famine
Limited food supply
Low levels of education (when people do not understand how to eat a proper diet)

This disease is more common in very poor countries. It often occurs during a drought or other natural disaster, or during political unrest. These conditions are responsible for a lack of food, which leads to malnutrition.

Kwashiorkor is very rare in children in the United States. There are only isolated cases. However, one government estimate suggests that as many as 50% of elderly people in nursing homes in the United States do not get enough protein in their diet.

When kwashiorkor does occur in the United States, it is usually a sign of child abuse and severe neglect.

Nursing Assessment for Kwashiorkor

1. Patient's identity:

Name, address, age, gender, address and so on.

2. The main complaint

Kwashiorkor: the mother said her son experienced swelling in the feet and hands, the condition is weak and not eating, weight loss etc..

3. Medical History;

History of present illness
- When complaints began to be felt
- Genesis how long.
- Is there a weight loss
- How appetite patients
- How diet
- Was ever received treatment, where, by whom, when, type of medicine.

Patterns of disease before
- Did the patient had been suffering from such diseases is now

Family history of disease
- Are family members of patients had suffered from diseases related to malnutrition or lack of protein.

History of social ills
- Assumption one particular type of food.
- Are patients' needs are met.
- How neighborhoods patients
- How do socio-economic situation of the family.

Spiritual History
- Absence of confidence that prohibit certain foods.

Physical Examination

1. Inspection:

Include observation of systemic conditions of patients with respect to the nutritional status of patients include:
General appearance of patients showed a nutrient or nutritional status of patients.
In kwashiorkor, whether there is edema, hair loss, weight decreased, the face like the moon.

2. palpation