Ace the Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse Exam 2025 – Your Road to RN Mastery!

An early sign of malnutrition in a postoperative lung cancer patient can be indicated by a retinal-binding protein level of 2.0 mg/dL. Retinol-binding protein is a transporter for retinol (vitamin A) in the body, and its levels can reflect protein stores. A low level suggests that the body is not adequately maintaining protein synthesis, which is often a consequence of malnutrition.

In patients recovering from surgery, especially those with cancer, nutritional status is critical for healing and recovery. A low retinal-binding protein level can signal that the patient may not be receiving sufficient nutrients, which is important in monitoring their progress and planning for dietary interventions.

While dry, flaky skin and brittle nails can be associated with malnutrition, they are more general signs and do not specifically indicate the early biochemical markers. Similarly, a body mass index (BMI) of 20 is often considered within the normal range, specifically on the lower end, but it does not conclusively indicate malnutrition without considering other factors such as body composition and recent weight loss. An albumin level of 3.0 g/dL, while slightly low, may not reflect early malnutrition as patients can maintain serum albumin levels in the face of nutritional deficits until a more advanced