Authors

  1. Kaliszewski, Elizabeth RD, LD
  2. Parker, Anna DCN, MS, RD, CDE, CCRC

Abstract

Individuals with alcoholic liver cirrhosis are at risk for developing protein calorie malnutrition and often experience concurrent micronutrient deficiencies. Treatment of liver cirrhosis not only requires medical attention via diuretic therapy, fluid management through paracenteses, and routine esophagogastroduodenoscopies but also requires ample attention to nutrition status and nutrition intervention. Malnutrition is often observed in this patient population due to metabolic abnormalities as well as appetite cessation associated with historical alcohol abuse and adverse gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain and loose stools. This case study presents nutrition management of a severely malnourished cirrhotic patient in an acute hospital setting.