Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

If an older patient weighing 143 pounds needs to intake protein for healing, how much protein should they consume daily?

1. 65 mg

2. 78 mg

3. 90 mg

4. 120 mg

The correct answer is: 78 mg

To determine the appropriate daily protein intake for an older patient needing protein for healing, it's essential to consider the general recommendations for protein consumption based on body weight and activity level, especially during recovery periods. Typically, older adults require more protein than younger individuals to maintain muscle mass and support healing. A common recommendation for older adults is about 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. To convert the weight from pounds to kilograms, you divide by 2.2. For a patient weighing 143 pounds, this equates to approximately 65 kilograms (143 ÷ 2.2). If we apply the lower end of the protein recommendation (1.0 grams per kg), the patient would need around 65 grams of protein daily. As recovery from an injury or surgery often necessitates increased protein intake, the upper limit of this range (1.2 grams per kg) would provide a guideline of approximately 78 grams per day. Thus, for an older patient who needs extra support for healing, aiming for about 78 grams of protein daily aligns well with the established nutritional guidelines. This is why the correct answer aligns with the recommended protein intake of 78 grams.