Clinical Nutritionist Practice Test

What can be a consequence of a sick person's higher nutrient and energy needs?

1. Lower protein requirements

2. Increased metabolic rate

3. Decreased need for carbohydrates

4. Reduced calorie intake

The correct answer is: Increased metabolic rate

A sick person often experiences increased metabolic demands due to the physiological stress of illness. This increased metabolic rate is a response to factors such as inflammation, infection, or injury, which require the body to mobilize additional energy and nutrients to support healing and immune function. When a person is ill, their body consumes more calories to support these processes, reflecting a higher energy demand than usual. As a result, there is a need for not only additional energy, but also increased amounts of macronutrients, including protein, to support tissue repair and the immune response. This heightened demand is particularly evident in conditions such as severe infections, trauma, and surgeries. In contrast, other options suggest reductions in requirements, which do not align with the physiological needs of someone who is sick. For instance, protein requirements typically increase rather than decrease, carbohydrates are necessary for energy, and calorie intake should also generally rise to meet the elevated needs rather than being reduced.