What does a nitrogen balance study indicate if a patient consumed 10 grams of protein and released 6 grams of nitrogen?

A nitrogen balance study assesses the overall nitrogen status of an individual, which is crucial in understanding protein metabolism. In this scenario, a patient consumed 10 grams of protein, which translates to approximately 1.6 grams of nitrogen (since protein contains about 16% nitrogen). The patient then released 6 grams of nitrogen.

To determine the nitrogen balance, you subtract the amount of nitrogen lost through excretion from the amount consumed. In this case, the calculation would be as follows:

1. Nitrogen consumed: 10 grams of protein yields about 1.6 grams of nitrogen.

2. Nitrogen excreted: 6 grams of nitrogen.

The resulting balance is:

Nitrogen intake (1.6 grams) - Nitrogen output (6 grams) = -4.4 grams.

This negative value indicates a negative nitrogen balance, signifying that the patient is losing more nitrogen than is being consumed. A negative nitrogen balance often suggests that the body is in a state of catabolism, meaning it is breaking down proteins for energy or other functions, which can be indicative of various conditions such as malnutrition, severe illness, or stress.

Overall, the conclusion that this study indicates a negative nitrogen balance is supported by this calculation and