Infection and the malnourished patient.

The synergistic effects of infection and malnutrition represent a significant challenge to the critical care nurse. When diet does not adequately meet energy needs, the calorie deficiency must be made up from body fuel reserves. The status of these stores can be assessed by easily performed clinical and laboratory measurements. If malnutrition occurs, the capacity of the patient to resist the occurrence and consequences of infection lessens. With the advent and application of sound enteral and parenteral feeding techniques, however, it has become possible to break the cycle of malnutrition and infection.