Explanation of Marasmus:

	We believe that this Pt. is suffering from Marasmus. This patient below 
the 5th percentile for weight according to the Contemporary Nutrition Support 
Practice Manual. She is at the 5th percentile for TSF and UAFA according to the 
Contemporary Nutrition Support Practice. The patient is at the standard for UAMA 
according to Hospital Malnutrition and How to Assess the Nutritional Status of a 
patient. These values show that there is decreased fat with intact muscle which 
points to a diagnosis of Marasmus. 	According to Krause's Therapeutic book, the 
condition of Alzheimer's can cause decreased food and fluid intake due to 
impaired hunger / thirst perception and forgetfulness. This leads to overall 
malnutrition and dehydration. The clinical aspects of dehydration can exacerbate 
the problems of food and fluid intake already caused by Alzheimer's. Clinical 
signs of dehydration include increased confusion, lethargy, falling episodes and 
poor skin turgor. At admission, the patient had BUN levels of 40 mg/dL and serum 
sodium was 151 mEq/L. Elevated BUN and serum sodium also point toward clinical 
dehydration.