Journal of the American College of Nutrition
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With both enteral and parenteral feedings, the amount of nutrients required depends on the degree of nutritional depletion, level of hypermetabolism, and the phase of the patient's response to illness or injury. Protein requirements are significantly increased in the critically ill. In skeletal trauma, energy needs are increased approximately 25%, in sepsis, 50%, and in severe burns, 75-100%. ⋯ In the hypoalbunemic patient with concomitant stress, nitrogen retention will be limited until the stress, i.e. acute injury or infection, is relieved. Nitrogen (g):calorie (kcal) intake will average 1:80. During therapy, nutritional assessment parameters must be measured periodically to evaluate the effectiveness of the nutritional regime.