A patient presenting with abdominal distention, mouth lesions, and a 10% weight loss over the past 6 months most likely has which nutrition diagnosis?

The most likely nutrition diagnosis for a patient presenting with symptoms such as abdominal distention, mouth lesions, and significant weight loss is impaired nutrient utilization.

Impaired nutrient utilization refers to a situation where the body is unable to effectively absorb or metabolize the nutrients consumed, which can result in clinical symptoms like weight loss, digestive issues (such as abdominal distention), and even signs of nutrient deficiencies (which could explain mouth lesions). The presence of abdominal distention often indicates gastrointestinal issues affecting the absorption of nutrients or could signal a condition such as malabsorption. The lesions in the mouth suggest possible deficiencies that might arise due to the body's inability to utilize essential nutrients properly.

Other options, while they may seem relevant, do not specifically align with the provided symptoms. For example, inadequate dietary intake refers to not consuming enough food overall, whereas the patient's weight loss coupled with other symptoms suggests that the issue is more complex than just insufficient calories. Malnutrition could encompass a broader range of issues, including inadequate intake and impaired utilization, but the specific signs and symptoms in this case point more closely to impaired utilization as the primary diagnosis. Excessive calorie intake is not applicable since the patient is experiencing weight loss rather than weight gain.

In summary, impaired nutrient utilization