What it means
A wasting state that goes beyond ordinary weight loss: the body breaks down muscle as well as fat, and eating more does not fully reverse it. It is seen in advanced cancer, heart failure, COPD, kidney disease and AIDS. The client looks thin and hollow-cheeked, tires easily and loses strength.
For the nurse
Weigh the client regularly, offer small, frequent, high-calorie and high-protein meals the client likes, and involve the dietitian. Protect the skin over bony areas, which has little padding.
At a glance
| Spanish | caquexia |
|---|---|
| Also written | cachectic |
Related terms
malnutrition
Poor nutrition from too little, too much or the wrong balance of nutrients.
calorie
A unit that measures the energy in food and the energy the body uses.
bony prominence
A place where a bone lies close under the skin with little fat or muscle over it, such as the heel or tailbone.