For malnutrition dx, what is the nonsevere PO intake criterion?

• A. < 75% of estimated energy requirements for more than 3 months
• B. < 50% for more than 1 month
• C. < 90% for more than 6 months
• D. < 60% for more than 2 weeks

Answer: (A)

The question tests how reduced oral intake is used as an etiologic criterion for malnutrition and where nonsevere falls on the scale. Nonsevere PO intake means a moderate, ongoing underconsumption, specifically less than 75% of estimated energy requirements sustained for more than three months. This reflects a persistent, but not drastic, intake shortfall that contributes to malnutrition without the more extreme depletion seen in severe cases. The other options describe either a more drastic reduction (less than 50% for over a month) or an insufficiently severe/too-short change (less than 60% for two weeks, or 90% for six months, which isn’t reduced at all), so they don’t fit the nonsevere threshold.