Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The term that best describes malnutrition characterized by the wasting of fat and muscle is marasmus. This condition typically arises from a severe deficiency of calories and protein, leading to significant weight loss and generalized muscle and fat wasting.

In marasmus, the body undergoes a catabolic process, breaking down its own fat and muscle stores to meet energy demands due to inadequate nutritional intake. This results in a notable decrease in both body mass and fat stores, which is a defining characteristic of this form of malnutrition.

While other conditions like kwashiorkor and cachexia may involve protein deficiencies or muscle wasting, they have distinct definitions. Kwashiorkor is primarily characterized by protein deficiency despite adequate caloric intake and often presents with edema and fatty liver. Cachexia, on the other hand, is a complex syndrome associated with underlying illness and involves both muscle wasting and metabolic changes, not solely due to malnutrition.

Thus, marasmus specifically points to the state of malnutrition where both fat and muscle wasting occur in response to a significant lack of caloric intake, making it the correct answer for this question.