Reference no: EM132437159
Mr. Heath, 44, is a long-distance trucker brought into the emergency department at around 11 pm in critical condition after his truck, carrying flammable liquid, jack-knifed in the middle of the interstate in a metropolitan area to avoid a drunk driver.
The drunk driver was uninjured, but Mr. Heath, whose truck rolled over twice down a steep embankment before catching fire, is in critical condition with third-degree burns.
In the days that follow, Mr. Heath continues to survive and stabilizes somewhat but is kept heavily sedated in the intensive care unit (ICU) because of the intense pain from severe burns. The ICU staff works tirelessly to fight fever and infection.
Today Mr. Heath's nurse, the registered dietitian (RD), and the dietary manager meet to discuss his nutritional status.
1. Considering that Mr. Heath is critically ill, what is the best way to estimate his daily kilocalorie needs?