A nurse is caring for a patient with a postsurgical wound. When planning care, which goal will be the priority?

A) Reduce dependent nitrogen balance.
B) Maintain negative nitrogen balance.
C) Promote positive nitrogen balance.
D) Facilitate neutral nitrogen balance.

When intake of nitrogen is greater than output, the body is in positive nitrogen balance. Positive nitrogen balance is required for growth, normal pregnancy, maintenance of lean muscle mass and vital organs, and wound healing. Negative nitrogen balance occurs when the body loses more nitrogen than the body gains. Neutral nitrogen balance occurs when gain equals loss and is not optimal for tissue healing. There is no such term as dependent nitrogen balance.