How many calories per kilogram per day should the nurse suggest to promote proper wound healing?

• A. 15-20 kcal
• B. 20-25 kcal
• C. 25-30 kcal
• D. 30-35 kcal

Answer: (D)

Wound healing requires extra calories to fuel tissue repair, immune activity, and cell turnover. Providing enough energy helps ensure proteins and other nutrients are available for synthesis of new tissue and for the inflammatory and proliferative phases of healing. For adults with wounds, about 30-35 kcal per kilogram per day is the commonly recommended target. This level supplies the energy needed to support healing processes without excessive energy that could promote fat gain, while lower ranges (15-20, 20-25, or 25-30) often fall short of the demands of repair and can slow healing, increase muscle catabolism, and raise complication risk. In practical terms, a 70-kg patient would aim around 2100-2450 kcal daily, adjusted for activity and stress, with the 30-35 kcal/kg/day range providing a reliable guideline for promoting proper wound healing.