In acutely ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), what is the recommended protein intake?

• A. 0.5-0.8 g/kg/day
• B. 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day
• C. 1.5-2 g/kg/day
• D. 2.5-3 g/kg/day

Answer: (C)

CRRT increases daily protein losses and the catabolic stress of critical illness, so protein intake must be higher to maintain nitrogen balance, lean body mass, and immune function. Providing about 1.5 to 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day helps replace amino acids lost in the CRRT effluent and supports healing and recovery. For a patient weighing 70 kg, that would be roughly 105–140 g of protein daily. Lower amounts don’t compensate for the losses and the hypercatabolic state, while substantially higher intakes haven’t shown added benefit and may unnecessarily burden metabolism.