In comparing nutrition status, which statement reflects the difference between compensated viral diseases and alcoholic liver disease?

• A. Viral diseases always malnourished
• B. Viral diseases not severely malnourished
• C. Viral diseases more malnourished
• D. Both equally malnourished

Answer: (B)

In compensated viral liver disease, liver function is still maintaining enough to prevent severe metabolic derangements, so nutritional status is usually not severely malnourished. Alcoholic liver disease, by contrast, is commonly associated with significant malnutrition due to reduced dietary intake, malabsorption, and altered metabolism from chronic alcohol use, which worsens with disease progression. That’s why the statement that viral diseases are not severely malnourished best reflects the difference. The other options imply universal malnutrition with viral disease or equal/more malnutrition in viral disease, which doesn’t fit the typical pattern.