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A 60-year-old patient has been treated for pneumonia for the past 6 weeks. The patient is seen today in the clinic for an unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds over the last 6 weeks. Which is an appropriate rationale for this patient's weight loss?

  • A. Chronic diseases such as hypertension do not usually cause weight loss.
  • B. Weight loss is more likely due to underlying medical conditions than unhealthy eating habits.
  • C. Unexplained weight loss often accompanies short-term illnesses.
  • D. Weight loss is not typically caused by mental health dysfunctions.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Unexplained weight loss in a patient with pneumonia could indicate an underlying short-term illness or a chronic condition like endocrine disease, malignancy, depression, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia. Hypertension is not commonly associated with weight loss; it usually leads to weight gain due to fluid retention. Unhealthy eating habits are less likely to explain significant unexplained weight loss over a short period. Mental health dysfunctions can affect appetite but are not typically primary causes of significant unexplained weight loss.