How can nurses assess a patient's nutritional status?
Nurses can assess a patient's nutritional status through various methods:
Dietary history - Reviewing the patient's daily food intake and eating habits. Physical examination - Checking for signs of malnutrition, such as weight loss, muscle wasting, and skin changes. Anthropometric measurements - Measuring height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Laboratory tests - Evaluating blood and urine samples for nutrient deficiencies and metabolic disorders.