Nurses use various tools and techniques to conduct a nutritional assessment. These may include:
1. Dietary History: Asking about the patient’s usual diet, food preferences, and any dietary restrictions. 2. Physical Examination: Observing physical signs of malnutrition, such as weight loss, muscle wasting, or edema. 3. Anthropometric Measurements: Measuring height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). 4. Laboratory Data: Reviewing blood tests for indicators such as albumin, prealbumin, and glucose levels.
